Can Pillows Be Washed?

Pillows with Covers

• Remove pillow cases from bed pillows. What to do about covers on throw pillows depends on a few considerations. If the throw pillow cover has a removable cover, definitely take it off and clean it separately. If the cover is not removable, you have a couple of options. Unpick a seam until you have an opening big enough to remove the pillow, or you can wash the pillow with the cover on it.

  If the pillow still has its tags, look to see what the pillow cover is made of. Any kind of synthetic fabric you should be able to leave on the pillow. Other fabrics such as silk, 100-percent wool or 100-percent cotton, would be a little risky to wash and dry on the pillow. Remove the covers and sew them back on once the pillow is dry.

Foam Pillows

• Wash foam pillows in the sink or a bathtub. Use hot water to kill dust mites and a gentle detergent. Squeeze the soapy water through the pillow several times. Refill the sink or tub with clean water. Squeeze clean water through the foam pillow until no more bubbles appear. You may need to change the water. Squeeze out the excess water using large towels (do not wring the pillow). Air dry, preferably outdoor in the sun. Foam pillows melt in the dryer.

Feather Pillows

• Wash feather pillows in the tub using the same procedure described above for foam pillows or in the washing machine using a detergent formulated for delicate items. Use only a front-loading washer --- the agitator in a top-loader will ruin the pillow.

  Drying feather pillows properly is important. You cannot just dry them and expect to fluff them later. They must be fluffed as they dry. Place a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with the pillows. Dry only two pillows at a time, if you are using a home-sized dryer. Dry feather pillows on low heat. Stop the dryer every 20 minutes or so to fluff them by hand. Do not try to hurry the drying process by using high heat as the feathers will clump.

Pillows Filled with Cotton or Other Batting

• Wash pillows filled with batting in the washing machine on gentle cycle, using a detergent for delicate items. Use a front-loading washer and put only two pillows in a home-sized washer. Dry in a dryer using a medium to high heat.