How To Wash A Body Pillow? Machine Washing Or Hand Washing

Your body pillow accumulates sweat, dirt, and other debris over time, which could draw dust mites and cause allergic reactions. Your sleeping space will remain hygienic and comfortable if you wash your body pillow every three to six months.

It’s not always as easy to just throw your body pillow in the washer and dryer to get it clean. While some pillows can be safely washed in a washing machine, the harsh wash can permanently damage other pillows. To ensure that various types of body pillows last as long as possible, we’ve created a step-by-step instruction manual.

Machine Washing

The easiest way to clean your pillow is to machine wash it, but not all pillows can go in the washer or dryer. Cotton, down, and down substitutes are all supple, long-lasting materials that can be machine-washed.

Wash Your Pillows Alone

Body pillows are large, so they’ll probably completely fill your washing machine. If your washer is overloaded, your pillows won’t have enough room to be cleaned properly and could possibly lose their shape. You can put two knee pillows or small body pillows into your washer at once, though.

Washing your pillows should be done in a low-heat setting. Although this can ruin the shape and fluff of some pillows, some people prefer to use hot water to kill any bacteria in their pillows. Always check the care instructions to ensure it’s safe before washing your pillow on high heat.

Use A Mild Detergent

Use a gentle detergent that dissolves dirt and grease and only contains surfactants (no builders). Use only a few tablespoons of detergent and avoid using bleach or chlorine.

Air Dry Or Tumble Dry On A Low Setting

After washing, you can either let your pillow air dry or tumble dry it using low heat and low tumble setting. Cotton and polyester pillows dry quickly, whereas dense down and feather pillows can take up to three hours to dry. Tennis balls or wool dryer balls can be added to your dryer to speed up drying and fluff your pillows.

Keep your pillow flat while air-drying; if it’s a chilly or rainy day, place it next to a fan. Prior to re-putting your pillow into its cover and onto your bed, whether you’re air drying it or using a dryer, make sure it’s completely dry. Your pillow can become ruined by damp pillows, which promote the growth of mold and mildew.

Fluff Your Body Pillow

Hand-fluff your body pillow after it has dried completely to avoid lumps and add some fullness. Simple methods to fluff your pillow include massaging, kneading, and swatting it against your mattress. Whether or not you’ve just washed your pillows, regular fluffing will increase their lifespan.

Hand Washing

Hand washing is your best option if your body pillow is too big or made of delicate material. Although it is technically possible to hand-wash any pillow because it is gentle and efficient, only latex and memory foam pillows really require it.

Fill A Bathtub Or Large Bucket With Cold, Soapy Water

Due to their size, body pillows cannot be washed in a sink or small bucket. A big bucket or bathtub is a better alternative. Fill with mild detergent and cold water (hot water degrades foam). Combine the two to create suds in the water.

Work The Soapy Water Into Your Pillow

Put your body pillow into the soapy water and let it soak for a while. Once it’s wet, gently squeeze and massage the soapy water into the pillow for a few minutes, or until it’s clean.

Thoroughly Rinse

Before completely rinsing your body pillow, empty the tub of soapy water. Make sure all the detergent residue is completely gone by pressing your pillow. Next, gently squeeze the excess water out without wringing your pillow in order to keep it from becoming misshapen.

Air Dry

Allow your wet pillow to dry flat outside in the sun or indoors with a fan. Although leaving your pillow in direct sunlight for more than an hour or two can result in discoloration, the heat from the sun effectively kills bacteria. After an hour or so of sun drying, if your pillow is still damp, bring it inside to finish drying.

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning is useful for small stains on your pillow, and it’s best to treat the stains as soon as you can to stop them from setting. Spot cleaning allows you to avoid completely washing your pillow every time it becomes a little soiled because doing so can wear it out. Due to its gentleness and non-immersion in water, this cleaning method can be used on pretty much any type or size of the pillow.

Use A Mild Detergent And A Damp Cloth

Create a soapy water mixture in a small bucket using a mild detergent, and then submerge the cloth in it. Prior to using the wet cloth, wring it out until it is damp.

Gently Scrub Off The Stains

Before rinsing the detergent from the pillow, gently scrub the stain off with your damp cloth. If the stain is still visible, you might need to repeat this process several times more to get rid of it completely.

Pat The Area Dry And Air Dry

After the stain has been removed and any detergent residue has been rinsed off, pat the area dry using a clean, dry cloth. Set your pillow flat to air dry for several hours in the sun or in front of a fan after the extra water has evaporated.

Conclusion

While using and regularly cleaning a pillowcase or cover for your body pillows temporarily shields it from stains and debris, you should always thoroughly clean your body pillow as well. In addition to being crucial for sanitary and health reasons, proper maintenance also increases the life of your body pillow. It will provide better body support and make you feel more at ease while you sleep if you follow the recommended washing instructions for your particular body pillow.

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