When was the last time you washed your bed pillows? If you’re worried that you will ruin your favorite pillow or that your pillow isn’t washable, most pillows can easily be laundered and returned to their original glory. (And for me, all the gunk that they’re holding onto – bacteria, dust mites, dead skin cells, etc. makes it worth the risk of washing it). Fibre Pillow washing is easiest in a high-capacity, front-loading machine, but can just as easily be accomplished with a top loading machine as well.
If you like a soft, squishy pillow at night but can’t afford or are allergic to down, a polyester fibre filled bed pillow may be your best choice. Polyester filled pillows are less expensive; are hypo-allergenic, and easy care. You’ll find them in a number of thicknesses and degrees of firmness and covered with a variety of breathable fabrics from cotton to linen to bamboo.
How to Wash and Clean Polyester Filled Bed Pillows
Your bed pillow is used every night and should be cleaned regularly. One way to help maintain a clean pillow is to use a removable pillow cover made with a breathable fibre that is machine washable. The cover should be washed at least once per week using hot water and more often during hot weather or if someone is ill.
If you use a pillow cover and clean it regularly, your polyester filled pillow should only need to be washed once or twice a year unless there is a spill or accident. Before you wash, check the pillow carefully for rips and tears and mend them or you’ll have a washer tub full of fluff!
Check for any specific stains that will need extra attention. Treat them with a stain remover or use a bit of liquid laundry detergent to pretreat the area.
Work in the stain remover with a soft brush and allow to work for at least fifteen minutes before washing the entire pillow.
If you have a standard top load washer with a center agitator, it is important to load two pillows into your washer to balance the machine. You may also need to add some towels to keep the washer operating smoothly.
For front load washers and high-efficiency top load washers, adding a couple of towels will help balance the load but one pillow can be washed alone successfully.
Use cold or warm water and only a small amount of detergent (one to two teaspoons) and select the gentle cycle. When the cycle is complete, run the pillows through an extra rinse cycle to insure that all of the detergent is rinsed away.
You can also hand wash the pillows by filling a deep sink or bathtub with cool water and a small amount of detergent. Completely submerge the pillows and gently swish them through the water. Squeeze to distribute the cleaning solution throughout the filling. Drain the soapy water and rinse with clear water several times until no soap remains. Gently squeeze the pillow to remove excess water. Do not twist or wring excessively.
How to Dry Polyester Filled Bed Pillows
Fluff the filling before you put the pillows in the dryer. Add wool dryer balls, clean tennis balls or clean canvas shoes to help break any clumps. The dryer should be set on low to medium heat. Stop the dryer every 15 minutes and re-fluff the pillows by hand. It will take longer than a normal load to get the pillows completely dry.
Best way is to pick a sunny, breezy day to wash polyester filled pillows so that you can put them outside in the sun for a final dry.
How to Freshen Polyester Filled Bed Pillows
If the pillow just needs to be freshened, begin by removing the protective cover and tossing it in the wash. You can spritz the pillow with a fabric refresher or sprinkle the entire pillow with baking soda, covering it well.
Allow the baking soda to sit on the surface for at least an hour and then vacuum it away using the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum. This will help absorb odours and the vacuum will remove any dust mites or pet hair that might be on the pillow.
Flip the pillow over and repeat.
Check for any specific stains that need spot cleaning. To treat small stains, mix one tablespoon of dish washing soap in two cups of lukewarm water.
Dip a clean white cloth into the solution and gently blot from the outside of the stain toward the centre. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred. Once the stain is gone, dip a clean white cloth in plain water and blot to remove any remaining soap. Allow the pillow to air dry completely. If you must speed the drying process, use a hair dryer set on cool to dry the spot cleaned area or place in the dryer on low heat.
With a little extra attention, your favorite pillows can feel like brand new again. So go ahead – wash and dry them and look forward to a good night’s sleep.
Cosee Sleep Gears are all machine washable both in top load and front load washing machines.