How to Get a Stain Out of a Polyester Throw Pillow

Remove the pillow case from the throw pillow, if possible.

Blot up fresh liquid stains with a paper towel or cloth. If the stain is dry and hard, tap it with your fingers to break up encrustation.

Find the source of the stain. The type of stain determines the method of treatment.

Treat the stain. For oil-based stains, and those caused by lipstick or crayon, dab the stained area with nail polish remover or detergent. To remove wine or ink, use undiluted white vinegar.

Dab blood, chocolate, ketchup and grape juice stains with a detergent and 3 to 6 percent ammonia solution.

Remove gum by freezing the gum with an ice cube. Scrape the gum off the pillow with your fingernail or a credit card. Follow with a solvent designed for use with fabrics.

Put the pillow in the washing machine, along with another pillow or a few heavy bath towels. This helps balance the load.

Add laundry detergent to the washing machine. Set the water temperature to warm. Allow the washing machine to fill with water.

Stop the washing machine when it fills with water. If you have a top-loading machine, push the pillows under the water to soak them thoroughly.

Let the pillows soak in the warm, soapy water for 15 minutes. Restart the washing machine after soaking.

Wash the pillows for four to eight minutes on the normal or gentle cycle. For a top-loading machine, turn each pillow over once or twice during the wash cycle.

Run the rinse cycle three times to remove as much water as possible.

Put the pillows and two tennis balls into the dryer. Tennis balls help the pillows keep their shape as they dry. Dry the pillows on low heat until no moisture remains.