How to Clean Pillows to Keep Them Looking and Feeling New
How to Clean Pillows – Fiber-filled Pillows
Fiber-filled pillows flatten over time but don’t worry! You can restore their bulk quite easily. Put them in the washing machine about every three months, or as soon as they start to flatten, and wash in cold water on the shortest cycle.
You can also achieve the same “clean and bulk up” by washing your pillows by hand. Wash in cool water with a mild detergent. Press out all the water you possibly can and rinse the pillows at least three or four times to remove all suds. Hang the pillows to dry in a breezy, shady place, turning them frequently.
No matter which method you use, you’ll need to place the pillows in your dryer and dry them on the lowest dryer setting. Add a tennis ball to the dryer to really bulk them up. Now your fiber-filled pillows will be clean, fresh and bulky for another few months.
How to Clean Pillows – Feather Pillows
Feather pillows are easy to keep clean with a little regular maintenance. Wash these pillows in cool or cold water only and dry in a shady place. Never use hot water or even warm water to clean feather pillows. This can cause the pillows to begin emitting an unpleasant odor.
When drying feather pillows, shake and fluff them frequently to encourage even drying of the feathers inside. You can put feather pillows in the dryer once they are clean but only on the “air dry” setting. This will add some volume to pillows and really bulk up the feathers. Throwing a tennis ball into the dryer with your clean feather pillows will add all the extra fluff you could want.
How to Clean Pillows – Other Types of Pillows
All pillows will come with care instructions on the label. If you are unsure how to properly clean your pillows, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on the label so as not to damage them. Some specialty pillows will require specialty care.
How to Clean Pillows – Keeping Your Pillows Fresh
To keep your clean pillows fresh in between cleanings, place them in the dryer and dry on the lowest setting for about half an hour. Add a fabric softener sheet and perhaps a clean tennis ball.
