how to wash pillows

Pillows can be washed in a regular washing machine — but only if you do it correctly. The wrong water temperature, wrong spin speed, or wrong drying method can leave you with a clumped, misshapen, or mildew-smelling pillow. Done right, washing pillows removes sweat, skin cells, dust mites, and bacteria that build up even when you use a pillowcase.

Here's exactly how to wash pillows based on their fill type, and how to dry them so they come out fluffy rather than lumpy.

Quick Answer: How to Wash Pillows

• Down and feather pillows: Machine wash on gentle, warm water, mild detergent. Dry with two tennis balls or dryer balls on low heat.
• Polyester fill pillows: Machine wash on gentle or normal cycle, warm water. Dry thoroughly on medium heat with dryer balls.
• Memory foam pillows: Hand wash only or spot clean. Never put in the washer or dryer.
• Latex pillows: Hand wash or spot clean. No washer, no dryer.
• Frequency: Wash pillow fills 2-3 times per year. Pillowcases every 1-2 weeks.

Before You Wash: Check the Care Label

Every pillow has a care label inside or on the seam. Check it before washing anything. Some specialty pillows — particularly memory foam, latex, and buckwheat — cannot go in a washing machine at all. Washing them anyway can destroy the fill.

If the label says "spot clean only," that means exactly what it says. Use a damp cloth with a small amount of mild detergent to clean the outer shell and let it air dry.

How to Wash Down and Feather Pillows

Down and feather pillows are machine washable, but they need gentle handling to keep the fill from clumping.

What You Need

• Mild liquid detergent (or down-specific wash like Nikwax Down Wash)
• Two dryer balls or two clean tennis balls

Steps

1. Remove the pillowcase and any pillow protector.
2. Check for holes or tears. Any open seam will let feathers escape in the washer. Hand-stitch closed before washing.
3. Wash two pillows at once to balance the load and prevent the washer from spinning off-balance.
4. Use a gentle or delicate cycle with warm water. Hot water can damage down clusters.
5. Use a small amount of mild detergent — about half of what you'd normally use. Too much detergent is hard to rinse out of down fill and causes clumping.
6. Run an extra rinse cycle to make sure all detergent is removed.
7. Gently squeeze out excess water (don't wring). The pillow will feel very flat and wet at this point — that's normal.

Drying Down Pillows

This is the critical step. Down pillows must be completely dry before you put them back on the bed — damp down develops mildew fast and can smell musty for weeks.

1. Place the pillows in the dryer with two tennis balls or wool dryer balls. The balls break up clumps in the fill as it dries.
2. Dry on low heat. High heat can damage down.
3. Run multiple cycles — down pillows typically need 2-3 full dryer cycles (60 minutes each) to dry completely.
4. Stop the dryer every 30-40 minutes, remove the pillows, and fluff them by hand. Shake and punch them to redistribute the fill.
5. Pillow is dry when it smells clean (not musty), feels light, and the fill springs back when you squeeze it. If any part feels damp or heavy, put it back in for another cycle.

How to Wash Polyester Fill Pillows

Polyester fiberfill pillows are the most forgiving type. They're fully machine washable and dry faster than down.

1. Wash two pillows at once to balance the load.
2. Use a gentle or normal cycle with warm water.
3. Use a moderate amount of mild detergent.
4. Add an extra rinse cycle.
5. Dry on medium heat with dryer balls. Polyester fills are more heat-tolerant than down.
6. Check for dry, springy fill before removing from the dryer. Polyester pillows usually need 1-2 full dryer cycles.

How to Wash Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows cannot go in the washing machine. The agitation and water pressure will break down the foam structure, turning a $60 pillow into an unusable crumbled mess after one wash.

Spot Cleaning Memory Foam

1. Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water in a bowl.
2. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy water and wring it out until it's just damp.
3. Gently dab (don't rub) the stained area.
4. Use a second damp cloth (water only) to rinse the area.
5. Press a dry towel against the spot to absorb moisture.
6. Let the pillow air dry completely — at least 24 hours — before using it. Prop it up or stand it on its side so air can circulate around it.

To prevent foam pillows from needing spot cleaning, always use a waterproof pillow protector underneath your pillowcase.

How Often Should You Wash Pillows?

Wash your pillow fill (not just the pillowcase) every 3-6 months. If you sweat heavily at night, have allergies, or have been sick, wash them more frequently.

Your pillowcase should be washed every 1-2 weeks. A waterproof pillow protector between the pillow and pillowcase significantly extends the time between full pillow washes by protecting the fill from sweat and skin oils.

When to Replace a Pillow

Even with proper washing, pillows wear out. Signs it's time to replace rather than wash:

• Pillow doesn't spring back when you fold it in half and let go (polyester and down)
• Permanent yellow staining that doesn't wash out
• Persistent musty or sour smell even after washing
• Visible lumpiness or flat spots that don't fluff out
• Memory foam with permanent indentations or crumbling

Most pillows should be replaced every 1-2 years for polyester fill and every 2-3 years for quality down or memory foam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wash pillows in a top-load washer with an agitator?

Yes, but it's trickier. The agitator can twist and bunch the pillow fill. Wash two pillows at once and set them vertically in the drum (upright on their sides), not flat. Use the gentle cycle. A front-load or HE top-load washer without an agitator is better for pillows.

Why does my pillow smell musty after washing?

The fill wasn't completely dry before you stopped drying. Down and polyester fill can hold moisture in the center even when the outside feels dry. Run extra dryer cycles with dryer balls, and do the squeeze test — the fill should feel fully dry and spring back, not damp or heavy.

Can I wash throw pillows the same way?

It depends on the cover material. If the cover can be removed and the insert is polyester fill, the insert can be machine washed. Decorative covers with embellishments, embroidery, or delicate fabric should be spot cleaned or hand washed. Check the label on both the cover and the insert.

What if my pillow comes out lumpy after washing?

That's usually a drying problem, not a washing problem. Put it back in the dryer with tennis balls or dryer balls for another cycle, stopping every 30 minutes to fluff and knead the fill by hand. Most lumps break up with heat and agitation from the dryer balls.

Can you dry pillows on a clothesline?

Technically yes, but it takes many hours (12+ for down) and requires flipping and fluffing regularly to prevent clumping. The dryer-with-tennis-balls method is more reliable and faster for down and feather pillows.