Did you know you can wash pillows? Here’s an easy tutorial for how to wash pillows in a front loading washing machine and extend their life!
I was having a conversation with a mom friend of mine a little while back. You know, talking shop while the little ones ran wild. The topic of pillow washing came up and I was surprised to find out that she didn’t know you could wash pillows. She said she just throws them out when they get past their prime. I was really and truly surprised! Did you know your pillows are machine-washable, or do you just toss them?
I have been washing pillows for a quite some time, but I decided to do a little research on washing pillows in a front-loading washing machine to see what was out there on the topic. I was surprised to discover that cleaning tips included soaking the pillows in the bathtub and then carrying them through the house and then washing them in the machine. What?!!?
I could just imagine that not going well, our nearest bathtub is upstairs and our washing machine is downstairs! That would just be too much work.
To save you some time, and hassle, I thought I would share with you my tips for how to wash pillows in a front load washing machine.
These may be some things you are already doing, but then again, you may have never even known you could wash your pillows!
How to wash your pillows in a front loading washing machine, here’s what you’ll need:
- Washing Soda
- Powder dishwasher detergent
- Borax
- Bleach
- Dryer Balls
Wash instructions:
#1 Wash out your washing machine
This is a step in the process that is so important to keeping the mildew and mold residue out of your washing machine, in general, and your pillows, specifically. It is key that you should be washing your washing machine about once a month. I usually do it on a Saturday (when laundry needs are light) and make sure I go in to the laundry room every little bit to complete each step.
#2 Mix up a cleaning solution for your pillows
Make a powder cleanser for your pillows by mixing:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup dishwasher detergent
- 1/2 cup Borax
Add all ingredients to a plastic, or glass, container with a secure lid. Put the lid on and shake vigorously. Once the ingredients are well combined, put 1/4 cup of the powder cleanser into the detergent dispenser of my HE front load washing machine. Then add about 1/4 cup of bleach to the same part of the container because you want the entire solution to combine, and be introduced to the pillows at the same time.
#3 Wash at least two pillows at a time
To balance out the load for the machine, make sure you wash two pillows at a time. My washing machine would not hold more than two bed pillows at a time, so I only do two. But if you have a larger washing machine and can wash more than two at a time, you might want to increase the amount of cleansing solution you use.
#4 Use the longest and hottest settings on your machine
On my machine the longest settings include a long spin cycle, an extra rinse cycle and I can adjust these settings each time I wash a load. Set up the machine to work long and hot on the pillows. You want to use hot water, instead of warm water, to kill all the germs, odors, and get the pillows deep cleaned.
If you cannot adjust these settings on your washing machine, just make sure you turn the dial to HOT water.
#5 Adjust the cycle manually
You will want to stay close to the washing machine for the first few minutes so you can wait for the washer to fill up, dispense the cleaning solution, and turn the drum over a few times.
You want to make sure the pillows are very well saturated. Once they are fully saturated, pause the machine and set a timer to come back in 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes, turn the machine on for another few turns of the drum and then turn it off again for another 30 minutes. Or, you can let the cycle run through the rest of the way.
When the cycle is complete, you may have to run the pillows through an extra spin cycle to get all the excess water out of the pillows. I always do, so that I can cut down on the time in the dryer. Here is what they look like after spinning the washing machine.
#6 Use a ratio of dryer balls to two bed pillows in the dryer
If you are going to care for your pillows on a regular basis, you will need to invest in a package of dryer balls. If you don’t want to use dryer balls, tennis balls wrapped in old socks will also work.
The balls will tumble around with the pillows inside your dryer and help to prevent them from becoming big clumps of pillow. They will help to keep the shape of the pillow.
To dry my pillows I set the timer on my dryer to 15 minutes on a low heat setting, add the pillows, tennis balls, and a dryer sheet (to cut down on static) and push start.
Usually my pillows are dry with just one cycle, but if yours need more time, run them in 15 minute increments. I have noticed that using the sensor settings for drying my pillows often produces mostly damp pillows; but your dryer’s sensor settings might work better than mine.
When you remove them from the dryer, fluff the pillows with your hands, put a clean pillow cover back on them, and they’re ready for bed!
#7 Wash your pillows seasonally
To maintain your pillows, and extend their life, wash them seasonally. If you create a monthly schedule for washing your washing machine, you can simply take the rest of the washing day every few months to run your household’s pillows through the process of cleaning.
A freshly laundered pillow is so inviting in the evening, and is so worth the effort!
Leah
Thank you Leah for this super helpful tutorial! If you have a top loading washing machine you can see how to wash your pillows by clicking HERE.
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I do wash mine, but they usually come out distorted :/
Depending on the type of material inside the pillow, the pillows might need a little fluffing and reshaping. Adding the tennis balls to the dryer helps with this too. 🙂
I never dry them. This is straight out of the washer. There is NO reshaping that can be done! LOL. They usually become “cuddle” pillows at that point. I’ve tried “lining” the washer with them and putting clothes in the middle so they hold their shape, I’ve tried washing them alone. Nothing works. Maybe it’s because I buy cheap pillows. I should just toss them, like your friend. 😉
Is it OK to wash feather/down pillows this way?
I have washed my feather pillows in the washing machine this way. The care instructions will tell you not to, but I gave it a try anyway and it worked. It does take a little longer to dry (if memory serves) and the pillows have a distinct wet feather smell for a little while after washing. Give it a try on your pillows, if you don’t want to pay to have them laundered.
I am like your friend who throws her’s away. But I am going to try this. THANKS!
I have down pillows and love them because they fluff up nicely. My kids get bloody noses enough that I invested in them to wash. A few months ago I washed one of the pillows in my front loader and when I pulled it out I had feathers everywhere because the pillow must have rubbed against the side of the washer and wore the fabric away. I paid over $25 per pillow and now I am afraid to wash any of them again. Any suggestions on this?
Did the pillows come apart completely or just loose feathers through the fabric? I would recommend that you wash the pillows inside pillow covers to keep the feathers all in. The pillow covers I am talking about are the ones that help to reduce allergies and zip around the pillows, not pillow cases. I hope that helps!
Do you use that same cleaning solution for just the monthly cleaning of your machine also?
Hey Tracy,
This is Monique, Anna’s Assistant. This is written by our great contributor, Leah and you can contact her here: (http://simplehomeblessing.com/sample-page/contact-me/) For Anna, she usually wipes down her washing machine when she notices it getting dirty. She will take a rag that is going into the washer anyway and a little vinegar or bleach and wipe down all the noticeable dirt and then just toss that rag in with the load that is currently washing! She does recommend deep cleaning your washer like she does here (https://askannamoseley.com/2012/04/spring-cleaning-cleaning-your-washing-machine/) every six months. Hope this helps! I love how we all have our different cleaning styles! Let us know if you have any other questions!
I wash and dry my pillows, but I do it using fewer toxins. I’m not sure why dishwasher detergent is used here instead of laundry detergent. I use a natural laundry detergent, and I also use wool dryer balls. Tennis balls will release toxins into your laundry when heated. Not something I want in pillows that will be breathed in while being slept on.
I wrap the tennis balls in several layers of aluminum foil. I have seven children, so all time savers are a blessing. I’m here because we have an enormous washer. No one seems to know how many is okay on my model (5.6cu). Good luck on pillow washing.
Love the idea of washing my pillows in my front loading washer! Instead of using the dryer to fully dry them, I was wondering if anyone had dried them on the line outside until almost dried and finished the drying time in the dryer with the tennis balls? Thinking of doing that tomorrow.
That would work well too. The dryer is really just to refluff them. 🙂
I have tried this but I can’t get the spin cycle to complete it gets out of balance even with only 2 pillows in my front load washer any suggestions?
Hi, Nancy! I’m Anna’s assistant, Bethany. Do you have room in your washer for more pillows? If so, you can add an additional pillow to help balance it out and then just add a bit more solution. Hope this resolves the issue for you!
I love this but I don’t understand why you make up so much solution if you are only going to use a little??? Can you clarify?
Hi Barbara, I make up a bunch because I know I will use it in the future and making a small quantity doesn’t make sense to me if it takes just as much time to make a large amount. I keep mine in a sealed container in the cabinet and pull it down when I need to wash my pillows and comforters. I probably have WAY too many pillows in my house. 🙂
Hi!
Thanks for the tips! May I ask what your washer capacity is (in kg)?
Thanks again. 🙂
With #1 being such an important step, I was disappointed that you did not elaborate on how to do that. Can you describe your process?
Any recommendations on sheets in a front load washer? As well yellow stained towels? I feel like they all need to soak in a bin but you can’t do that in a front loader!
Maybe try soaking them in hot water and bleach in your bathtub, then transfer them in a bucket to your washer.
I want to wash my pillows!! Had everything in my front end load machine. It calls for dishwasher soap (powdered). I ONLY HAVE THE PODS!!! Can you help me out? Maybe should I leave that ingredient out??
Do you have powder laundry detergent? If so, I’d just use that instead.
Hi Anna
Please advise, I have a front loader but no dryer, how can I dry my feather pillows in the sun, can I hang them on a washing or do I lay them down flat? Please help my pillows are very very soiled.
Sorry for the delayed response, we were out of town and I’m just getting caught up. I would lay them out in the sun on a clean, flat surface. Rotate them every hour so both sides dry evenly. 🙂