How to Wash Pillows: Down, Feather, Fiber and Memory Foam

Short answer: Down, feather and fiber pillows go in the washing machine, two at a time, warm water, gentle cycle, a small amount of detergent and an extra rinse. Dry them on low with a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls until they are completely dry inside, which takes longer than you think. Memory foam and latex pillows never go in the machine; spot-clean and air them, and wash the cover.

You need: mild liquid detergent, a washing machine (a front loader or a top loader without a center agitator is best), a dryer, and clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls. Time: about 2 hours including drying.

First, read the tag

The care label on the pillow tells you what is inside and whether it can be washed. Most down, feather, cotton and polyester-fill pillows are machine washable. Memory foam, latex and most buckwheat pillows are not. If the tag is gone, squeeze the pillow: a solid block of foam is not washable; a pillow that squashes and refills with loose fill is.

Machine-washable pillows

Step 1: Load two at a time

Wash pillows in pairs so the machine stays balanced. If you have a top loader with a center agitator, stand the pillows vertically on either side of it, or better, use a front loader or a laundromat machine, because an agitator can tear the fabric and clump the fill.

Step 2: Use less detergent than usual

A small amount of mild liquid detergent, about half what you would use for a normal load. Powder can leave grit in the fill, and too much soap of any kind leaves residue that attracts dirt. Skip fabric softener; it coats the fibers and makes the pillow flat.

Step 3: Warm water, gentle cycle, extra rinse

Warm water, not hot, protects the fill and the stitching. Use the gentle or delicate cycle, and add an extra rinse so no soap stays in the fill. If your machine allows it, run a second spin so the pillows come out as dry as possible.

Step 4: Dry completely

This is the step people get wrong. A pillow that is dry on the outside can still be damp in the middle, and a damp middle grows mildew. Dry on low or medium heat with two or three clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls, which beat the fill apart and stop it clumping. Stop the dryer every 20 minutes or so, take the pillows out, fluff them by hand and put them back. It can take an hour or more. Give the pillow a final squeeze in the center: if it feels cool or damp, keep going. On a dry, sunny day you can finish them outside.

Memory foam and latex pillows

Never machine wash or soak them. For a general refresh, take the cover off and wash that, vacuum the foam gently with the upholstery tool, and leave the pillow in the open air for a few hours, out of direct sun. For a stain, mix a little mild detergent in cool water, dab the spot with a cloth dipped in the suds, then dab with a cloth dipped in plain water, and press dry with a towel. Let it air for a full day before you put the cover back. Never wring or twist foam.

Hand washing

For a pillow that is washable but delicate, or a machine you do not trust, fill a bathtub with warm water and a little detergent, submerge the pillow, and squeeze it gently for a few minutes. Drain, refill with clean water and squeeze again until no suds come out. Press out as much water as you can without twisting, then dry as above.

Yellow stains

Yellowing is sweat and oil, and a normal wash lightens it but often does not remove it. For a whiter pillow, soak it before washing in a tub of hot water with a scoop of oxygen bleach dissolved in it for an hour or two, then wash as normal. This works on cotton and polyester covers; check the tag for down pillows, as some makers advise against it.

Keeping pillows clean longer

• Use a zippered pillow protector under the pillowcase. It catches the sweat and washes easily.
• Wash pillowcases weekly, protectors monthly.
• Fluff pillows every morning and air them on the bed with the covers thrown back.
• Give them an hour outside on a dry day now and then.

When a pillow is done

Fold it in half and let go. A pillow that stays folded has lost its loft and will not support your neck however clean it is. Lumps that will not fluff out, a smell that survives washing, or a pillow that has doubled in weight from years of absorbing, are the other signs. Fiber pillows last a year or two, down and feather a few years, foam two to three.

FAQ

How often should you wash pillows?

Every three to six months for the pillow itself, and weekly for the pillowcase. If you use a zippered pillow protector under the case, the pillow can go longer.

Why do pillows turn yellow?

Sweat, skin oil and drool soak through the case over months and oxidize into a yellow stain. It is harmless but it is also why pillows need washing. A protector stops most of it.

Can I put a memory foam pillow in the washing machine?

No. Foam tears apart in a machine and holds water for days. Spot-clean it, air it, and wash only the cover.

When should I replace a pillow?

Fold the pillow in half and let go. If it does not spring back, the fill is finished. Most fiber pillows last one to two years, down and feather two to four, and foam two to three.