Having comfortable and clean bed pillows is essential for getting a good night’s sleep, whether you have polyester filled or memory foam pillows. However, over time, your comforter and pillows lose their fluff and accumulate dirt from sweat, makeup, and hair oils. We’ll show you how to wash polyester pillows to remove everyday dirt and stains.
There are many types of pillows, ranging from inexpensive synthetic pillows to high priced feather pillows, foam pillows, or the popular My Pillows. If you are allergic to down pillows but still desire the soft and squishy feel of the right pillow, then a polyester filled bed pillow is the right choice.
Not only are they comfortable, but this type of pillow is easy to maintain and clean. Spot clean pillows with a small amount of laundry detergent, wash them in the washer and dryer, and freshen them in-between washing to keep them smelling fresh.
Washing and Maintaining Polyester Pillows
It’s essential to keep your bedding clean to prevent allergy-causing dust mites and mildew growth. Before you run out and buy new pillows, there are several ways to wash pillows to keep them fresh, clean, and fluffy. But be sure to follow our guide to avoid shrinking polyester pillows or damaging the delicate exterior.
Can You Wash Polyester Pillows?
We often get asked, “Can you wash polyester pillows?” The best way to clean pillows is in the washing machine, including polyester pillows, but sometimes they only require a quick freshening.
Remove the pillow from the pillowcase or your washable throw pillow from the upholstery covering and set it aside for cleaning. Sprinkle the entire surface of the pillow with a light coating of baking soda. Let it rest for an hour or so and then use the hose attachment on your vacuum to suck away the loose baking soda.
Place the pillow into the clothes dryer and toss in a couple of dryer balls. Put the dryer on the tumble dry setting to bring the fluffing of your pillow back to life.
How to Wash Polyester Blankets and Pillows to Remove Stains
If your pillow is clean but has a small stain on it, a quick spot cleaning is easy for getting stains out of polyester. Here is how to wash polyester blankets and pillows to remove tough stains.
Combine the warm water and liquid soap in a bowl and agitate the soapy water. Dip a clean cloth into the water and apply it to the stain on a body pillow cover or another type of pillow. Blot gently from the outside inward until the stain is gone. Let the pillow air dry before putting on a clean pillowcase.
If you have furry pillows and blankets, the best way to remove cat hair from blankets is to put them in the dryer first before washing. The dryer will remove most of the fur and not clog the mechanisms in the washing machine.
How to Wash Polyester Pillows in the Washer and Dryer
Polyester-filled pillows are easy to clean in the washer using the delicate cycle. However, check the care label before proceeding. You don’t want to have to worry about the best way to unshrink polyester after you take the pillow from the washing machine.
Different cleaning techniques are required for cleaning foam pillows to ensure that you do not damage the material.
Add the laundry detergent to the washer and turn the setting to the gentle cycle with warm or cold water. Place two pillows in at once to balance the weight if you have a top loader washer with a center agitator. After the wash cycle completes, run another rinse cycle for an extra rinse.
Fluff the pillow by hand and then place it into the dryer and toss in a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls. Set the machine to medium or low heat and stop it every 15 minutes during the drying process to hand fluff the pillow.
Keeping Polyester Pillows Fresh and Clean
There are a few steps to keep your pillows fluffy and fresh while ensuring they stand the test of time. If you have bed pests such as bed bugs and mites, consider using homemade sprays for bed bugs to eliminate them.
Pillow Maintenance
There are things to keep in mind when washing pillows. Always check the care label beforehand and avoid using hot water and bleach to prevent damaging the filling and cover. Inspect your pillow for rips and tears before washing it.
If you plan on hanging your pillow to air dry on a clothesline, make sure that you remove excess water by pressing it between dry towels before drying them.
Placing your pillows into a pillowcase, duvet, or pillow cover is a great way to keep your pillows from staining, but they only go so far at keeping them fresh and clean. Therefore, it’s essential to clean your pillows regularly to remove the build-up of everyday dirt.
Luckily, polyester pillows are machine washable, as long as you use a mild detergent with the correct settings on your washer and dryer.
We’re pleased we could show you how to wash polyester pillows so that you get a good night’s sleep, and we’d love it if you’d share our pillow cleaning tips with your family and friends on Facebook and Pinterest.