Clean Your Pillows the Lazy Way

You sleep on your pillow every night. Over the years, imagine the dust, dead skin, makeup, and sweat that accumulates. Washing your pillowcase weekly certainly helps, but what about the pillow itself? Surely, it should be washed periodically — once or twice per year. Here’s how to get your pillows clean and keep them nice and soft.

1. Don’t Worry About Washing

If your pillow is filled with down or feathers, you might be concerned about throwing it in the wash. Don’t be! Think of it this way: birds, especially ducks, live outdoors and get wet all the time. Their feathers are meant to resist water. Just use the delicate cycle and tumble dry on the low setting. Do make sure you give it enough time to be fully dry, however (longer than a regular load). You don’t want any damp fill or feathers to grow mildew. But hey, after a nice long tumble dry, your pillow will be extra fluffy! Just make sure there are no holes or tears before washing, or you’ll lose a bunch of those fluffy feathers.

2. Remember These Tips

There are a few things to keep in mind when machine washing pillows. To keep your load balanced during the spin cycle, wash two pillows at a time. Also, you can use whatever temperature recommended on the tag, but to play it safe, use cold to avoid any shrinking fabrics. An extra rinse can ensure all soap reside is removed, and don’t be afraid to use your highest spin option to remove as much water as possible.

3. Between Washings

It might not seem like enough to wash your pillows once or twice a year. But if you over wash them, they could wear out faster or end up out of shape. To clean your pillows between washings, you can use cheap vodka. It’s actually a great refresher and sanitizer. Just pour some in a spray bottle and lightly spritz your pillows whenever you feel the need. Keep the spray light so you don’t risk mildew.