Reading pillows get heavy use. Between daily reading sessions, television watching, laptop work, and general lounging, a well-used reading pillow absorbs body oils, sweat, skin cells, and occasionally food and drink spills. The large size and dense fill make cleaning more involved than tossing a standard pillow in the washing machine. Proper cleaning and maintenance extends the pillow’s lifespan and keeps it hygienic for the hours you spend pressed against it.
Removable Cover Care
Most reading pillows have a removable outer cover secured by a zip. Remove and wash this cover every two weeks during regular use, or weekly during illness recovery when the pillow sees extended daily contact. Machine wash on a gentle cycle at 30 to 40°C with mild detergent. Avoid bleach and fabric softener: bleach weakens the fabric fibres, and fabric softener leaves a coating that reduces the cover’s breathability.
Tumble dry on low heat or line dry depending on the fabric. Cotton and cotton-blend covers can handle low tumble drying. Velour and microfibre covers may develop a flattened texture from tumble drying and benefit from line drying followed by a brief tumble (five to ten minutes) to restore softness. Check the cover zip before washing: a broken or open zip allows the cover to snag inside the machine and tear. Zip it closed and turn the cover inside out to protect both the zip and the outer fabric.
Spot Cleaning the Fill
The inner pillow (the fill and its casing) cannot typically go in a standard household washing machine due to size and fill type. Spot clean stains using a damp cloth with a mild soap solution. Blot rather than rub: rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric and fill. For food or drink spills that have soaked through the cover, address the stain immediately: lift the cover, blot excess liquid from the inner casing, then apply a small amount of upholstery cleaner or diluted dish soap.
For memory foam fill (either solid or shredded), never soak the foam in water. Memory foam absorbs water like a sponge and takes days to dry completely. Trapped moisture inside dense foam promotes mould growth that makes the pillow unusable. If the foam itself becomes wet, squeeze out as much water as possible (do not wring, which tears the foam), then place the pillow in a well-ventilated area or near a fan until completely dry. This may take 24 to 48 hours.
Milliard Reading Pillow with Arms
Deep Cleaning Methods
Every three to four months, deep clean the reading pillow fill using one of these methods depending on fill type. For shredded foam or polyester fill, some reading pillows can be machine washed in a commercial (large capacity) washer. Check the care label: if machine washing is permitted, use a gentle cycle with cold water and minimal detergent. Run an extra spin cycle to remove as much water as possible, then air dry completely before reinstalling the cover.
For solid foam reading pillows or those not suitable for machine washing, use the vacuum and deodorise method. Remove the cover, then vacuum the entire surface of the inner pillow using an upholstery attachment to remove dust, skin cells, and debris. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the entire surface, let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes to absorb odours, then vacuum thoroughly. Flip and repeat on the other side and arm surfaces.
Steam cleaning works well for reading pillows with dense fills. A handheld garment steamer passed slowly over the pillow surface kills bacteria and dust mites without saturating the fill with liquid water. Keep the steamer moving (do not hold it in one spot) and allow the pillow to air dry for two to three hours after steaming. Our pillow care and washing guide covers additional techniques for deep cleaning various pillow fill types.
Dealing with Odours
Reading pillows accumulate body odour faster than sleeping pillows because the larger surface area contacts more of the body (back, arms, and sides) during use. Regular cover washing manages surface odours, but odours that have penetrated into the fill require the bicarbonate of soda treatment described above or a fabric-safe deodorising spray applied to the inner casing.
New memory foam reading pillows often have an initial chemical odour (known as off-gassing) that ranges from barely noticeable to quite strong depending on foam quality. Allow a new pillow to air out in a well-ventilated room for 48 to 72 hours before first use. The smell typically dissipates within a week of regular airing. If the odour persists beyond two weeks, the foam quality may be low, and the volatile compounds causing the smell may continue to release for an extended period.
Maintaining Shape and Support
Shredded foam and polyester fill reading pillows lose shape over time as the fill compresses and migrates. Fluff and redistribute the fill weekly by squeezing and kneading each section (back panel, arms, and base) to break up compressed clumps and move fill back to areas that have flattened. Pay particular attention to the arm tops (where elbows rest) and the lower back area, which receive the most sustained pressure.
Rotate which side of the pillow faces outward if the design is symmetrical. Alternating the side that contacts the headboard distributes wear across both surfaces rather than concentrating it on one side. For asymmetric designs, alternate the arm you rest on more heavily by sometimes positioning the pillow slightly left or right of centre on the bed.
Milliard Reading Pillow with Arms
When to Replace
Replace a reading pillow when the back panel no longer holds you upright without effort, the arms have flattened enough that they no longer support the elbows at the correct height, or the fill has compressed beyond what fluffing can restore. Polyester fill reading pillows typically last 12 to 18 months of daily use. Shredded memory foam lasts 18 to 30 months. Solid foam or latex reading pillows last the longest: 30 to 48 months depending on foam density and use frequency.
A pillow protector worn under the decorative cover extends the fill’s lifespan by reducing moisture penetration, which is the primary cause of foam degradation. The protector adds a washing step but significantly reduces the moisture, oils, and debris that reach the fill and break it down over time.
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