How to Wash Pillows (By Fill Type)

Start With the Care Label

Pillow care labels override general guidance. Some pillows have removable washable covers and non-washable inserts; some are fully machine washable; some are spot-clean only. The label tells you which. If the label is missing or unreadable, use the type-specific guidance below as a default and start conservatively.

Memory Foam Pillow (Solid Block)

Method:

1. 1Unzip and remove the cover. Machine wash the cover on cold gentle with mild detergent, tumble dry low.
2. 2Vacuum the foam pillow itself with an upholstery attachment to remove surface dust and hair.
3. 3Spot-clean any stains with a microfiber cloth dampened with cold water and a drop of mild dish soap. Blot — don't rub or soak.
4. 4Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the foam, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly to deodorize.
5. 5Air-dry completely before replacing the cover — at least several hours with a fan.

Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Sometimes machine washable, sometimes not — check the care tag. Brands like Coop Home Goods generally require spot-cleaning only because the cover holds the shred in place. Some other brands have machine-washable covers but require the shred to stay out of the machine; you unzip, pour the shred into a container, wash the cover, and re-fill.

If the entire pillow is rated machine washable:

1. 1Wash on cold or warm gentle cycle with mild detergent
2. 2Run an extra rinse to remove all detergent residue
3. 3Tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls or tennis balls — high heat melts the foam shred
4. 4Plan for multiple cycles; the pillow must be completely dry before use

Down or Feather Pillow

Method:

1. 1Use a front-loading washer or commercial laundromat machine. Wash two pillows together to balance the drum.
2. 2Cold or warm water, gentle cycle, with a small amount of mild detergent (or specialty down wash like Nikwax Down Wash or Granger's)
3. 3Add an extra rinse — detergent left in down clumps it into hard knots
4. 4Tumble dry on low heat with three to four tennis balls or wool dryer balls to keep down from clumping
5. 5Drying takes multiple cycles — often 2 to 3 hours total. Pull the pillow out occasionally to fluff and break up any compressed areas.
6. 6The pillow must be completely dry before use. Damp down develops mildew quickly.

Polyester / Down-Alternative Pillow

Method:

1. 1Machine wash on warm gentle cycle with mild detergent
2. 2Run a second rinse to remove all detergent
3. 3Tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls; high heat scorches polyester fill
4. 4Pull out occasionally to fluff during the cycle
5. 5Confirm full dryness before re-using

Latex Pillow (Solid or Shredded)

Method:

1. 1Remove and machine wash the cover separately if removable (cold, gentle, low-heat dry)
2. 2Wipe the latex surface with a damp cloth using cold water and a drop of mild soap
3. 3Blot dry with a clean cloth — don't soak
4. 4Air-dry in a shaded area (direct UV shortens latex lifespan)

Buckwheat or Millet Hull Pillow

The hulls themselves don't wash. Open the pillow's zippered fill port, pour the hulls into a large bowl, and air them in a sunny window for several hours (UV freshens them and can kill some surface mites). Machine wash the empty cover on warm or cool with mild detergent. Refill the cover once the hulls have aired and the cover is fully dry.

How Often to Wash

• Pillowcases: weekly with the sheets
• Pillow inserts (washable types — down, polyester, cotton): every 3 to 6 months
• Pillow inserts (spot-clean-only — memory foam, latex): vacuum and deodorize every 3 to 6 months, spot-clean as needed
• Pillow encasements (under the pillowcase): every 4 to 8 weeks

When to Replace Instead of Wash

Pillows have a usable lifespan independent of how clean they are.

Drying Is Where Most Pillows Get Ruined

Two failure modes are common: pillows re-installed damp (mildew within days) and high-heat drying that melts polyester or scorches down. Both are avoidable. Run multiple low-heat cycles, pull the pillow out periodically to check fill distribution and dryness, and don't put it back in the pillowcase until it's fully dry throughout.