There’s lots of talk about how often you should wash your bed sheets, but when it comes to your bed’s pillows, it’s a little less clear. At times, they might not even look like they need to be cleaned at all, making the pillows themselves extremely easy to overlook during your routine household chores. You know to wash your pillowcases, but you need to wash your pillows too.

When you think about just how often you actually use your pillows (aka, every single day), you might be tempted to run to the washer and clean them right away. However, they’re not as straightforward to clean as pillowcases, so you may not know where to start. Exactly how to wash and care for pillows is determined by the pillow’s material. From memory foam and latex to down and synthetic, you’ll want to make sure you’re washing your pillow based on the type you have.

To clear up any confusion, we reached out to a laundry and cleaning pro to break down exactly what you need to know for keeping your pillows clean. Ashley Matuska Kidder, the founder and CEO of Denver-based house cleaning service Dashing Maids, walks us through the pillow washing basics.

From how often you should be washing your pillows to when it’s officially time to replace them for good and how you should machine wash and dry them depending on their material, you’ll find everything about washing your pillows for a refreshed night’s sleep in this pillow washing guide.

The Hidden Bacteria and Dust Mites Living in Unwashed Pillows 

If you don’t wash your pillows on a regular basis, sweat, oil, skin cells and dust mites may build up. Eventually, that buildup may lead to odors and stains, along with the potential for allergies or breakouts.  

The Official Washing Schedule for Bedding

From pillowcases to pillow inserts, this is how often you should wash your bedding.

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How Often to Wash Your Pillowcases vs. Pillow Inserts

You should ideally wash your pillowcases every one to two weeks, Kidder tells us, which should be when you wash your sheets as well. However, there are certain factors that may impact needing to wash them more often. 

“If you have bad allergies, or if you tend to be a heavy sweater at night, or if you are prone to breakouts on your face or back,” make sure to wash your pillowcases more often (or, at the very least, stay on a strict once-per-week schedule), Kidder suggests.

If you have a pet that sleeps in your bed with you, this thinking also applies. Kidder recommends washing your pillowcase no less than one time per week if your furry friend sleeps with you. 

As for your actual pillow, Kidder suggests thinking of it as a seasonal chore. “The pillows themselves will most likely need to be washed once a quarter or every three months,” she says. If it smells or has yellow sweat stains, that’s also a good indicator it’s time to wash it.  

When to Replace Your Pillow Entirely 

There are a few telltale signs of needing to replace your pillow altogether. “If a pillow doesn’t ‘spring back’ when you press down on it,” she explains, “it likely needs to be replaced.” Or, if you wash the pillow and stains are still there, Kidder recommends buying a new one.   

Step-by-Step Washing Instructions by Pillow Material 

“Different types of pillows require different types of care,” Kidder says. Below are some of the rules of thumb to follow and tips to keep in mind depending on the type of pillow you have.

Down and Synthetic Pillows

To wash your pillows, you can place two in your washing machine so that they’re balanced. Then, “set a normal wash with cold water and an extra rinse cycle,” she says. You also want to make sure not to use too much detergent, she says.

For drying pillows, put your dryer on low heat with a slow spin, and make sure they’re fully dry before putting pillowcases back on them.  

Memory Foam and Latex Care

Memory foam and latex pillows can only be spot cleaned, Kidder says, meaning they can’t be machine washed. After spot cleaning them by hand, she also advises letting them fully dry. 

Are Pillow Protectors Worth It? 

Pillow protectors are absolutely worth it, Kidder tells us. Not only do they help extend the life of your pillows, she says, but they also help reduce how often you need to wash them altogether and are less expensive than replacing pillows. However, if you do use pillow protectors, you’ll want to make sure to wash them regularly, Kidder advises.   

Source:

• Ashley Kidder, founder and CEO of Dashing Maid