Life Hack: How to clean pillows and how often do you need to wash them?
From treating stains to tackling odours, here's what you need to know about cleaning pillows.
You rest your head on it every night but when’s the last time you washed your pillow — not just the pillowcase? According to Persil, pillowcases should be washed twice a year to keep them fresh, hygienic, and free from dust mites.
While you should always refer to the care instructions, many cotton, down, and synthetic pillows can be washed quickly and easily in your washing machine.
Make sure the drum is large enough for the pillows. Place them in the machine with some detergent. If you can fit them, wash two pillowcases in the drum to maintain balance during the wash cycle. If you’re worried about your pillow snagging or fraying during the wash, you can place a pillowcase on it to protect the surface. Use a gentle wash cycle, making sure to check against the pillow’s care label. Gently squeeze out excess water when you remove them from the washing machine.
As a rule of thumb, foam pillows should never be put in the washing machine. Instead, hand wash them for the best results. Submerge the pillows in a clean bathtub or basin of lukewarm water mixed with some detergent. Gently squeeze and press the pillows before rinsing the pillows thoroughly to wash out all detergent.
Sometimes stains will transfer through the cover to the pillow itself. it is important to treat the stain as soon as possible. You can dab some detergent on the stain to pre-treat the affected area before washing the pillow as normal. If the pillow’s filling is feather or down, shake the feathers away from the affected area to isolate the stain before treating.
It is important to dry pillows fully after they have been washed — this helps to avoid mould and mildew developing. If the care label permits tumble drying, place the pillows in the tumble dryer on low heat before pacing them post-cycle pillows into the hot press for a couple of days to dry out fully. You can add a couple of tennis balls or dryer balls to the tumble dryer to help fluff the pillows and maintain their shape. If your pillows cannot be tumble-dried, let them air-dry in a well-ventilated room, or outside in the sun. Once dry, fluff the pillows to restore their shape.
To target lingering odours after washing your pillows, you can place the pillows in direct sunlight and fresh air for a few hours, flipping the pillows. Alternatively, sprinkle the pillows with bicarbonate of soda/baking soda and let it sit for a few hours. Shake off the excess and vacuum to remove the rest.
