How to clean your pillows at home

Everything you need to know about washing your pillows at home and how often you should do it.

Can you remember the last time you washed your pillow? No? Great, read all your need to know about washing your pillow and then get it done. It’s never been more important to keep a clean and healthy sleeping environment.

Why should I wash my pillow?

Although it is not visible to the naked eye, those fluffy pillows and cosy duvets we so lovingly wrap ourselves with and lay our heads on can harbour bacteria, our dead skin cells and the bodily fluids lost during sleep (on average about 250ml of liquid per night), so it is important to wash them regularly and care for them in-between the washes as well.

How often should I wash my pillow?

Whilst most of us are in the habit of changing our bedsheets, you might skip what lies beneath...It is easy to take for granted the pillows you sleep on, and not clean them as regularly as they probably should be cleaned. Our face, scalp and hair come in contact with the pillow for 6-7 hours at a time, every night of the week…(or less if you travel for work). In just 3 months, for an average person sleeping 7 hours on the same pillow every night, you will spend 644 hours on your pillow, that is almost 27 days, that is almost a whole month, that’s a big window of opportunity for bacteria to grow. Whatever the type of material your pillow is made of, it should be washed at least 4 times a year. 

How to wash my pillow at home?

Different materials require different care, but in most cases, a gentle cycle on your washing machine and a non-toxic, bio-detergent & some tennis balls will bring life back to your favourite pillow. 

Different Types of Pillows & How to Clean Them:

• Down & Fibrefill Pillows are mostly machine washable. Check instructions on the pillow for the correct temperature. Make sure if airdrying that you give the pillows a good shaking, to break up the down, and repeat regularly until the pillows are completely dry. 

• Foam Pillows are not generally machine washable, but you can still give them a good clean - vacuuming any dust and flaked skin off for 20 minutes on each side, airing it well, spot cleaning any big dirt patches the leaving to dry off completely before putting clean pillowcases on.

• Wool Pillows are machine washable on low temperatures and normally can be tumble dried too. Wool is a wonderful natural fibre that is breathable and heat regulating, transferring heat and moisture away from your skin. This creates a less susceptible environment for the development of micro-bacteria, making your pillow more hygienic. 

For all pillow types, it is best to use non-toxic, eco-friendly mild detergent and air dry the pillows completely before putting on your finest clean pillowcases.

To help keep your pillows clean, allowing the pillow to breathe and wick away moisture, it’s best to use a pillow cover made from a 100% natural fibre. It’s important to regularly air your pillows as well since your mouth and nose are in contact with it and sleeping on a pillow results in a faster build-up of moisture.

When you wake up in the morning, don’t rush making your bed straight away, allow the pillow to breathe and wick away the moisture. At night, open the duvet and let the air on your pillow and sheets, to help ventilate the bed and keep it cleaner and fresher between regular washes.

Sleeping soundly has never been more important than now but maintaining good bedroom hygiene is absolutely vital at all times for your health and wellbeing.