Wash down, feather, and polyester pillows every three to six months. That's the rule of thumb in IKEA's pillow washing guide (in German). Memory foam and latex are different: the foam insert doesn't go in the washer at all, only its cover. Pillowcases are a weekly job that goes in with your sheets.
Why wash the pillow, not just the case?#
A pillowcase is thin. Sweat, skin oil, drool, and hair product soak straight through it into the filling, which is why an old pillow under a clean white case is often yellow and blotchy. Over months that filling also collects skin flakes, which dust mites feed on. Washing the case every week keeps your face off the worst of it. Washing the pillow every few months deals with what got past the case.
A zippered pillow protector between the pillow and the case slows all of this down a lot. It's cheaper to wash a protector monthly than to replace pillows early.
Which pillows can go in the washing machine?#
| Pillow type |
Machine washable? |
How |
| Down and feather |
Usually |
Gentle cycle, down detergent, low to medium tumble dry |
| Polyester or down alternative |
Usually |
Gentle cycle, up to 60°C if the label allows |
| Wool |
Often |
Wool or delicate cycle at 30°C, low tumble or air dry |
| Solid memory foam |
No |
Wash the cover; spot-clean and air the foam |
| Shredded memory foam |
Only if the label says so |
Otherwise treat it like solid foam |
| Latex |
No |
Spot-clean; never soak or wring |
| Buckwheat |
Shell only |
Empty the hulls first; they must stay dry |
The temperatures above come from IKEA's duvet and pillow care guide, which also notes that 60°C is hot enough to kill dust mites. Your own pillow's label wins if it says something different. If the label has been cut off and you can't tell what's inside, don't guess. Unzip the cover if there is one and look.
How to wash a down or polyester pillow#
- Take off the case and protector. Check the seams; a split seam will empty feathers or fiberfill into your machine.
- Wash one pillow at a time. IKEA's reasoning is that a soaked pillow gets heavy enough to strain the machine. If the drum knocks out of balance, add a couple of towels.
- Use about a third of your normal detergent dose, on a gentle cycle. For down and feather, use a down detergent, since regular detergent can strip the natural oils from the feathers.
- Add an extra rinse. Leftover soap is what makes washed pillows feel stiff and clumpy.
- Run an extra spin to get as much water out as possible before drying.
How to dry a pillow properly#
This is the step that goes wrong. Pillows feel dry on the outside long before the center is, and a damp core turns musty within days.
- Put the pillow in the dryer right after the wash, on low or medium heat.
- Add two clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to break up clumps.
- Every 20 to 30 minutes, take it out and work the filling apart with your hands, especially in the corners.
- When you think it's done, squeeze the middle hard. If it feels cool or heavy, or if down smells faintly like wet dog, it needs more time.
Air drying is fine for polyester if you have a warm, dry day, but turn it often and expect it to take a day or more. Down really needs the dryer to fluff back up.
How to clean a memory foam pillow#
Don't put the foam in water. Tempur-Pedic's pillow care page says not to wash or submerge the insert unless the product's own instructions say it's washable. Wash the removable cover in cold water with a mild detergent and hang it to dry.
For the foam itself, spot-clean a stain with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, blot it dry, and let the pillow air out fully before putting the cover back. Tempur-Pedic suggests refreshing filled pillows by rolling them up tightly like a sleeping bag, unrolling, and rolling the other way.
Signs your pillow needs washing sooner#
- It smells when you put your face in it, even with a fresh case
- New yellow patches have appeared through the protector
- Someone was sick and sleeping on it
- A pet has been on it
- Drink, makeup, or blood got through the case
When washing won't help#
If a pillow is still flat, lumpy, or smells after a proper wash and a full dry, it's done. Washing removes dirt; it doesn't rebuild broken filling. The guide on when to replace pillows covers the fold test and typical lifespans by material.
Pillows and duvets need the same big washer and long dry, so it makes sense to wash the duvet on the same weekend. Keep the pillowcases on the weekly sheet schedule. A ChoreLists.com reminder every four months covers the pillows without you having to remember when you last did them.