Your pillow will always come with an instructions label. Before deciding to wash or dry clean your pillow, read the instruction label.
Wash vs. Dry Clean
If your instructions advise you to only dry clean your pillow, do not attempt to wash it just to save a trip and few dollars. Take your pillow to the dry cleaners and ask them to do the job.
Machine Wash vs. Hand Wash
If you are going to wash you pillow in the washing machine, try and do so in a separate cycle without any other linen or washing. Pillows should always be washed on delicate cycle. This prevents them from losing their shape.
Pillows have different fillings and therefore, for best results always use a mild soap, if possible avoid laundry powder detergent. Liquid soap is usually the best option to go with. When the wash cycle has finished, go through the rinse cycle at least two to three times to make sure all the soap has been completely washed out. Do the same for the spin feature to take out the maximum amount of water from the pillows.
If you are washing your pillows by hand, fill a tub with warm water, mild liquid soap and a few drops of bleach. Immerse the pillow completely into the water and cover the tub. Leave for about half an hour. Then squeeze the pillow a few times to get all the dirt out. Rinse under running water for at least 15 20 minutes, or till you feel that the soapy feel has disappeared. Place on a flat surface to get rid of excess water.
Drying
Whether you wash your pillows in a washing machine or hand wash them, it is important to make sure you have a completely dry and fluffy pillow.
Pillows require plenty of space in the dryer, so do not put any other articles to dry with them in the dryer. During the dry cycle add some new or clean tennis balls. As the pillows have filling in them, they will require a few cycles to be completely dry.
Once you feel they are dry, give them a few punches to bring back the fluffiness, and leave in an airy and moisture free room for a day or so, as there may still be some moisture deep inside the pillow that you may not be able to feel but is a perfect breeding ground for mould. Once finished, you are ready to use your pillows again.
