Over time, bed pillows absorb sweat, drool, body oils, and dead skin cells. Even with a pillowcase, these residues seep through, leading to yellow stains, a musty odor, and a flat, lumpy feel.
The good news is that most pillows—whether down, feather, or polyester fiberfill—can be washed at home. Here is a comprehensive guide to getting your pillows white, fresh, and fluffy again.
1. Check the Label First
Before doing anything, look at the manufacturer’s tag.
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Memory foam or latex pillows: Do not submerge these in water. They act like sponges and will take days to dry, leading to mold. These require spot cleaning only (see the section at the bottom).
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Down, feather, or polyester pillows: These are generally safe to machine wash.
2. The Pre-Treatment (For Yellow Stains)
If your pillows have yellowed from sweat and oil, standard detergent alone won’t fix it. You need a stain-fighting pre-treatment. You have two great options:
Option A: The Laundry Stripping Soak (Best for heavy stains/odor)
Fill a bathtub or a large utility sink halfway with hot water. Add:
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¼ cup of liquid laundry detergent (or powdered)
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¼ cup of Borax
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¼ cup of Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda)
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½ cup of White Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide
Submerge the pillows and let them soak for 4 to 6 hours (or overnight), agitating them with a broom handle every hour or so to push the grime out. The water will likely turn a disgusting brownish-yellow—that means it’s working!
Option B: The Quick Paste (Best for spot stains)
Mix 1 part Dawn dish soap, 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, and a few tablespoons of baking soda to form a paste. Rub this into the yellowed areas and let it sit for 30–60 minutes before washing.
3. The Washing Machine Cycle
To keep the pillows from clumping or unbalancing your machine, always wash two pillows at a time. If you only have one, throw in a few clean white towels to balance the drum.
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Load: Put the pillows in the washing machine vertically (standing up) if you have a top-loader, or placed evenly around the drum if you have a front-loader.
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Detergent: Use about half the normal amount of a good-quality liquid detergent. (Too much soap leaves residue that makes pillows dingy).
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The Magic Additive: Instead of fabric softener (which coats the fibers and traps odors), pour ½ cup of White Vinegar directly into the fabric softener compartment. Vinegar naturally breaks down body oils, kills odor-causing bacteria, and acts as a natural fabric softener.
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Cycle Settings: Use the Gentle or Delicate cycle with Hot or Warm water.
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Extra Rinse: This is crucial. Run an extra rinse and spin cycle to ensure every trace of soap is out of the fibers. Trapped soap will attract dirt and make the pillows smell sour later.
4. The Drying Process (Crucial!)
This is the step where most people go wrong. A pillow that dries too slowly will smell musty or grow mildew on the inside.
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Toss in Dryer Balls: Place the pillows in the dryer with 2–3 wool dryer balls or a couple of clean tennis balls. This helps beat the pillows as they dry, restoring their fluff and preventing the filling from clumping.
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Heat Setting: Use Low to Medium heat. High heat can melt polyester fillings or scorch down feathers.
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Time: Be patient. It can take 2 to 3 hours to fully dry a pillow.
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The “Dry Test”: Every 30 minutes, pull the pillow out and squeeze it hard. If it feels damp or cold in the center, it’s not done. Put it back in. For down pillows, this process also helps break up wet clumps of feathers.
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Sun Bath (Optional but recommended): Once fully dry, hang the pillows outside in direct sunlight for a few hours. UV rays are a natural antibacterial and whitening agent, and they will leave your pillows smelling incredibly fresh.
5. How to Clean Memory Foam Pillows (Spot Clean Only)
Because memory foam cannot be submerged, you have to clean it manually:
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Strip the bed and remove the pillow’s protective cover.
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Vacuum: Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to suck up dust, dead skin, and dust mites from both sides of the pillow.
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Spot Clean: Mix a small bowl of lukewarm water with a drop of mild laundry detergent or dish soap.
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Scrub: Dip a clean white cloth into the soapy water and wring it out so it is damp, not wet. Gently dab and scrub the stained areas.
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Deodorize: Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire pillow and let it sit for 4–8 hours (or all day). The baking soda will absorb the body oils and musty smells.
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Vacuum Again: Vacuum off all the baking soda.
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Dry: Spray the pillow lightly with a mixture of water and a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or eucalyptus) if you want a light scent, and allow it to air dry completely in the sun or in a well-ventilated room before putting the case back on.
How to Keep Them Fresh Longer
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Use Zippered Protectors: Buy zippered, waterproof (or water-resistant) pillow protectors to go between the pillow and the pillowcase. Wash these once a month.
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Wash Pillowcases Weekly: Your face and hair oils transfer to the case and then seep into the pillow. Change the case at least once a week.
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Fluff Daily: Fluffing your pillows every morning helps air them out and prevents the filling from packing down.
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Wash Quarterly: Aim to wash your pillows themselves every 3 to 4 months to prevent permanent yellowing and dust mite buildup.