To wash pillows, check the care label, then wash two down or polyester pillows together on a gentle, warm cycle with a little detergent, add an extra rinse and spin, and tumble dry on low with dryer balls until completely dry. Memory foam and latex pillows can't go in the washer, so spot clean or hand wash them.
You rest your head on a pillow every night, and keeping it clean is important for your health. Pillows collect dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat and drool night after night, and the buildup turns them yellow and gives them a stale smell. The pillowcase takes most of it, but the pillow underneath still needs a proper wash every few months.
What you'll need
- A mild, low-sudsing detergent
- A soft-bristled brush and a spot remover for stains
- Spot treatment like white vinegar, or a natural dish detergent mixed with baking soda, for natural stain removal
- Wool dryer balls, or clean tennis balls in socks
- A bathtub or large basin if you're washing by hand
Check the label: which pillows can be machine washed
| Pillow fill | Washer? | How to dry |
|---|---|---|
| Down and feather | Yes, gentle cycle, warm or cool water | Dryer on low with dryer balls, until fully dry |
| Polyester and down alternative | Yes, gentle cycle, warm water | Dryer on low or medium with dryer balls |
| Shredded memory foam | Only if the label says so | Usually air dry, or follow the label |
| Solid memory foam | No, spot clean or hand wash gently | Air dry flat, out of direct heat |
| Latex | No, spot clean only | Air dry, out of direct sun |
| Buckwheat | No, empty the hulls and wash the case | Air dry the case before refilling |
How to wash pillows in the washing machine
This works for down, feather and polyester pillows.
- Take off the pillowcases and any protectors and wash those with your sheets.
- Treat stains first. Wet the area with warm water and apply your stain remover. Then gently use your brush, or fold the fabric on either side of the soiled area and rub them together in alternating motions to help the treatment lift the stain. Leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, or 30 minutes to an hour for heavy stains.
- Wash two at a time so the drum stays balanced. A front-loader or an HE top-loader with no agitator is gentlest. If your top-loader has an agitator, stand the pillows upright on either side of it so they don't wrap around it.
- Go easy on detergent. Too much soap is hard to rinse out of the fill and can leave down flat and clumpy. If you use HeySunday sheets, two pillows count as a medium load: lay 2 sheets on top of the pillows.
- Choose a gentle cycle in warm water, or cool water for down if the label asks for it. Hot water strips the natural oils that keep feathers fluffy.
- Add an extra rinse to clear the last of the soap, then spin once or twice more. The more water you get out now, the quicker they dry.
How to wash pillows by hand
Hand washing is the gentlest option, and it's the way to fully wash a foam pillow when the label allows it.
- Fill a clean bathtub or large basin with lukewarm water and dissolve 1 detergent sheet in it.
- Push the pillow under and knead it the way you'd knead dough, to work the soapy water through the fill. For foam, press and squeeze. Wringing or twisting can tear it.
- Drain the tub and refill it with clean water. Squeeze the pillow again to rinse, and repeat until the water runs clear and there are no suds.
- Press out as much water as you can. Rolling the pillow inside a dry towel helps.
For more on washing anything by hand, see our guide to hand washing clothes.
How to wash a memory foam pillow
Keep a foam pillow out of the washing machine, where it can be permanently damaged. Solid memory foam breaks apart in the drum and takes a very long time to dry. Unzip and wash the cover on its own, then vacuum the foam with an upholstery attachment.
For marks, use a clean rag or towel to rub the treatment into the stain, because pinching the fabric of a tight foam cover is hard. Rinse by dabbing the area with the same rag and warm water until it's clear. If the pillow needs a full clean, hand wash it as above, pressing gently, and let it dry flat somewhere airy for a day or two. A zip-up pillow protector saves you most of this work.
How to dry pillows
Pillows have to dry all the way through, or a damp middle turns musty and can grow mildew within days. Tumble down, feather and polyester pillows on low heat with two or three dryer balls to break up clumps of fill, and take them out every 30 minutes or so to fluff them by hand. Down can take a few cycles, so keep going until there are no damp clumps when you squeeze it.
Foam, latex and anything labeled "do not tumble dry" should air dry flat on a rack, turned now and then. Keep foam out of direct sun and away from radiators, which can make it brittle.
Once they're dry, hold a down pillow by the corners of one side at a time and shake it up and down. Squeeze a polyester pillow from the sides toward the middle. Foam pillows fluff better with a chopping or kneading method, which spreads the fill out evenly.
How often to wash pillows
Although you may only wash your pillows every 4 to 6 months, pillowcases go in every week with your sheets. Wash pillows more often if you sweat a lot at night, sleep with pets or have been ill. Our guide to washing sheets covers the rest of the bed, and big items like duvets are in how to wash a comforter.
A washed pillow that stays flat may simply be worn out. Fold a polyester or down pillow in half, and if it doesn't spring back open, it's time for a new one. Lifespans vary by material and maker. Down pillows typically last 5 to 10 years, and foam pillows need replacing every 2 to 3 years.
Keeping pillows fresh between washes
A zip-up protector under the pillowcase does the most. Wash it every couple of weeks with your other linens. Fluff pillows each morning and leave the bed to air for a while before you make it, or toss down and polyester pillows in the dryer on an air-only setting with dryer balls for 20 minutes.
On a dry, breezy day, take them outside to air (out of direct sun for foam) and give them a gentle beating to knock out the dust.
People with allergies may want to wash pillows more often. Placing your pillows in a plastic bag in the freezer can also kill allergens and dust mites when you're short on time.
Which detergent to use
Your face is on a pillow for eight hours a night, so a mild detergent that rinses out cleanly matters more here than on most loads. HeySunday laundry detergent sheets are low-sudsing, so less soap stays in the fill. There's a Fragrance Free version if you'd like your pillow to smell of nothing at all. A 60-sheet pack is $15 on a 30-day subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?
Most down, feather and polyester pillows, yes. Check for tears or loose seams first and stitch them up. A small hole can empty a pillow's fill into the drum during the spin. Solid memory foam and latex pillows should stay out of the washer.
How often should you wash pillows?
Every 4 to 6 months. Lean toward the shorter end if you go to bed with damp hair, face cream or hair oil. All three soak into the pillow and speed up the yellowing.
Why do pillows turn yellow?
Sweat, skin oils, drool and moisture from wet hair soak through the pillowcase and stain the fill and cover. A wash lightens it, but older yellowing may not fully come out. On a white polyester pillow, a soak in oxygen bleach before washing can lift more of it, if the care label allows. Don't use it on down.
How do you wash down pillows?
Two at a time on a gentle cycle in warm or cool water with a little mild detergent, then an extra rinse and spin, and a low dryer with dryer balls. A pillow that smells faintly of wet feathers after drying is still damp inside and needs another cycle.
How do you dry pillows after washing?
Down, feather and polyester go in the dryer on low with dryer balls, and foam and latex air dry flat. To check a pillow is done, squeeze the middle: any cool or clumpy spots mean it needs longer. A dry bath towel in the dryer with the pillows soaks up moisture and speeds things up.
