Just like any other piece of linen, pillows have to be washed. Although pillowcases protect your pillows from allergens and soil buildup, these protective covers also have limits. Over time, the oils and sweat from your skin will make it through to your pillowcase fibers.

Washing your pillow and its cases makes you healthier; you practice good hygiene. Do this one or twice a year to make them last longer. However, different pillow fillings have other washing methods. If you do not have time to know and wash them, it is easier to contact a laundry service that provides this type of washing method.

Types of Bed Pillows

Before we proceed to the “how,” let’s determine which types of bed pillows you can wash.

• Buckwheat Pillows: You cannot wash this type of pillow. Instead, remove the filling and let it sit under the sun to sanitize it.
• Down and Feather Pillows: Washable pillow, but you have to use cold water and a gentle setting. 
• Memory Foam and Gel Pillows: You cannot wash this type of pillow. Let it sit under the sun to air out and sanitize it.
• Polyester and Down Alternative Pillows: You can wash and dry.

How to Wash Bed Pillows

You do not have to wash pillows often, which might damage their fluffiness. Wash the pillow covers more often, and clean the bed pillows quarterly.

1. Treat stains first. This is always the protocol when washing garments or linens. You can only achieve spot-free garments or linens if you remove the stain first, or the stain will go further after drying.
2. Empty pillow fillings and wash the cover. Pillow have stuffings inside. Follow the wash label from the manufacturer to determine whether the pillow filling is fine to wash or if you only have to let it sit under the sun.
3. Rinse the pillows thoroughly. After you have washed and cleaned the pillows, rinse them to avoid soap residue buildup. Soap residues become sticky and start to stink if it is not rinsed properly.
4. Go easy with the dryer. Do not use a high heat setting, which is unkind to the pillow. Its stuffings might melt when exposed to high temperatures. Although high heat is the best method to kill dust mites and bed bugs, leaving them under the sun is better than tumbling them in the dryer.
5. Shake out the pillow after drying them to ensure the fillings are evenly distributed.

Spot cleaning, washing, and drying pillow take a few hours. It is understandable if you do not have the time to do all these. Make sure you have treated the spots on the pillow before sending them for laundry pickup and delivery.

Final Takeaway

Pillows, not only pillow covers, from the bedroom, have to be washed. Bringing them to laundry regularly helps reduce the potential irritants that may have seeped through your pillow. This is essential for your health and hygiene. It helps prevent skin breakouts and gives you a much easier rest knowing your pillow does not have any dirt or mites.

Also Read: Maintaining Good Practices: GxP, Explained