Let’s be honest, almost no one washes their pillows as often as they should. And we spend half our life with our face stuck to them. But how often should we wash them? In summer? In winter? And what do we sleep with that night? Well, you should know that over time they fill up with sweat, mites, dead skin cells, makeup residue… and yes, also drool (more than we would like to admit!) And there they are, day after day taking care of our dreams while we forget that we have to wash them…
Out of laziness, out of forgetting… it can end up affecting your skin, your rest and even allergies! So yes, you have to wash them from time to time, but we are going to explain how to do it without ruining them and what is the trick that cleaning specialists recommend to keep them in perfect condition and with no effort.
How often do you have to wash pillows?
Uh, the question… We should wash them (according to specialists) between two and four times a year, but if you have a protective cover so the pillow does not get full of drool, be careful because you should wash the covers once a week because they are the first barrier against all the mix of moisture and dirt that accumulates.
And another thing that surprises us is that many experts recommend leaving them in the sun for ten minutes a week to remove moisture, odors, and delay washing quite a bit if you are a bit lazy (we are not judging you, at all).
Which ones go in the washing machine?
Feather and synthetic ones, straight to the washing machine, on a gentle cycle and warm water. If you want to remove odors, a splash of cleaning vinegar, but what experts recommend to make them come out perfect is:
- Use neutral detergent.
- No fabric softener.
- Put in two clean tennis balls (or dryer balls) so the filling does not clump.
As they move inside the drum, the filling goes back to its original shape and does not become that hard “block” that ends up being uncomfortable.
Memory foam and latex
These materials take a long time to dry and if they get soaked, they can deform or even get ruined. So no washing machine. For these pillows, the best is to clean the surface with a damp cloth, add a few drops of neutral soap and let them air out for hours (without direct sun) so they stay clean and do not lose their shape.
If you have allergies or sensitive skin…
You have to be more strict, wash at 60º to eliminate mites, use hypoallergenic covers and take advantage of the steam function in washing machines. And yes, if you have allergies or lung conditions, the best is to also change all the bed sheets once a week (not the blankets or the duvet, obviously!!)
No pillow lasts forever
Even though we would love our pillow to last forever, we should replace them every two years, even earlier if lumps, stains appear or they lose firmness. Basically because a deformed pillow can cause neck problems, headaches and affect your cervical spine.
The star trick
Here is our favorite trick, it is easy, it does not cost much money and it will make life much faster:
- Sprinkle baking soda all over the surface.
- Let it sit for a while while it airs out.
- Shake well to remove it.
The baking soda absorbs moisture, neutralizes odors and leaves the pillow fresh without having to wash it. Perfect to keep it “in check” between washes.
Taking care of pillows is…
Taking care of your rest, sheets are not everything, and neither is the mattress. A pillow in good condition makes you have a deeper and more restorative sleep! Trust us, you will see that you will sleep much better (and everything will be much cleaner!)