A Guide to Cleaning Pillows

You probably clean your comforter and sheets meticulously, but when it comes to pillows, it can make you question everything you thought you knew about laundry techniques. Since pillows spend a lot of time next to faces, they can harbour bugs, bacteria, dead skin cells, dust mites and their droppings, and as a result, you should treat cleaning them as seriously as the rest of your bedding. For fresh and spotless pillows, Brian Sansoni, executive vice president for communications and membership for the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), tells us about how to clean a pillow.

Pillows filled with cotton, bamboo, synthetic fibres, and in some cases, feather and down are all machine washable using a gentle cycle. However, you should always read the cleaning instructions on the product label before cleaning, as many pillows have unique fills or added inserts, and when their cleaning instructions aren't followed, the inside fill of the pillow can deteriorate or lose support. It is not advised to wash foam pillows in a washing machine since the agitation may break the padding apart, and a similar rule applies to memory foam & latex pillows. Although these pillows are difficult to clean at home, there are other ways to keep them fresh and supportive longer. Memory foam pillows should be kept out of direct sunlight and somewhere dry with an even temperature to air out. Latex pillows, on the other hand, can be aired out in sunlight, with the UV rays assisting in helping kill any lingering bacteria. Both of these pillow types generally come with removable covers that are also machine washable, as we recommend washing these at least once a week. In addition, you can clean memory foam pillows and latex pillows using a vacuum cleaner to remove excess dust.

Another trick to help remove smells from non-machine washable pillows is to sprinkle the baking powder in a thin layer on the surface of the pillow and vacuum it after leaving it to sit for 10 minutes.

Unlike the rest of your bedding, pillows can stay fresh for longer, especially when they have a protective covering in place. A good wash or cleaning procedure should be performed on pillows at least once every six months. For pilows that cannot be washed, we recommend following their cleaning/airing procedure at least once every 3 months. On the other hand, pillowcases should be washed with other bedding at least once a week.

The importance of washing pillows can't be overstated, but it's wise to replace them when necessary. Sansoni recommends replacing the pillows every one to two years. Moreover, the National Sleep Foundation also endorses this timeframe; however, some types of pillows are more durable than others.

For machine-washable pillows, we also recommend loading the washing machine with two pillows at a time, as it helps balance the machine so that it spins evenly.

Likewise, spot treatment of pillows differs from washing pillows and offers a great solution for accidents or pillows that cannot be submerged in water. To spot-clean a pillow, dip a soft microfibre cloth in a mild soap solution, wring it to avoid excess water absorption, and gently rub at any soiled areas. With other types of pillows, if you have stains caused by liquids like blood or saliva, pre-treating them may help. For example, enzyme-containing detergents (digestants) can work.

Air-drying your pillows should only be done when the product cleaning instructions suggest it. The dryer may also be a good option if allowed by the label's instructions, and similar to loading the washing machine, we recommend placing two at a time to help balance the weight evenly. Dryer balls can also be used to help dry the pillows faster. Whatever you choose, do not place any memory foam fill pillows in the dryer, as heat will do unrepairable damage to the internal structure, and it will lose its support. Remove pillows when drying and fluff them frequently to avoid clumping.

Cleaning your feather and down pillow at home is possible despite appearing to require professional care. Feather and down pillows are typically not recommended for machine washing, but in some cases, it can be done. However, you can clean these pillows just as well by frequently airing them, exposing them to sunlight, and fluffing them up daily to avoid the feathers lining together the pillows losing their loft.