Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?

Can you wash pillows in the washing machine – really, without damaging them? The fact is that pillows do need washing regularly to stay fresh – just as your bedlinen and comforter does.

When dealing with bulky items, such as washing a pillow, you need to ensure your washer is protected by placing the pillows into the machine in a particular way. But as to whether pillows can be washed in a washing machine, the answer is: 'it depends'. 

We have all the answers about whether you can wash your pillows in a washing machine, below.

Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?  

The laundry symbols on each pillow’s tag will let you know about individual care but what’s equally important to know is that washing a pillow in a washing machine should be a regular job, and it’s one you can undertake when you clean a bedroom thoroughly.

'Pillows should be washed every few months – or at least three times a year,' advises Homes & Gardens' editor in chief, Lucy Searle. 'However, not all pillows can be washed in a washing machine.'

We at Homes & Gardens are big fans of owning and caring for the best pillow possible so below we have all the cleaning tips you need on washing pillows in a washing machine.

Which pillows can be washed in the washing machine?

Whether you’ve been asking can you wash a feather pillow or can you wash memory foam pillows, or you’ve been wondering about another type, take a look at the tag first. 

'The best advice is to check each pillow's care instructions before you put it in the washer,' continues Lucy Searle. 'However, it's safe to assume that most fiberfill, cotton, feather or down pillows can be washed in a washing machine, though I would advise a warm wash on a gentle cycle, and half the usual detergent, since too much can make feather and down clump.'

Which pillows can't be washed in the washing machine?

Again, check your pillow's label for care instructions, but if you can't see any clear cleaning tips on it, following the rule that latex or memory foam pillows can't be washed in the washing machine. Instead, these will need to be spot-cleaned with a clean cloth dipped in a weak soapy solution – or dry-cleaned. You can also vacuum these pillows to help remove dust, though their materials are generally dust mite resistant.

Why wash pillows?

Why wash pillows? Quite simply, for the same reason you need to wash bed sheets and other bedding: not doing so is unhygienic. Like other items, pillows come into contact with your skin, meaning they are prone to absorbing sweat and dead skin, the latter of which tends to attract dust mites, with many of us allergic to their droppings. If your pillow smells a little dank, that aroma signifies the presence of bacteria. All these should be good enough reasons to wash pillows regularly.

Can you damage pillows by washing them in the machine?

Yes, you can damage pillows by washing them in the machine, which is why you should always check the care label first. Be sure, too, not to wash memory foam pillows in a machine at all.

Most damage that can occur to a pillow in a washing machine with an agitator (the central spindle particularly prevalent in top-load washers. However, you can minimize the risk with this type of washing machine by placing your two pillows into the drum vertically, and now allowing the spin cycle to go on for too long. 

How to cut down on washing pillows

Pillow protectors are an excellent buy – they help flaccid pillows be a little firmer, help pillows hold their shape and can be removed along with pillowcases to be washed every week. Some come with dust mite resistance, which will help protect the pillow beneath.

When is it time to replace pillows?

Though washing pillows – in a washing machine or by hand – can help extend their life, there comes a time when they will need replacing. There is no fixed time for this, though Tobin James, VP of TEMPUR® (opens in new tab) says 'Despite regular cleaning, bacteria will build up regardless so it’s important to replace your pillow every three years. Not only will this mean you get to enjoy a clean and fresh pillow, but you’ll likely find it much more comfortable as well.'

If you are not sure whether your pillow needs replacing or not, you can try the fold test: simply fold your pillow in half; if it bounces back flat, it's likely still in good shape; if it stays folded, it needs replacing. Plus if it's irreparably bumpy and lumpy, it can't be giving you good support.

The experts and scooms advise replacing pillows more often: 'Replace your pillows every one to two years for peak support, and your duvet every five years to ensure you get the best sleep. The more you love your bedding, the more your bedding will love you.'

'While washing your pillow may solve the allergen (and ick-factor) problem, it doesn’t help your pillow stay supportive,' say the experts at the National Sleep Foundation (opens in new tab). 'After nightly use, a pillow will lose its fluff and start to resemble a pancake. While some pillows might last a little longer (for example, down and natural feather pillows are more durable than those with polyester filling), they all will ultimately lose their shape.'