Pillow Cleaning

Just like your bedding, your pillow should undergo cleaning regularly to help prevent the buildup of bacteria, oils, dirt and odors. Special care by your reputable dry cleaners is required when cleaning or washing to prevent damaging the fill.

Memory foam can break down when not cleaned in the correct way. And, materials in other pillows shrink if they aren’t properly handled. Keep reading to learn more about caring for your pillows.

Everyday Pillow Care

We highly recommend using two pillowcases or, investing in a high-quality protector in order to keep dirt and dust out. This way, you won’t need to wash them as often.

Along with this, as mentioned above, memory foam can become damaged by water and broken down if not cleaned in the proper manner. Waterproof protectors are available for you to purchase in order to keep them clean and safe. Also, be sure to fluff them every day to get out dust and keep the stuffing from clumping together. You can air them outside or by an open window on a monthly basis to get rid of odors, as opposed to spraying them with a scented perfume.

Remember, how a pillow should undergo cleaning is primarily dependent on its stuffing type. Be sure to always check the care labels to see what the manufacturer recommends. And, if you’re unsure, its best advised to bring your pillows in to a reputable cleaners.

How To Wash Pillows

Dry Clean Only

If your pillows care label reads “Dry clean only,” then you must bring your pillow to a professional dry cleaner, and not wash them at home. Submerging them in water may damage the fill or cover. The tag may also read, “Do Not Wash.” It’s vital to follow the care labels instructions to ensure that you are giving them the proper care and maintenance.

Spot Clean Only

Clean spots and stains on the surface of the pillow, rather than washing the entire pillow.

Hand Wash

The pillow can be gently washed by hand. This means you can place it in the water, but the spin cycle of the washing machine may damage the pillow. Therefore, you must wash them by hand without using a washing machine.

Machine-Washable

Pillows that are machine-washable will typically include care instructions on the tag that you can follow. These may include machine washing on the delicate cycle, or avoiding bleach or harsh detergents that will ruin the material inside of your pillow.

Once you have determined whether or not it’s safe to machine wash, its best advised to wash in pairs in order to balance out the weight, as they will become heavy with water in the washing machine. Mostly all of your pillows can undergo cleaning in warm water, a gentle cycle, and a small amount of mild detergent. Proper care and cleaning will often depend on the materials used when constructing the pillow.

Drying Process

When tumble drying, additional time is recommended to dry the interior fill, even if the cover feels dry. Adding clean dryer balls or dry towels to the dryer can help expedite the process in a fast and efficient manner.

However, not all should be tumble dried in a drying machine. Some should dry outside in the sun or in a well-ventilated spot. It’s important to allow your pillow to dry fully prior to using it!

Here at Avon, we are able to clean down comforters, afghans, duvet covers, and cotton, satin or velvet bedspreads. Along with this, we are able to replace pillow ticking, as well as clean pillow shams, bed skirts, and other decorative items.

Down / Feather

Feather and down pillows surely require special attention in order to protect the loft and integrity of the fill. It’s vital to always follow the manufacturer’s label and specific guidelines as many feather and down pillows can ONLY be dry cleaned. If the pillow can undergo cleaning, it should be done very carefully.

Firstly, always check for holes or ripped seams in your pillow. Then, repair them if possible before attempting to clean.
It’s advised to only dry clean down and feather pillows in order to retain their softness and fluffiness.
If you put down or feather pillows in the washing machine, do two at a time or one with a few towels to balance the load so that they don’t become too heavy with the water.
Use cool or warm water, as hot water can damage feathers and down.
Choose delicate settings in order to keep the materials inside from clumping.
To dry, dryer on lowest heat setting or no-heat tumble dry.
Fluff pillows between cycles to break up any clumps.
Make sure down and feather pillows are completely dry before using or storing. Remember, mildew can grow inside and ruin them!
Do not over-clean down or feather pillows. The natural oils in the material will become stripped over time.

Memory Foam

Foam pillows should NOT be machine-washed, as this can cause the foam to crack. You must never directly place foam pillows in the water. These pillows must undergo spot cleaning as needed in order to remove stains and residue. Also, it’s important to check any instructions provided by the manufacturer. In the event the memory foam pillow can be hand washed, special care should still be taken in order to ensure your foam pillow has a long lifespan.

Always use a sink or bathtub to create a solution of room temperature water and mild detergent.
Then, place your memory foam pillow in the solution. Squeeze water in and out of the pillow as much as needed.
Next, drain the solution from the sink or bathtub. Refill again with lukewarm water.
Squeeze the pillow to replace any remaining solution with clean water and continuously squeeze the pillow carefully until the water coming out of your pillow is clear.
Then, leave to air dry in direct sunlight.
To help expedite the drying process, you can place the pillow in front of an electric fan.

Polyester

Not all polyester-filled pillows are the same and require the same cleaning process. Some are washable while some are not. Always check the care label and follow washing instructions. If the care label is gone, bring it to your reputable dry cleaner to be safe. This way, your polyester pillow can undergo the best cleaning method.

Throw Pillows, Body Pillows, & Specialty Style Pillows

Throw pillows should undergo cleaning every 3 to 6 months. This is highly depending on how frequently they’re being used. Most of these can undergo cleaning with the following guidelines:

First, remove the cover if possible. Then, wash it separately from the pillow itself.
Use lukewarm water and a gentle cycle for throw covers. Never wash in cold water.
Use warmer water temperatures and a delicate cycle for the inner part as well.
Dry on low or medium heat on a low tumble setting.
If the pillow’s made with fragile materials, hand wash it in warm water and then allow it to air dry as opposed to putting it in the dryer.

Always read the care label for cleaning instructions for any body pillows, neck pillows, or other specialty types. This is where you’ll find out what type of fill’s being used, which will allow you to determine which instructions to follow. Keep in mind, many pillows have removable covers that can be machine washed as needed.

How Often Should I Clean My Pillows?

Most pillows should have a deep wash at least two to three times a year. However, some may require more frequent care. Over time, they begin to trap dirt, sweat, oil, and even fungus (gross!). If left unwashed, these problems can lead to odors and health concerns. Therefore, it’s super important to ensure they’re are getting the proper care and maintenance that they need. Though we recommend changing your pillows every one to two years, the best types can last up to five years if they’re being cared for and cleaned in the proper way! Contact Avon today to learn more about how we clean your pillows!

Cleaner Pillows=Better Sleep!