ICYDK, your pillow can get pretty gross —here's how to wash pillows properly

It seems we're all pretty good at washing our bed sheets regularly. I mean, a little judgment to the guy that's gone a month without changing his bedding. But when was the last time you washed your pillows? No, not the pillowcase, but the actual pillow insert? Can't remember? Me neither. There's no shame here, as it turns out, the majority of us simply forget to clean our pillows or don't know how.

Pillowcases only protect our pillows so much, as dust mites and allergens can build up beneath the sham surface. Even if your pillow looks pretty clean, I'm sorry to say that it could be harboring more germs than you realize. And it only takes one spilled cup of coffee or a sweaty night's sleep to stain it.

Luckily, the majority of the best pillows can be chucked in the washing machine, and there are easy enough methods to clean those that can't. Whether you've got a feather and down, polyester, or memory-foam pillow you can get rid of all that grossness in five easy steps. Here's how to wash pillows properly.

How to wash pillows

Good to know

Time: 1 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Helpful hints: If you haven't already, you should find out what filling your pillow has. This will change the method of cleaning as some luxe feather or down pillows are more delicate than the cheaper polyester kind. To do so, you should check the care label on your pillow — this will also provide you with details on whether your pillow can be machine washed, dried, and at what temperature for both. 

Here's what you'll need

• Mild laundry detergent, like Method's eco-friendly detergent
• Fabric stain remover, like this one from Shout
• A soft cleaning cloth (from Amazon) or brush 
• Your washing machine

1. Pretreat stains

After removing your pillowcase, you may notice some stains on your pillow — especially if you haven't washed it in a couple of years. I wear self-tanner and often notice some stains where my neck sits at the base of the pillow. In order to get your pillow as clean as poss, it's good to pre-treat these stains first before throwing it in the wash. You can use an enzyme-based stain remover and spot-treat the stained area. Work it into the mark with a soft cloth or brush, and allow it to sink in for around 10 minutes. 

2. Wash according to the correct instructions

Most pillows will be able to withstand a regular wash cycle, but make sure to check depending on what your pillow is made from. If washing in the machine, you should add a detergent low in suds, as residue from the soap can cause the filling to clump. Depending on the size of your drum, you may have to wash one pillow at a time (annoying I know, but totally worth the result). Here's a rough guideline of how to wash each pillow according to the type you have.

• Feather and down pillows should be washed in a machine at a low temperature and a high spin speed. This will make sure there is as little moisture as possible to avoid damaging the fluffiness of the filling. 
• Synthetic pillows are the easiest to wash and are often marked "easy clean." That being said, they are prone to lumping if they aren't cleaned the right way. You can wash most synthetic pillows in hotter temperatures. However, I'd recommend going no higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Memory foam pillows should never be washed in a machine, nor by hand if it can be helped.  If the foam becomes extremely wet, it can damage its sink-in properties, and become extremely heavy and hard to dry. Dry clean or spot clean only for the best results. 
• Silk and wool pillows: These super-delicate pillows are best hand-washed because the filling can easily clump in the machine. There is a certain way you should be washing silk, otherwise, you'll want to spot clean and add stain remover before submerging the pillow in a bowl of hot soapy water. Note, don't leave it in water for longer than 10 minutes.

3. Add a second rinse

Whether you've washed your pillow in the washing machine, or by hand, you'll want to take special note of this step. Trust me: putting your pillow wash on a second rinse cycle can make all the difference. If your washing machine has the setting available, Marten Carlson, a certified sleep science coach at Mattress Clarity recommends using a "drain and spin cycle after the initial wash to get out as much water as possible before drying." And if washed under water, rinse repeatedly by draining the soapy water and squeezing the foam gently to release any suds. This will make sure there is less detergent residue and water, so your pillow remains just as plush and comfy. 

4. Dry in the tumble dryer

You should always dry pillows on low heat in the tumble dryer (especially feather and down version). This may mean it takes a few cycles to get them super dry, but if the temperature is too hot, you could run the risk of damaging the thickness and softness of the perfect pillow you paid for. Just like drying a duvet, putting drying balls or tennis balls in the tumble dryer will help the filling spread evenly. You could also pause the cycle and hand-plump every 20 minutes for the same effect. 

5. Let them air dry completely

Our experts suggest fully waiting for your pillow to dry before storing it or putting it back on the bed, otherwise, it could smell musty or grow mold. If you don't have a dryer to start the process off, then you may want to hang your pillow outside or in a warm, dry place. A balcony in direct sunlight will help dry your pillows more quickly. Our top tip: Pick up a couple of cheap pillows you can alternate between on wash day.