Check the label, wash by type, rinse twice, and dry fully with airflow.
If you want a simple, trusted plan on how to clean a pillow, you’re in the right place. I’ve cleaned thousands of pillows in homes and in a laundry studio. I’ll show you how to clean a pillow the right way, so it smells fresh, looks bright, and lasts longer—without guesswork.
Before You Start: Identify Your Pillow Type
Not all pillows like water. The first step in how to clean a pillow is to know what you own. Read the care tag. It tells you if your pillow is machine-washable, hand-wash only, or dry clean.
If the tag is gone, do a quick check. Down and feather pillows feel soft and airy. Polyester feels springy. Memory foam and latex feel solid and spongy. Buckwheat hulls feel like small shells. Each type needs a different method.
When clients ask me how to clean a pillow, I always say: match the method to the material. That one rule prevents damage and saves time.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Pillow in a Washer
This section covers most down/feather and polyester pillows. It is the fastest way to master how to clean a pillow at home.
- Load and balance
- Wash two pillows at a time to keep the washer balanced.
- Use a front-loader or a top-loader without a center agitator when possible.
- Choose the right settings
- Use warm water unless the tag says cold.
- Pick a gentle or bulky cycle.
- Add a second rinse if your washer allows it.
- Add safe cleaners
- Use a small dose of liquid detergent. Powder can leave residue.
- Skip fabric softener. It can coat fibers and trap odor.
- Extra rinse
- Always run one extra rinse. This is key to how to clean a pillow without soap left behind.
- Dry with care
- Tumble on low heat. Add two clean tennis balls or dryer balls to fluff.
- Pause to break up clumps by hand. Repeat until the pillow is dry to the core.
Real-world tip: I once thought a pillow was dry because the surface felt warm. It mildewed inside. Now I weigh it in my hands. If it still feels heavy or cool at the core, it needs more time.
How to Clean a Pillow by Material
Down or Feather
- Machine wash on gentle with warm water and a mild detergent.
- Dry low and slow with dryer balls. Expect 2 to 3 full cycles.
- If it smells birdy, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. The smell will fade as it dries.
Polyester or Microfiber
- Machine wash warm on gentle. Use a small amount of detergent.
- Dry on medium or low with dryer balls. It dries faster than down.
- If the pillow clumps, break clumps by hand while warm.
Memory Foam or Latex
- Do not machine wash. Water and spinning can tear foam.
- Vacuum both sides. Spot clean with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap.
- Deodorize with baking soda. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum again.
- Air dry flat, away from sun and heat.
Buckwheat Hulls
- Do not wash the hulls. They will mold.
- Empty hulls into a container. Wash the cover. Sun the hulls for 1 to 2 hours to freshen.
- Replace hulls if they smell musty or feel damp.
Gel or Hybrid Foam
- Follow memory foam rules. Spot clean only.
- Check seams and gel pads. Do not soak or wring.
If you search how to clean a pillow and feel stuck, start with the tag and test a small area first. Your pillow will thank you.
Stain Removal and Whitening That Works
Pillows turn yellow from sweat, oil, drool, and minerals in water. You can lift most stains with simple steps.
For washable pillows
- Pre-treat: Mix 1 part liquid detergent with 1 part warm water. Dab on stains. Wait 10 minutes.
- Boost: Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse to cut odor and residues.
- Brighten: Add 1 tablespoon of oxygen bleach to the wash for whites. Do not use chlorine bleach on down or delicate fills.
For foam pillows
- Spot clean only. Blot with a cloth dipped in warm water and a drop of mild soap.
- Rinse the cloth and blot again to remove soap. Do not soak the foam.
Pro tip from the field: Set-in yellow stains may lighten over two washes, not one. This is normal. Gentle repeats beat harsh chemicals.
If you wonder how to clean a pillow with heavy yellowing, pair oxygen bleach with sun. Sun helps brighten whites when fabric allows.
Drying, Fluffing, and Deodorizing
Drying is where many people go wrong with how to clean a pillow. Damp fill grows odor and mold. Dry the core, not just the cover.
Best practices
- Use low heat and more time for down and feather.
- Use medium or low heat for polyester.
- Add two to four dryer balls or clean tennis balls to break clumps.
- Pause the cycle every 30 minutes. Shake and fluff by hand.
Deodorize
- Add a half cup of baking soda to the drum during drying for odor control.
- Air pillows outside on a dry, breezy day after machine drying. Fresh air works wonders.
Quick test
- Hug the pillow. If you feel cool or damp inside, keep drying.
- Smell the seam area. Lingering musty odor means more time is needed.
Learning how to clean a pillow well ends with this step. Dry slow, finish strong.
Deep Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Allergy Relief
If you have allergies, dust mites are the main target. Here is how to clean a pillow for a deeper result.
What helps most
- Wash washable pillows every 2 to 3 months in warm water.
- Dry at least 45 minutes on medium or low. Heat and dryness reduce mites.
- Use pillow protectors with zip closures. Wash them monthly.
- For foam pillows, vacuum weekly with a HEPA tool and use protectors.
Extra options
- Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse to reduce odor and residue.
- Sun exposure for 2 hours helps freshen and reduce moisture.
I have clients who saw fewer sniffles after they learned how to clean a pillow on a set schedule. Small habits make a big difference.
Maintenance: How Often to Wash and Protect
A good care plan keeps pillows fresh longer and saves money. It also makes how to clean a pillow faster each time.
Simple schedule
- Pillow protectors: Wash monthly.
- Polyester and down pillows: Wash every 2 to 3 months, or sooner if you sweat at night.
- Foam pillows: Vacuum weekly. Spot clean as needed. Wash covers monthly.
Smart habits
- Use two cases or a protector plus a case to block sweat and oil.
- Showering at night or removing makeup cuts yellowing and odor.
- Rotate pillows weekly so they wear evenly.
If you ever forget how to clean a pillow on time, set a phone reminder. Future you will be glad.
When to Repair or Replace a Pillow
Even perfect care has limits. Here is how to judge.
Replace if
- The pillow does not spring back when folded in half.
- It smells musty even after a full wash and dry.
- The fill leaks or the cover tears and cannot be sewn well.
- You wake with neck pain that goes away when you use a new pillow.
Repair if
- A seam opens but the fill is clean and fresh.
- A zipper breaks on a removable cover. Replace the zipper and keep going.
Knowing how to clean a pillow is great. Knowing when to let it go is part of good sleep hygiene.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these to protect your pillows.
- Skipping the care label. It is the best guide for your exact pillow.
- Using too much detergent. Extra soap leads to clumps and odor.
- High heat on down or foam. Heat can scorch or break fill.
- Drying once and stopping. The core often needs a second round.
- Machine washing foam. It tears and holds water.
When people ask how to clean a pillow without ruining it, these are the pitfalls I warn about first.
Tools and Supplies Checklist
Keep a small kit so cleaning is quick.
- Mild liquid detergent for delicates or down
- Oxygen bleach for whites
- White vinegar for odor control
- Dryer balls or clean tennis balls
- Pillow protectors with zippers
- A soft brush and a clean cloth for spot cleaning
- A handheld vacuum with a brush tool for foam
With the right tools, how to clean a pillow becomes a simple routine, not a chore.
Frequently Asked Questions of how to clean a pillow
How often should I wash a pillow?
Wash washable pillows every 2 to 3 months. Use protectors and wash them monthly to reduce buildup.
Can I put a pillow in the dryer?
Yes, most down and polyester pillows can go in the dryer on low or medium heat. Use dryer balls and dry until the core is fully dry.
How do I clean a memory foam pillow?
Do not machine wash it. Vacuum it, spot clean stains with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry flat.
What removes yellow stains from pillows?
Pre-treat with diluted liquid detergent, then wash with oxygen bleach for whites. Sunlight after washing can help brighten.
Is it safe to use bleach on pillows?
Avoid chlorine bleach on down and delicate fills. Oxygen bleach is safer for whitening most washable covers and fills.
Conclusion
Now you know how to clean a pillow with skill and confidence. Match the method to the material, rinse well, and dry the core. Use protectors and a simple schedule to keep pillows fresh and supportive.
Try one pillow today and note the difference in loft, smell, and sleep. If this guide helped, share it, subscribe for more home care tips, or leave a question so I can help you one-on-one.
Table of Contents