How to Clean a Pillow: The Complete Guide for Every Pillow Type

Pillows absorb sweat, skin oils, saliva, and dead skin cells every night — making them one of the most important items in your bedroom to clean regularly. A dirty pillow can harbor dust mites, bacteria, and allergens that affect sleep quality and health. This guide covers how to clean every type of pillow properly.

What You'll Need

• Tyler Glam Wash Laundry Detergent, Diva (128 fl oz) — gentle yet effective formula for washing pillows and bedding; leaves a luxurious fresh scent
• Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls (Pack of 6) — essential for drying pillows; prevents clumping and restores loft
• AllerEase Pillow Protectors, Standard/Queen (Set of 2) — zippered allergy protection that keeps pillows cleaner between washes
• Nutricost Baking Soda (2 lbs) — for deodorizing between washes
• Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (24-pack) — for spot cleaning

How Often Should You Clean Pillows?

• Pillowcases: Weekly with your sheets
• Pillow protectors: Monthly
• Pillows themselves: Every 3–6 months
• Replace pillows: Every 1–2 years (most pillows lose their support and accumulate too much debris to clean effectively after this point)

Step 1: Check the Care Label

Pillow care varies significantly by fill type:

• Polyester fiberfill: Machine washable — most forgiving
• Down and feather: Machine washable on gentle with special care
• Memory foam: Spot clean only — never machine wash
• Latex: Spot clean only
• Buckwheat: Remove fill and wash the cover only
• Wool: Hand wash or dry clean

Cleaning Polyester Fiberfill Pillows

1. Remove pillowcase and pillow protector
2. Check for any tears or holes — repair before washing to prevent fill from escaping
3. Wash two pillows at a time to balance the machine load
4. Use a gentle cycle with warm water and a small amount of Tyler Glam Wash
5. Run an extra rinse cycle to remove all detergent
6. Tumble dry on low heat with wool dryer balls — these break up clumps and restore loft
7. Check for damp spots by squeezing — dry completely before use

Cleaning Down and Feather Pillows

1. Check for any tears — even small holes will release feathers in the wash
2. Wash two at a time on a gentle cycle with cool water
3. Use a small amount of down-safe detergent or Tyler Glam Wash
4. Run two rinse cycles — down holds detergent and needs thorough rinsing
5. Tumble dry on low heat with wool dryer balls — essential for down; they break up clumps and restore loft
6. Dry completely — down takes 2–3 hours; check by squeezing sections for damp clumps
7. Fluff by hand every 30 minutes during drying

Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows (Spot Clean Only)

See our dedicated memory foam pillow cleaning guide for full details. In brief:

• Never machine wash or submerge
• Spot clean stains with a damp cloth and mild soap
• Deodorize with baking soda — sprinkle, let sit several hours, vacuum
• Air dry completely before use

Deodorizing Pillows Between Washes

For a quick refresh between full washes:

1. Remove the pillowcase and protector
2. Sprinkle baking soda over the pillow surface
3. Let sit 30 minutes to several hours
4. Shake off outdoors and vacuum
5. Air in sunlight for 1–2 hours if possible — UV rays kill bacteria naturally

Protecting Pillows Between Washes

The AllerEase Pillow Protectors go between the pillow and pillowcase. The zippered design creates a barrier against sweat, dust mites, and allergens — keeping the pillow itself cleaner for longer and dramatically reducing how often you need to wash the pillow itself. Wash the protector monthly with your sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when to replace a pillow instead of washing it?

Fold the pillow in half — if it stays folded rather than springing back, it's lost its support and should be replaced. Also replace pillows that have permanent yellow staining, persistent odors that don't wash out, or lumps that don't fluff out after washing.

Can I wash two pillows at once?

Yes — washing two pillows at once is actually recommended. It balances the washing machine load, preventing the machine from becoming unbalanced during the spin cycle.

Why do my pillows smell after washing?

A musty smell after washing means the pillow didn't dry completely. Damp fill develops mildew quickly. Always dry pillows completely — use wool dryer balls and check for damp spots by squeezing before removing from the dryer.