It can sometimes be hard to find a pillow that you love, but when you do, you want to keep it for as long as possible. So, it’s good to know that you don’t have to replace your synthetic pillow if you start to detect a slight odour — that’s probably just a bit of sweat that can be easily washed away.

Even if your pillows aren’t quite as comfy or fluffy as they once were, a good wash and dry can perk them right up again. You just have to make sure to do it correctly, so with this guide, we will tell you exactly how to accomplish that.

CAN YOU WASH synthetic PILLOWS?

Believe it or not, there are many people who are not even sure they should wash their pillows. As you may have gathered, not only can you wash them, but you really should also. There are probably even more people who have tried washing their pillows and ended up with uncomfortable lumpy sacks of filling or worse. That’s why it’s important to know the correct way to wash your particular pillows.

CAN YOU WASH YOUR synthetic PILLOWS IN THE WASHING MACHINE?

You can wash many types of pillows in the washing machine, but not all. For instance, generally speaking, hollowfibre pillows can easily be machine washed, and some natural-filled pillows like feather pillows can be machine washed, but you have to do so very carefully.

Memory foam pillows should not go into washing machines, because the agitation can easily break up their padding. The best way to clean these is to spot clean any soiled areas using a cloth that has been dipped into a sudsy blend of water and mild soap then rinse those areas carefully with a damp cloth.

You should always try to wash two pillows at the same time. Not only does that balance the load in your washer, but it also allows the water and detergent to circulate much more effectively. If you have a top loading washing machine with an agitator pole in the centre, you should stand the pillows up vertically and set the machine on its gentlest, shortest cycle because the agitators can be rough enough on pillows to shorten their lifespans.

Now we will give you the precise step-by-step instructions on how to wash synthetic hollowfibre pillows.

1. CHECK THE LABEL ON YOUR PILLOW

Just as you do with new clothes, you will want to check the label on your pillow before washing it to see what method of cleaning it is suggested. The label, which will be sewn into the seam of the duvet, will tell you what temperature setting to use and set out any other instructions you need to follow. Check the label to determine what temperature setting to use.

2. PRE-TREAT ANY STAINS

There are any number of tough stains that can find their way onto pillows. Makeup, hair products, even blood and other types of stains that regular detergent just isn’t up to removing alone must be pre-treated before you wash the pillow. The washing instructions label should also tell you whether you should not use bleach or other chemicals when washing your pillow, and that applies to pre-treating it, as well.

3. SET YOUR WASH TEMPERATURE AND RUN CYCLE

Unless your synthetic hollowfibre pillow’s washing instructions specify otherwise, using a 40-degree wash temperature and a normal spin setting is usually recommended. And, of course, don't forget to add your washing detergent.

4. ONCE FINISHED, CHECK FOR SOAP RESIDUE

It’s very important to check to see whether there is any remaining soap residue on your pillow once it’s finished washing. Because if there is, you will need to put it through another cycle. Your pillow really needs to be completely free of any soap whatsoever before it's dried, so you may want to try using a wash setting with an extra spin cycle, just to make sure.

5. TRANSFER TO YOUR DRYER

Knowing how to dry your synthetic pillows is every bit as important as knowing how to wash them. You don’t need to use any heat at all. Simply set your dryer to a low air-drying setting. Dryer balls, or even tennis balls, can be placed in the dryer with your pillows to help spread the hollowfibre fill material more evenly and give it a little extra fluff. They will make a bit of noise but won’t hurt your dryer.

HOW TO DRY YOUR synthetic PILLOWS

The best method for drying your hollowfibre filled pillows is to use a tumble dryer, but you can also certainly hang your pillows out to dry or use a drying rack. Pillows will usually need about an hour in a dryer and several hours to become completely dry by air drying. It’s more important than you might realise for your pillows to be completely dry before you use them again, because mould and bacteria can flourish in even a small amount of dampness.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR PILLOW?

It’s not only important to wash your pillows properly, but you also need to wash them regularly. It’s preferable to wash pillows about 3 times a year or roughly every 4 months. Pillows can turn yellow, which is why it's important to wash them at least once a year to keep them in their best condition.

Now you know exactly how to keep your favourite synthetic pillows as fresh and clean as possible. How often you should change your pillows depends on a few different things, such as what type of filling they have and how well they’re maintained. Making sure they are regularly washed and dried properly will go a long way toward having them last as long as possible.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR synthetic PILLOWs CLEAN?

You can do several things to help keep your synthetic hollowfibre pillows clean and fresh between washings.

The easiest thing to do is to remove any pillow covers, put your pillows into a dryer with a damp washcloth, dryer balls and a dryer sheet, and use it on a low heat setting for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This simple process will help fluff and freshen your synthetic pillow in between full washes.

You can also use pillow protectors and pillowcases over your pillows that can be changed out between washings, but that’s a matter of comfort and preference. These can be beneficial as they’re quicker and simpler to wash than the actual pillow, and act as a barrier between dirt and debris and your pillow.

TO SUMMARISE

Whilst washing your synthetic pillows can be daunting, this guide should have given you some pointers as to how to effectively ensure you are able to wash them to keep them fresh, clean, and performing to their potential so that you can get the most from your EarthKind™ synthetic pillows for as long as possible.