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The quality of your sleep each night might be affected by the pillow you choose to rest your head on. Making sure your pillows maintain their quality even after repeated use is equally crucial. This entails understanding how and when to clean your pillows without destroying their fill content or contour.
I asked several cleaning professionals for advice and product recommendations in order to determine the best method for cleaning pillows. I go over their suggestions and suggested pillow cleaning techniques below.
GO Ahead and SkipWhat kinds of pillows are there? How may pillows be cleaned?
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The best products for cleaning pillows
Based on at least 500 reviews, the cleaning products listed below have an average rating of at least five stars on Amazon.
The best products for cleaning pillows
SureGuard Pillow Protector (Set of 2)
$27.17
$29.97
Amazon
Resolve Upholstery & Multifabric Spot and Stainer Remover
$4.97
Amazon
$5.22
Walmart
Oxiclean Odor Blasters Stain Remover
$12.08
$13.99
Amazon
$10.49
The target
$9.28
Walmart
Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray
$6.44
Amazon
$6.44
Walmart
$10.22
The Home Depot
Hersven Mattress Vacuum Cleaner
$89.99
$109.99
Amazon
$101.68
$127.10
Sears
What are the different types of pillows?
According to Kadi Dulude, owner of the cleaning business Wizard of Homes, it’s critical to identify the sort of pillows you have before washing them because this will dictate the most effective cleaning method. Similar to beds, pillows frequently have a few standard fill types, which I’ve listed below.
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Down:
Down refers to down feathers, which come from the soft feathers of geese and ducks, according toTextile Exchange
, a non-profit organization that focuses on education of the textile industry. It s prized for its durability, breathability and softness. Pillows made with down have different types of lofts, which influences their size and thickness, according to the organization.
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Down alternative:
As the name implies, down alternative pillows are made of a synthetic material meant to resemble the feel and loft of authentic down pillows. Often made of materials like polyester, down alternative pillows are a good choice for people who use pillows with a non-animal based fill material. Down alternative pillows are also typically less expensive than traditional down, according to theSleep Foundation
.
-
Memory foam:
Created by aNASA-funded research team
, memory foam is an open-cell foam material known for its energy-absorbing properties. While extremely comfortable to sleep on, memory foam can hold onto a lot of moisture, according to cleaning experts I ve previously spoken with. Many pillows and mattresses are memory foam because of these characteristics.
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Latex:
Compared to memory foam, latex foam is bouncier and more elastic giving it a fast response time, according toSleepopolis
, a site that provides information about the sleep industry. Latex pillows have a similar texture to memory foam ones and should be treated similarly. Down or feather pillows usually do well in a gentle cycle with mild detergent, while memory foam or latex pillows shouldn t go in the washer; instead, they should be spot-cleaned or vacuumed, according to Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at
ProHousekeepers
.
How to clean pillows
How to clean down and down alternative pillows
How to clean memory foam and latex pillows
Frequently Asked Questions
The type of pillow and the manufacturer’s instructions will determine this. Certain types of pillows, such as cotton, down, and down substitute pillows, are machine washable. According to Dulude, it’s recommended to use cold water and a gentle cycle while cleaning them in a washing machine. Experts I’ve spoken to say that if soaked in water, dense memory foam or latex pillows may take a long time to dry and may develop mold, so it’s usually preferable to clean them by hand rather than in the washing machine. Cleaning and deodorizing a mattress made of the same materials works similarly.
Rodriguez suggests cleaning your pillows every three to six months, but this varies from person to person. According to her, doing this will help prevent allergens and dust mites from accumulating on your pillows.
Sweat and other bodily fluids are usually the cause of yellow stains on bedding, particularly pillows and pillowcases. You can attempt alternative techniques for cleaning and bleaching yellow-stained pillows because Dulude advises against using bleach because it may harm the cushions. This includes items like Boracaor washing soda and OxiClean White Revive. Use a washcloth, stain remover, and a soft bristle brush for latex or memory foam cushions.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.
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Kadi Dulude
is the founder of home cleaning services companyWizard of Homes
.
-
Jennifer Rodriguez
is the chief hygiene officer at home cleaning services companyProHouskeepers
.
Why trust NBC Select?
I work as a commerce editor for NBC Select, where I frequently cover cleaning-related issues like how to remove mold, clean grout, and bleach-free clothes whitening techniques. For this narrative, I sought advice from two cleaning specialists and used my own knowledge to guide the steps.
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