Have you ever washed the pillows on your bed?
If you’re easily disgusted you might need to look away now. Actually, if you’re easily disgusted it’s probably in your best interest to keep reading!
Did you know there are dust mites in your pillow? Yes, the pillow where you lay your head at night. Ten percent of the weight of a two year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings. I won’t bore you with the details but if you’d like to know additional details, feel free to read more about dust mites on the Environment, Healthy and Safety Online Website.
Yuck!
Guidelines on how to wash pillows.
Now that you know WHY you should wash your pillows, let’s talk about HOW to wash your bed pillows.
How to wash pillows with synthetic filling:
- Most pillows with synthetic filling can be washed in the washing machine on delicate with hot water. Check the label to be certain. It’s also wise to wash two at a time to prevent an uneven load. When drying the pillows you can add a new tennis ball or dryer ball to help the pillows retain their shape.
How to wash down pillows or pillows with another natural filling:
- Pillows filled with down or another natural filling should be sent to the dry-cleaners. If you must wash this type of pillow at home, it’s usually recommended that they be hand washed in warm soapy water and air dried.
How to wash memory foam pillows:
- Memory Foam pillows can also be hand washed in warm soapy water but should not be put in the dryer.
Of course it goes without saying that you should check the label of any pillow you plan on washing to find out specific instructions.
Hope this helps. I’m off to go wash my pillows!
Do you ever wash your pillows? If so, how often?
iDreamOfClean
Latest posts by iDreamOfClean (see all)
- Easy Way to Remove Sand from Hands and Feet at the Beach - May 12, 2013
- Clean Faster by Timing Yourself - May 9, 2013
- Easy Way to Make Memories with Your Kids this Summer - May 8, 2013
- Natural Green Ant Repellant - May 6, 2013
- The Path to a Minimalist Wardrobe - May 4, 2013
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I have tried to use tennis balls and dryer balls but they always come out lumpy. I need to try with my new washer/dryer though. It might make all the difference!!!!
Well, I know what laundry I’m doing today! HAHA
(shudder)
I think I may add washing pillows to my seasonal cleaning list. Great tip – thank you!
.-= Hallee the Homemaker´s last blog ..Is All Flour Created Equal? =-.
I have washed the occasional pillow, but I really need to do the pillows on my bed this week. My allergies have been awful, and just washing the sheets and pillowcases doesn’t seem to do the trick. Thanks for the suggestion!
Oh, yeah, allergies seem to be affecting so many people right now. Hope it helps!!
I just washed my Snoogle (pregnancy pillow) this weekend. It feels (and smells) so much better now!
I do try to wash ours at least once a year. I ignore the mite thing because it just creeps me out, I wash them just to wash them. Our kings size pillows are a bit hefty, and go almost totally around the tub, so I try to throw tiny pillows or maybe a favorite stuffed animal into the space thats left to help balance the tub!
(I suddenly feel the urge to wash my daughters’ pillows!)
.-= TaderDoodles (Lisa B)´s last blog ..Review: Hoover SteamVac Silver – Momma Got New Carpet =-.
We use tennis balls in the dryer, or hang them outside to dry.
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..I’m a "newbie" gardener =-.
I didn’t know that you could wash pillows. I want to try this. Thanks for the tip!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..How to Make Homemade Yogurt =-.
Thinking of dead dust mites in my pillows and what they had for dinner totally grossed me out. I try to wash my pillows in the winter and summer, but have never had much luck keeping them from getting lumpy. Next time I’m going to try the tennis ball in the dryer. Thanks for the hint!
I wash my pillows about every other month. I have a front loading washer which works better than my old top loader and I put them in the dryer. I wash and dry both synthetic and foam. My only suggestion is to wash fewer pillows than the machine will hold. They come out better that way. I have small children and pets and like clean pillows. My allergies also are better when the pillows have been washed.
I do mine once a month – twice if it’s summer (I live in South Florida – it’s a sweaty place!) plus after every illness. I usually do thing due to allergies – I’m allergic to animals and yet have a cat and a bird that regularly claim my pillows.
I figure I can “treat” myself at the beginning of every month by doing a mini-spring cleaning…my pillows, my cloud, I go through the pantry and consolidate, ditto with pet food. I usually follow it up with a mini-spa. Nothing like climbing into a totally clean fresh-smelling bed after indulging in a super-long shower or bath :D
{ 4 trackbacks }