How to Wash a Body Pillow
- Body pillows, especially beneficial for side sleepers and pregnant women, accumulate dirt and debris over time. Regular washing, at least once every 4 to 6 months, helps prevent the infiltration of dust mites, bacteria, and allergens, maintaining a hygienic sleep environment.
- Different body pillows are filled with materials such as down, polyester, cotton, memory foam, or latex. The washing process varies based on the fill type to avoid damaging the pillow. While pillows with down, polyester, or cotton filling can be machine-washed, memory foam and latex pillows require hand washing to prevent foam damage.
- After washing, the drying process is crucial. Overcrowding the dryer or using high heat settings can lead to clumping or damage. Depending on the fill type, low-heat tumble drying with clean tennis balls or wool balls can help maintain fluffiness. Memory foam and latex pillows are best air-dried outdoors.
Body pillows help you relax as you curl up next to them at the end of a long day. These extra-long pillows are especially beneficial for side sleepers and pregnant women because they relieve pressure on the spine, hips, and back.
However, just like with other pillows, regular use leads to the accumulation of dirt and debris.
Even if you use a body pillow cover, debris can permeate the pillow. This invites dust mites, bacteria, and other indoor allergens, triggering symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, or wheezing.
To avoid this, wash your body pillow at least once every 4 to 6 months. If you don’t use a cover, you should wash your body pillow at least once a month.
Since body pillows are much longer than standard pillows, washing them at home may seem challenging if you don’t know the right way to do it. In this article, we will guide you through different ways to clean your body pillows without damaging them.
Why It’s Crucial to Clean Your Body Pillow
Even with a pillow cover, your body pillow can still accumulate various types of debris from your hair, skin, and the air. This buildup typically includes dead skin cells, dust mites, sweat, saliva, and natural oils (sebum).
As this debris collects, it can lead to several problems. It may irritate your skin, trigger allergic reactions, and worsen existing skin or respiratory conditions.
If bacteria, fungus, or mold begins to grow in the pillow, it can turn into a significant health hazard, potentially contributing to illness. These pathogens can also cause unpleasant odors, making your sleep experience less comfortable.
To minimize this accumulation, it’s advisable to change your pillowcases at least once a week. However, pillowcases aren’t foolproof; they have microscopic gaps that may allow debris to pass through to the pillow.
For this reason, it’s essential to wash your body pillow every 3 to 6 months to keep it clean and hygienic.
Body Pillow Washing Guidelines
Generally, a body pillow measures 20 inches by 54 inches, while a standard bed pillow is 20 inches by 26 inches. Due to their long length, tossing a body pillow in a home washing machine can damage them and your machine.
If you don’t maintain and use your body pillow properly, you can damage the fill, causing the pillow to lose support. To properly maintain your pillow, we recommend following the instructions on the care tag.
The care tag has details about the fill and the casing materials with instructions on how to launder them. If you have accidentally torn or removed this tag, our detailed guide can help you.
First, let’s go over how to wash your body pillow based on its fill type. Down, feather, polyester, cotton, memory foam, and latex are the most common fill materials for body pillows.
How to Machine-Wash a Body Pillow
Machine washing is the most convenient method to clean your body pillow, saving you time and effort. However, not all body pillows are suitable for the washing machine, so it’s essential to check the label for specific care instructions before proceeding.
If your pillow is machine-washable, follow these steps to ensure it’s cleaned properly.
1. Wash the Pillow Separate
It’s best to wash your body pillow alone to avoid overcrowding the washing machine. If the machine is too full, your pillow won’t have enough space to be thoroughly cleaned, and its shape could be compromised.
Fold the pillow in half or wrap it around the washer drum to ensure that water and detergent can reach all areas. If the pillow is too large for your machine, consider taking it to a laundromat that has larger machines available.
2. Use a Mild Detergent
Opt for a gentle detergent when washing your body pillow. Dry detergent is often a better choice, as liquid detergent can cause clumping in feather or down-filled pillows and may be difficult to rinse out completely.
3. Choose Warm or Cold Water
Wash your body pillow with warm or cold water, based on the care label’s instructions. Avoid using hot water, as it can degrade the materials inside your pillow.
To ensure all detergent is removed, run a second rinse cycle. If your machine doesn’t have a dedicated second rinse option, manually reset it to repeat the rinse process.
4. Tumble Dry with Care
After washing, place your body pillow in the dryer and use a low heat setting. To help the pillow maintain its shape and fluffiness, toss in a couple of tennis balls or dryer balls.
Make sure the pillow is completely dry before taking it out, as moisture can lead to mold.
Feather and down pillows may take two to three hours to dry fully, so be prepared for a longer drying time.
5. Fluff the Pillow
Once the pillow is dry, fluff it by grabbing the corners and shaking it diagonally.
You can also gently knead the pillow to prevent lumps and restore its fullness. Regularly fluffing your body pillow will help maintain its loft and keep it looking fresh and comfortable.
How to Wash a Down, Polyester, or Cotton Body Pillow
Down refers to the soft feathers of ducks and geese found beneath the wings and on the belly. This natural fiber feels soft and warm and is commonly used in body pillows, but it can lead to allergic reactions in some people.
Often, dust particles accumulate in the down filling causing frequent sneezing or breathing difficulties. In such cases, pillow fills made of polyester, cotton, or cotton-polyester serve as a hypoallergenic alternative.
Body pillows with down, polyester, cotton, or cotton-poly blends are machine washable, but don’t cram them into your washer. This may affect their quality and damage your pillow.
If you use a top-loading washing machine, place the body pillow vertically curving around the agitator. In a front-loading washing machine, keep the pillow curved around the washer drum.
Overcrowding the drum prevents thorough cleaning as soap and water may not reach every part of the pillow. If your home washing machine does not have enough space, take your body pillows to the local laundromat.
Industrial-sized machines have room to accommodate two pillows together. This ensures your pillows don’t move too much during the washing process. Excess movement increases the chances of tearing. If you don’t have enough room for two pillows, throw in a towel to reduce vigorous pillow movement during washing. The towel and the pillow must be similar in color, otherwise, the dark color will bleed and stain the light-colored fabric.
Use a mild detergent, preferably powdered, as liquid detergents may be difficult to rinse off. Detergent residue causes feather or down to clump together, making the pillow uncomfortable.
Start the machine on a gentle or delicate cycle with warm or cold water. Avoid using hot water to wash your pillows, because the high temperature can break down the fill material, making your pillow unsupportive.
If possible, select an extra rinse cycle or run the washing machine again without the laundry detergent. This ensures your pillow is rinsed well.
Drying Process
Once the body pillows are washed, transfer them to a dryer. The same rule of not overcrowding the space applies while machine-drying as well. Tumble dry your pillows on low heat.
Depending on the fill type, some pillows may take longer than others. For example, polyester pillows dry faster than down or feather pillows. These pillows may take as long as 2 to 3 hours to dry.
To fluff your pillows, throw clean tennis balls or wool balls into the machine. These dryer balls spin around, preventing the pillow fill from clumping together during the drying process. This reduces the chances of moisture-retention.
Before inserting the pillow into the cover, ensure it’s thoroughly dried. Moisture traces can lead to mold and mildew growth.
How to Wash a Memory Foam or Latex Body Pillow
Memory foam and latex body pillows contour to the body, relieving pressure points and alleviating pain. While memory foam conforms more closely than all-natural latex foam, latex pillows are an excellent choice for organic shoppers. All-natural latex is derived from the sap of rubber trees, making them naturally cooling and hypoallergenic.
Both types of pillows should be hand-washed as the vigorous spinning in the washing machine can break down the latex and memory foam.
Since body pillows are larger than most other pillow sizes, they won’t fit in a bucket so wash them in your bathtub. First, clean your bathtub to ensure dirt and germs from the tub are not transferred to your pillow. Then plug the drain and fill it with cold or warm water, as hot water will damage the foam.
Add a single cap full of gentle detergent, swirling it in the water.
Immerse the pillow in the soapy water, then squeeze out the water by gently pressing it. Don’t twist or pull the pillow to avoid damaging the foam.
Drain out the soapy water, then refill the tub with fresh water. Repeat the process of immersing and gently squeezing the pillow until there are zero traces of soap or water in the pillow.
Drying Process
After cleaning these foam body pillows, lay them flat on a clean surface under the sun. The high heat from the sun can also kill bacteria and other indoor allergens in your pillows.
Remove the pillows from direct sunlight after an hour or two. Excess exposure to sunlight can discolor your pillows. Finish up the drying process with an indoor fan.
Spot Cleaning a Body Pillow
If you see a small stain on your pillow, spot clean it immediately so it doesn’t set. You don’t need to wash a pillow after spot cleaning it.
Dip a damp rag in mild detergent and gently rub the stain. Use a white or light-colored clean cloth, because dark colors may bleed. Rub the cloth, making inward circular motions so you don’t spread the stain. Once the stain is removed, use another fresh damp cloth to rinse off the soap spots.
If the stains can’t be removed this way, sprinkle some baking soda on it. Let this natural stain remover sit for an hour. Vacuum clean the baking soda using the upholstery brush attachment. Follow this up with the detergent spot-cleaning process, mentioned above.
Dry the pillow by either placing it in a dryer or under the sun, depending on its fill. Ensure the pillow is completely dry before replacing the cover.
How to Properly Hand-Wash a Body Pillow
Hand-washing is an excellent cleaning method if your body pillow is made from delicate materials or is too large for your washing machine. It’s especially recommended for pillows made of latex, memory foam, or when the care label lacks cleaning instructions. Follow the steps below to hand-wash your body pillow gently and effectively.
Prepare a Cleaning Solution
Fill your bathtub or a large bucket with cold water and mix in a mild detergent. Avoid using hot water, as it can damage the materials in your pillow.
Gently Clean the Pillow
Submerge your body pillow in the soapy water until it’s fully soaked. Once the pillow is saturated, gently massage the detergent into the fabric for several minutes to remove any dirt or buildup.
Rinse Thoroughly
Drain the tub or bucket, refill it with clean water, and continue massaging the pillow until all the soap is rinsed out. Carefully squeeze out excess water, but be sure not to wring or twist the pillow, as this could distort its shape.
Air Dry the Pillow
After thoroughly rinsing, lay your pillow flat in front of a fan or in a sunny spot to air dry.
If drying in direct sunlight, remove the pillow after one to two hours to prevent discoloration. Ensure it is completely dry before use, so it regains its fluffiness.
| Stain Type | Solution | Instructions |
| Oil/Grease | Baking soda and dish soap | Sprinkle baking soda on the stain, let sit for 10-15 minutes, then apply a small amount of dish soap and scrub gently. Rinse with warm water. |
| Ink | Rubbing alcohol | Dab the stain with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Blot the stain, then rinse with clean water. Repeat if necessary. |
| Coffee/Tea | Vinegar and water | Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Dab the stain with the mixture using a cloth, then rinse with cold water. |
| Wine | Salt and cold water | Blot the stain with cold water, then cover with salt. Let sit for a few minutes before rinsing with more cold water. |
| Sweat | Lemon juice and salt | Apply lemon juice to the stain, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit in the sun. Rinse with cold water afterward. |
| Makeup | Makeup remover or shaving cream | Apply makeup remover or shaving cream to the stain, then blot gently with a clean cloth. Rinse with water. |
| Mud | Liquid dish soap and cold water | Let mud dry, brush off excess, mix liquid dish soap with cold water, and dab the stain. Rinse thoroughly. |
| Urine | White vinegar and baking soda | Blot the stain, apply a mixture of white vinegar and water, and let sit. Sprinkle with baking soda, let dry, then vacuum. |
| Chocolate | Dish soap and warm water | Scrape off excess chocolate, apply dish soap, and gently rub. Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary. |
| Grass | White vinegar and water | Mix vinegar with water, apply to the stain, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water. |
Important Things to Check Before Washing Your Body Pillow
Washing your body pillow improperly can lead to irreparable damage and significantly reduce its lifespan. If your body pillow needs a refresh, the first step is to check the care instructions.
It’s crucial to understand the material your pillow is made from and follow any specific washing recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
The correct method for washing a body pillow depends on several factors, including material, temperature, detergent type, and the washing technique.
Common Materials Found in Body Pillows
You can usually find information about the materials on the pillow’s tag or by contacting the manufacturer.
Some of the most common materials used in body pillows include down, synthetic down alternatives, cotton, polyester, memory foam, and latex or natural rubber foam.
It’s important to note that washing memory foam or latex foam pillows is not advisable, as these materials are quite delicate. If your foam pillow starts to develop a musty smell, a simple solution is to remove the cover and allow the pillow to air out for a day or two.
Fresh air and sunlight can work wonders! For spills or stains on foam body pillows, spot cleaning is a safer and more effective option.
How to Clean a Body Pillow in a Washing Machine
Generally, it’s best to avoid machine-washing body pillows. Machine washing can damage most body pillows by causing them to lose their shape and support.
The key to keeping your body pillow clean is to wash the cover frequently and keep the inner pillow fresh with regular spot cleaning. For this reason, it’s ideal to choose a body pillow with a removable cover that’s easy to clean.
Appropriate Washing Temperatures for Body Pillows
While most body pillows don’t fare well in washing machines, some materials can withstand washing at a low temperature on a gentle cycle.
However, even pillows made from these materials can lose their softness and shape if washed too often.
So, can you put a body pillow in the washing machine?
If your pillow is filled with down, cotton, or polyester, it may be possible to machine wash it using cold water. Always verify this by checking the manufacturer’s instructions first.
Water temperature is also an important factor when washing body pillow covers.
The care label will typically indicate the correct washing temperature. For example, when a label says “wash cold,” “wash warm,” or “wash hot,” it refers to specific temperature ranges. Cold washing generally means between 65°F and 86°F, while warm washing can go up to 105°F, and hot washing can reach up to 120°F.
Choosing the Right Detergent for Body Pillows
Depending on your body pillow’s fabric, there may also be specific detergent recommendations. If your pillowcase is made from natural fibers, a mild, natural detergent is the best option to preserve its condition.
For those with sensitive skin, a fragrance-free detergent is often a safer choice. It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s instructions for detergent recommendations specific to your body pillow to ensure it stays clean and comfortable.
FAQs
Can you put a body pillow in the washing machine?
Yes, most body pillows can be machine washed, except for latex and memory foam pillows, because the intense spinning damages the foam. If your pillow is too large for the washing machine, don’t cram your washer, instead, take it to a local laundromat. However, it is best to check the washing instructions on the pillow’s care tag. Some pillows need to be washed with cold water only and dried in a no heat setting.
How long do body pillows last?
Body pillows may last between 1 to 3 years, depending on the fill type. Generally, latex and memory foam body pillows are more durable than polyester fiber stuffed body pillows, which lose support after a few years of use.
Can You Use a Dryer to Eliminate Bed Bugs from Pillows?
If you suspect that your pillows may be harboring bed bugs or dust mites, placing them in the dryer along with pillowcases and sheets on high heat for 20 to 30 minutes can effectively eliminate these pests.
The high heat will kill bed bugs at any stage of their life cycle.
However, if the care label on your pillow advises against using a dryer, it’s best to dispose of the pillow and replace it with a new one.
What’s the Best Way to Clean a Yellowed Body Pillow?
Over time, your body pillow may develop a yellow tint due to the buildup of body oils, sweat, and dirt. To refresh your pillow, you can use this simple cleaning solution:
- Prepare the Cleaning Mixture: Combine equal parts of powder laundry detergent, powder dishwashing detergent, bleach, and a solution of borax and warm water in equal parts. Stir the mixture thoroughly and let it sit for a few minutes before adding it to your washing machine’s detergent dispenser.
- Wash the Pillow: Place no more than one pillow in the washing machine at a time. Run a regular wash cycle using the prepared cleaning solution.
- Dry the Pillow: After washing, dry your body pillow in the dryer on a low heat setting. Adding dryer balls can help maintain the pillow’s fluffiness.
Can I wash my down pillow?
Yes, contrary to popular belief, down pillows can be machine-washed. However, before washing, make sure there are no pinholes or perforations in the cover (usually added for extra breathability). Machine washing can tear the holes open, scattering the fill material in your washer drum and ruining your pillow. Also, check the care tag to find out whether to use warm or cold water, and low heat or no heat setting in the dryer.
How do you machine wash a pillow without ruining it?
If your pillow is machine washable, add a small amount of detergent and wash it with cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. Choose the extra rinse wash cycle to avoid soap build-up. If you don’t have the extra rinse setting in your machine, run the wash cycle again without detergent. Since body pillows are large, you may need to take them to the local laundromat to avoid damaging them.
How do you fluff a pillow in the dryer?
Use a clean tennis ball to fluff your pillows in the dryer. First, put the tennis ball in a sock, tying it up at the end. Then throw it in the dryer along with your pillow and run it on low heat for 20 minutes. Your body pillow will come out feeling as fluffy as new, but if you’ve just washed the pillow, then run the dryer for 2 to 3 hours to dry and fluff your pillow.
How Do You Properly Wash a Body Pillowcase?
Regular washing of your body pillowcase is essential for keeping it fresh and clean. Here’s how to properly clean your body pillowcase by following these simple steps:
- Review the pillowcase label for instructions — Start by checking the label on your body pillowcase for specific washing and drying instructions. It’s important to follow these directions carefully to prevent any damage to the fabric.
- Determine the material of the pillowcase — If your pillowcase doesn’t have a label, you’ll need to identify the material it’s made from. This will help you decide whether the pillowcase should be machine-washed or hand-washed, and also guide you in selecting the right detergent.
- Decide whether to wash the case separately or with similar fabrics — Most pillowcases are made from materials similar to clothing, so you likely won’t need to wash it separately. However, make sure to wash it with fabrics of a similar color, whether that’s light or dark, to avoid any color bleeding.
Conclusion
Certain body pillows are more difficult to wash than others because they need hand washing. This process can be tedious and take a lot of your time, but doing so is necessary to maintain a hygienic sleep environment.
Washing cannot be avoided, but its frequency can be reduced by using pillow covers.
They protect your pillows from liquid spills and also prevent the accumulation of sweat, body oil, dead skin cells, dust mites and other indoor allergens. Make sure you wash the covers once a week, like your bedsheets.
To fluff your pillows, air them out in between washes. Once a month, lay them flat on a clean surface in the sun for an hour.
The high heat from the sun absorbs traces of moisture and kills allergens, imparting a fresh smell to your pillow.
