Summer is here, temperatures are rising, sweat is running down your forehead and your good old duvet is pushing all that summer luxury back into your face. If you thought to yourself when changing your bed sheets: “My pillow was once as white as an Alpine peak,” you’re not alone. How to wash your pillow in the washing machine?! Washing your pillow is not just an aesthetic whim, but the key to better sleep, fewer allergies and the feeling of spending the night in a five-star room. In the following steps, we’ll show you how to restore the sparkling whiteness with kitchen classics – without irritating chemicals and expensive products.
How to wash your pillow in the washing machine? Every night, your head secretes its “VIP” care onto your pillow: from sweat, makeup to skin serum and dust that just won’t go away on these hot days. If you’re letting this “healthy memory foam” of uninvited dust mites and bacteria in, your sleep will be more like a horror movie than a summer ghost on a sailboat. Especially if you wake up with a stuffy nose or itchy cheeks, it’s time to throw your pillow in the washing machine every 2-4 months, and maybe even more often for allergy sufferers.
Which pillows survive machine washing?
- Suitable: synthetic fibers, cotton, down and feathers (if well sewn).
- Unsuitable: memory foam, latex (hand care or dry cleaning preferred instead of machine).
Hint: In a front-load machine, you can throw two pillows together (to balance the drum), or in a top-load model, place them vertically along the perimeter of the drum and check to make sure they don't clump together.
Summer “five-star” trick for natural whiteness
Forget about aggressive bleaches – your home bar-combi already has everything you need. A combination that proves to be a real “power couple” in the fight against yellowish fabrics:
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide (natural bleach)
- ½ cup baking soda (neutralizes odors, relieves softness)
- 1 cup white vinegar (disinfects and breaks down stubborn residues)
- 1 tablespoon liquid detergent (breaks down grease and makeup)
Procedure – How to wash a pillow in a washing machine:
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- Check the pillow: Repair any tears.
- Ungroup covers: Wash them separately to avoid overloading the filler.
- Right into the drum: Pour all ingredients directly into the drum (without classic bleach or fabric softener).
- Program and temperature: Maximum allowed temperature for the fabric + “bulky items” or delicates program.
- Extra rinse: We recommend another cycle so that detergent residue doesn't marinate your pillow.
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Drying: The Key to Fluffy (and Mold-Free)
High heat is summer's number one enemy, even in the dryer. First: the “low heat” or “air dry” program. Add two clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls (in a sock so they don't rattle) – this will keep the filling fluffy and prevent it from clumping together. Drying can take up to 2 hours; complete dryness is essential, otherwise you'll be inviting mold into your home instead of an allergy filter. If you have the chance, leave the pillow in the summer sun for a few hours at the end – it will provide UV disinfection, and you'll be able to take an Instagram photo.
How often to wash and when to replace
- Washing pillows: every 3–4 months (allergy sufferers: every 2).
- Coatings and protections: weekly.
- Changing the pillow: synthetic every 2 years, feather about every 3 years or as soon as it becomes flattened and “flabby” and smells of moisture.
Conclusion: How to wash a pillow in a washing machine
Your pillow is not just a soft blanket for your head – it is a diary of all those nights when you sweated from the heat, smiled with summer daydreams or sometimes even rang with the pulse of pileless technology (read: phone under the pillow). With regular, natural washing, you can restore it to its hotel whiteness and a feeling of “mini-luxury” with every touch. Share your experiences: did your pillow also survive the summer in the “sunburn edition” style? Comment below and don’t forget to share the article with your washing adventure companions!
