You wash your bedding accessories at least once weekly to keep them clean and pristine, but what about the pillows? It can be easy to forget your pillows among the long list of your laundry, but cleaning them can actually give you various benefits. Like your mattress and bed sheets, your soft and comfortable sleep companions can also house bacteria, odours, not to mention bugs and lots of allergens.
You spend at least seven hours a day sleeping on your pillow. This means that dirt, oils, sweat, and dead skin cells come into contact with your sleeping surface and eventually stick to its materials. Due to the build of a pillow, washing the covers or spraying disinfectant is not enough to fully tackle the dirt that can seep through its filling.
To avoid nasty elements and allergens from living in your pillow, it’s important to wash it at least twice a year.
Here are the best tips to keep your pillows fresh and comfy.
Why is it Important to Wash Your Pillows?
Your pillow might look clean at a glance, especially when you’re using pillowcases or shams. But the truth is that your pillow catches dirt and moisture that may not be visible at first but may build up and cause yellow or brown stains.
Pillows also catch dead skin cells that attract dust mites, which in turn trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Your pillow can also absorb sweat, body oils, and drool, which may cause mould growth. All of these can pose threats to your health, especially if you have existing allergies and respiratory issues.
Overall, washing your pillows regularly can cut down on these irritants and preserve their quality for a longer time.
Can All Pillows Be Washed?
Most pillows, including those with cotton, down, and fiberfill, can be washed, but it’s always good to read the care label. There are also instances where dry cleaning is better suited for your pillow. Take foam pillows as an example.
Can You Wash Your Pillows Using a Washing Machine?
Yes, some pillow types are machine washable. Down and feather pillows can be washed in a gentle cycle with cool water and dried on low heat. Polyester pillows can also be machine washed with warm water but with less detergent.
If the pillows are machine-wash safe, consider their sizes before putting them in the washer since they can get very heavy once they absorb moisture. Also, make sure that your washing machine is set to a gentle cycle so the pillows can be cleaned without damaging the fill.
When it comes to the type of washing machine, a front-loader washer or a top-loading washing machine without an agitator is the best for gently cleaning the pillows. A top-loading washing machine can also be used to clean machine-washable pillows. However, when doing this, place your pillows vertically into the washing machine to prevent the agitator from damaging the materials.
How Often Should You Wash Your Pillows?
While your bed sheets and blankets should be washed at least once a week, pillows and mattresses can be washed less often. Ultimately, a pillow should be washed at least every six months. To keep your pillows pristine, you may wash or spot-clean your pillows at least every three months or four times a year, especially if you have allergies or if you allow your pet to sleep in your bedroom.
How to Effectively Wash Your Pillows
Air Out Your Pillows
Whether you are deep cleaning your pillow or letting it breathe when washing your bedding accessories, airing out your pillows can help you get rid of excess moisture that causes mould and odour buildup.
Pretreat Your Pillows
Before putting your pillows in the washer, make sure to treat deep stains or liquid stains beforehand. Depending on how stubborn the stain is, you can pretreat stains with a mild soap, white vinegar solution, or enzyme cleaner.
Always check the care label before using any solution on your pillows, especially since pillow fills react differently with chemicals.
Run a Gentle Wash Cycle
If your pillow is machine washable, you can run a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Depending on the size of your washing machine, you can wash two pillows in the tub at the same time. Doing this can create a well-balanced cycle while cleaning your pillows in the shortest possible time.
When washing a down pillow, use cold water and mild detergent to prevent damage. Afterwards, dry the down pillow in low heat. A polyester pillow, on the other hand, should be washed with warm water and less detergent.
We recommend hand washing memory foam and latex pillows since their materials are more susceptible to damage due to agitation. To treat stubborn stains, gently spot-clean the affected area with mild soap and water without soaking the foam materials.
Thoroughly Dry Your Pillows
After washing, make sure to thoroughly dry your pillows to prevent odour and mould growth. Some pillow types can be dried in moderate heat. To speed up the process, add some towels to the dry cycle or dryer balls to prevent the pillow fill from clumping. A gentler choice is to hang your pillows to dry on a sunny day until no moisture is left. This can also help with tackling odours.
When Should You Replace Your Pillows?
While pillows can be cleaned at least twice a year, many types are meant to be replaced every year or every two years, depending on their materials. This is to ensure that the structure of your sleeping surface is optimal to provide your head and body with the right support. Pillows that are cleaned well will last longer than those that are not properly maintained.
Since you use your pillows for almost ⅓ of your life, it’s important to always monitor their quality and cleanliness. Not switching up your pillows can lead to a lack of support during sleep and frequent allergy attacks. If you frequently wake up with neck pain and sneeze a lot when trying to sleep, it’s time to change your pillow.
When buying a new pillow in Singapore, make sure to carefully consider the materials, your sleeping position, and comfort preference. Of course, it’s important to choose ones that are breathable so you can stay fresh and cosy through the night.
Sleep Cosy with Somnuz
From supportive pillows to high-quality mattresses, Somnuz offers a range of premium sleeping solutions to fit your requirements.
Check out our online collection or visit our experience centres to test out the Somnuz quality in person.