Dust, dust mites, and molds can build up inside a pillow. And the surface can become a breeding ground for acne causing bacteria. To prevent both acne and allergies, you should regularly clean your pillow and pillowcase. In this article, you’ll learn how to wash the pillows and the pillowcase in a washing machine.

Can I wash any Pillow in the Washing Machine?

No, you can’t. Not every pillow fill enables you to wash the pillow in a washing machine. Materials that should not be washed in the washing machine include:

• Memory foam
• Latex

Both memory foam and latex get damaged when they are vigorously agitated while in contact with moisture. In fact, these foams disintegrate completely when thrown into the washing machine. So you must always spot clean pillows containing latex or memory foam fill. In some cases, depending on the material, you may even have to wash the pillowcase by hand. However, most traditional pillow fills can be washed in a washing machine. These materials include:

• Down
• Feather
• Cotton
• Fiber

What Setting Should I Use to Wash a Pillow in the Washing Machine?

To get the best results without damaging the pillow, you should ideally use:

• Slightly warm water
• Gentle Cycle

However, many manufacturers provide precise cleaning instructions so that the pillow can last longer. In such cases, it is better to rely on the instructions provided by the pillow’s manufacturer. Just to reiterate, don’t wash foam pillows in the washing machine.

What Type of Washing Machine is Suitable for Washing a Pillow?

Ideally, one without an agitator. But it hardly matters much. A gentle wash cycle with or without an agitator can be used to wash a pillow. Further, both top load and front load washing machines are appropriate for washing pillows.

What to do after I’ve Washed the Pillow?

Let it dry out in the sun. Drying a pillow out in the sun does the following:

• Gets rid of the moisture inside the pillow
• Gets rid of the odor
• Kills bacteria

Once the pillow is completely dry, you can fluff it up.

Cleaning Foam Pillows

Pillows that you can’t wash in a washing machine include:

• Memory foam pillows
• Latex pillows

Foam usually disintegrates when agitated in water. To clean these pillows, you can:

• Vacuum the surface
• Deodorize the foam
• Spot clean

Let’s take a deeper look into each of these methods. Note: These methods are only applicable on pillows containing solid foam.

Vacuum the Surface

To vacuum the surface, simply remove the pillowcase and, with preferably a hand held vacuum cleaner, vacuum the surface of the pillow. Once all the dust is vacuumed off of the surface, you can continue using the pillow. Note: you can also use a piece of cloth to dust off the surface of the pillow.

Deodorize the Foam

If you can smell odor coming out of your foam pillow, then it’s time to deodorize it. To deodorize a foam pillow, follow the steps provided below:

How to Wash a Pillowcase in the Washing Machine

Washing a pillowcase in the washing machine largely depends on the material used for the case. Some delicate materials must be hand washed in order to protect them from damage. Silk is one such item. To hand wash a pillowcase, follow the steps provided below:

1. Soak the pillowcase in water for 15-30 minutes.
2. Add detergent to the water.
3. Gently rub the pillowcase against itself in the water.
4. Rinse 3-4 times
5. Let it air dry.

Conclusion Washing your pillow every 6 months can not only help with hygiene but also with increasing its lifespan. While you wash or spot clean the pillow, it is essential to follow instructions on the basis of the pillow material. Use this article as a guide to how to wash the pillows in washing machine. 

FAQs

Q. Can you wash a down or feather pillow in the washing machine? Ans. Yes, you can wash a down or feather pillow in the washing machine. However, set the settings to gentle or delicate. And launder two pillows at once to balance the spinner. Q. Can I wash a memory foam pillow in the washing machine? Ans. No, you can’t wash a memory foam pillow in the washing machine. The padding of memory foam and latex gets destroyed when agitated in water. Instead, spot clean the memory foam to get rid of stains and deodorize with baking soda to get rid of the odor. Q. Can I wash a memory foam pillow in the washing machine? Ans. No, you can’t wash a memory foam pillow in the washing machine. The padding of memory foam and latex gets destroyed when agitated in water. Instead, spot clean the memory foam to get rid of stains and deodorize with baking soda to get rid of the odor.