07 Jun How to Wash a Pillow?

Many people spend a third of their day and night in contact with bedding such as blankets, mattresses, pillows, etc. If you put these sleeping accessories under a microscope, you will be surprised by what you see because there’s dust in these items consisting of microscopic organisms that feed on dead skin cells. The only solution to control these organisms is regular washing of bedding such as blankets, mattresses, pillows, etc. This section will talk about the necessity and how to wash the pillow that we’re in contact with during the night.

 What goes on in our pillow?

Our bodies are constantly shedding dead cells in our sleep that aren’t visible to us, and if these cells accumulate in our bed, they will cause bugs to grow. Bed bugs and ticks are tiny bugs present in our bed and can be seen under a microscope. In addition to what has been said, our pillows are usually soaked in body fat and sweat. Now imagine that things in which we spend a third of our day and night are contaminated with all that has been described, and we ignore it just because we can’t see them. So it isn’t surprising if we suffer from a variety of skin allergies and weakened immune systems.

How to wash the pillow in the washing machine

• It would help if you first read the label on your pillow to make sure it’s washable. Then adjust the water temperature and other items according to the specifications on the label. If your pillow may not be labelled, it’s better to consider relatively cold water and a gentle wash. 
• It’s better to put each pair of pillows in the washing machine together and place them on both sides to maintain balance.
• Then add detergent and turn on the machine. Use liquid detergent instead of washing powder.

• Add half a cup of sodium carbonate to the water. Sodium carbonate helps to clean stains and whiten pillows.
• Add a few drops of lavender oil to the detergent to make the pillow smell nice.
• It would help if you rinsed them twice after the initial wash to make sure there’s no detergent left.
• After washing, place the pillows in the dryer until they’re dehydrated, puffy and get their previous shape. You can put a few tennis balls in the pillow to speed up the drying process and keep the fibres inside from sticking. If it isn’t possible to use the dryer, you can place them horizontally and lying in the open air to dry.

How to wash pillows by hand

If you want to wash your pillows by hand, pay attention to the following points:

• Follow the special instructions or the label on the pillows to wash them.
• Use a bathtub to wash.
• When you put the pillows in the tub, add the washing powder, gently wash, and rinse it.
• Allow the pillows to dry completely; otherwise, they may be shot inside.

Which pillow can’t be washed in the washing machine?

Foam pillows

Unfortunately, you can’t use a washing machine to wash foam pillows because the foam shot inside. You can use a damp cloth to wash these pillows in the washing machine. Lay the fabric on the inside surface of the pillow or moisten it. Then put it in the washing machine only on the dryer and leave it for 20 minutes to clean.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust. To make this easier, lower the suction level. If the pillow inside isn’t dirty, you can remove the pillowcase and wash it separately. Just shake and remove the dust inside the pillow. Some foam pillows are washable, but to wash them, you must follow some tips, such as:

• To wash these pillows, be sure to follow the special instructions and the label on them.
• Wash gently as the foam can tear very easily when it’s wet.
• Wash the pillowcase every month and don’t allow dirt to penetrate inside.
• Fill the inside of your pillow with fibre that is easier to wash.
• When the pillows aren’t completely dry, don’t cover them and avoid putting them on the bed or using them.
• Shake the pillows before washing them to remove dust.
• Use cold water to wash the pillows and dry them cold.
• After washing the pillows, be sure to dry them in the open air and sunlight.

Feather pillows

it would be best if you washed the feather pillow every six months. This washing will completely remove dust and bacteria from the feathers and pillow’s surface. By washing the feather pillow, its freshness returns, and it will be like the first day. All feather pillows fit in any washing machine.

To wash this pillow, first, take it out of the pillowcase. Thoroughly check for decay or puncture on the pillowcase. If you see any decay, repair it to prevent the feathers from coming out. Use less detergent (half the amount you always use for clothes) to wash pillows. Hot water and low washing speed are great. Put two pillows in the washing machine for more balance. If it doesn’t fit in the car, squeeze it as much as possible to remove excess air. Use cold water for rinsing, and if you wash the pillow by hand, rinse two to three times to remove the detergent. Finally, use a medium heat washer dryer and take the pillow. Shake it every half hour to return the pillow to its normal shape.

Fibre pillows

it would help if you also washed fibre pillows every six months. You should check it first for any rot or hole on the pillowcase for this pillow, then washed like a feather pillow in warm water, low speed, and a small amount of detergent. Finally, rinse your pillow with cold water and dry it.

Memory Foam pillows

Due to the foaming nature of memory foam pillows, they aren’t machine washable in any way. To keep these pillows clean at all times, they usually use a special washable cover. Thus, every three months, remove the pillowcase from the pillow and wash it in the washing machine. Also, expose the memory foam to direct sunlight for a few hours in the open air. If there’s a stain on the memory foam pillow, you should remove it as soon as possible using the staining technique and according to the type of stain.

Of course, there’re solutions for washing memory foam pillows by hand. First, you should use a hot water bath and a tablespoon of laundry detergent to immerse the foam in water completely. Then, by hand pressure, remove the contaminants and rinse with cold water. You can’t use a dryer as the heat for these pillows will be destructive. So put a towel under it and expose it to sunlight to dry over time. Never take a damp pillow to your bedroom, as it will cause bacteria to grow and dry out later.

Fibreglass pillows

We recommend that you don’t put a fibreglass pillow in the washing machine as far as you can because it may accumulate inside the pillows. The best way to wash these pillows is by traditional method and by hand. Try to use low and regular detergents. After washing, place the pillow in the sun and massage the pillow again.

Sofa cushion

The sofa cushion isn’t used in a decorative and old way. It’s usually used as a small pillow on the couch or sofa. Therefore, you should wash the sofa cushion like a pillow once every six months. Most cushions on the market are made of fibreglass. If you want to wash the cushion, pay attention to the material inside the pillow.

The easiest way to protect the pillows and prevent them from getting dirty is to use a pillowcase. Pillowcases are available from plain cotton to thick and water-resistant types. Using them doesn’t make a difference in how you feel at rest, but it prevents stains and sweat from penetrating the pillow. To have a clean pillow, you need to aerate the pillow regularly. This method prevents the pillow from washing too much. By exposing it to the sun, you can disinfect and refresh the pillow. With regular washing and aeration of the pillow, you will increase its useful life. However, some pillows should be replaced after two years and others after four years due to their shape and texture loss. Keeping your pillow clean is just as important as keeping your mattress and sheets clean. Just as you’re very careful when choosing your medical mattress or pillows, you should do your best to keep the pillow clean. In addition to helping you stay healthy and prevent disease or insect infestation, it will be economical. You can leave the washing of your pillows to NeatEx and do your most important things and entertainment. Your health and vitality is our wish.