How to Clean Dirty Bed Pillows and Get Them Fresh Again
Pillows absorb sweat, skin oils, drool, hair products and dust over time, which can cause yellowing and odors. The right cleaning method depends heavily on the pillow’s filling and care label.
🧺 For washable polyester or down-alternative pillows
- Check the care label first.
- Remove the pillowcase and inspect for tears.
- Wash two pillows together to help balance the washer.
- Use warm or cool water, a gentle cycle and a small amount of mild detergent.
- Run an additional rinse if necessary to remove detergent residue.
- Dry according to the label—often on low heat or air-dry. Make sure the center is completely dry before putting the pillow back on the bed.
A dryer ball can help break up clumps and restore some fluffiness during drying.
✨ What about yellow stains?
Don’t automatically reach for bleach. Only use bleach if the pillow’s care instructions specifically permit it, because it can damage some fabrics and fillings.
For a pillow that isn’t washable, gently spot-clean the stained area with mild detergent and a small amount of water, then allow it to dry completely.
🚫 Important: not every pillow can be washed
Memory foam, latex and some specialty pillows should not be put in a washing machine or submerged. For solid memory foam, for example, spot-cleaning is generally recommended instead.
🌸 How to get rid of odors
For washable pillows, thorough washing followed by complete drying is the key. For some dry-clean-only or non-washable pillows, airing them in a well-ventilated area may help. Baking soda can also help absorb odors from some feather pillows when used as a dry treatment and then vacuumed off.
