How To Wash Pillows

Cleaning pillows is something many people ignore. However, avoiding this can increase the chances of diseases due to dirt and bacteria in your home. You should clean pillows at least once every 3-4 months. Some don’t even know how to clean them.For them, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wash pillows at home.

Complexity Level: Basic

Time Required: 15-20 minutes

Resources Required:

  1. Washing machine
  2. Detergent
  3. Lukewarm and cold water
  4. Dryer

Instructions:

1. Washing style

Before you put your pillows for cleaning you must know its material. Fabric comes in different ways. Hence, its washing style also differs. You should know the fabric of your pillow so that you can effectively clean it without damaging. Before you start the cleaning process, make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions. The washing cycles of each pillow depends on its size. If the pillow is bung or king size then it must be washed separately. If it is of regular size then you can clean two pillows easily in one washing cycle.

2. Pillows size

There is no harm in cleaning the bed pillows. However, make sure that you don’t put more than two pillows in a machine. Then, add some liquid detergent in the machine. You should be careful while adding detergent in the machine. Adding to much of detergent will make it difficult to rinse pillows. If you add proper amount of detergent to clean the pillows it will give effective results. Make sure you don’t over-stuff the machine with pillows. You should keep some space in the machine so that pillows can move around the washer to get effectively washed.

3. Washing process

Once you put pillows and right amount of detergent then turn the machine on gentle cycle and let the pillows get cleaned for some time, say 20 minutes or so. During this time, do ensure in every few minutes that pillows are not damaged. You need to know whether they are in proper condition. You can place one tennis ball in washer and make sure that pillows don’t bunch up. Once the process of washing is finished, get the pillows out and squeeze the water gently out from them. Then, put the pillows in the dryer and turn it on low or medium heat so that pillows can get dried properly.

4. Washing foam pillows

For foam pillows, you need to wash it by hand as washer can’t clean it effectively. For this, you have to fill a tub with lukewarm water and add some liquid detergent to it. Then place the foam pillows in soap water to soak it for few minutes. Then, wet the pillows with your hand by squeezing it gently so that dirt can come out. After this, you have to rinse the pillows with lukewarm water till soap water gets completely out and water runs clear. Keep the pillows in sunlight to get dried for some days.

5. Washing decorative pillows

Decorative pillows and cushions need gentle hand wash as they are made of textured fabric. You can also use cold water for such pillows so that fabric doesn’t get damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why some pillows need hand wash and not machine wash?

As said, some pillows come in different fabric which can easily be damaged if machine wash is applied to it. By hand wash, the quality of the fabric does not get affected.

Quick Tips:

  1. Ask your family and friends if they know specific detergent which can be effective.
  2. Don’t use the pillow soon after washing. Keep it in sunlight or use dryer to get it dried.
  3. If you are cleaning the pillows with hands, make sure you do it gently.
  4. Maintain the pillows in a good way so that you don’t have to wash it every time.
  5. Get a pillow case to protect the cleaned pillows from dirt.

Things To Watch Out For:

  1. If you are using washing machine to wash the pillows then never use hot water. Use lukewarm or cold water to clean.
  2. Do not go for machine wash, if the pillows tag recommends hand wash.
  3. Go for gentle liquid soap or detergent which can eliminate dirt.

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