Throw pillows collect dust, skin oils, food crumbs, and pet dander with every use. Without regular cleaning, they become a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria while losing their colour and texture. Most throw pillow covers are washable, but using the wrong method ruins fabric finishes, shrinks covers, and destroys decorative details. Here is how to clean every type of throw pillow cover and insert properly.
Removable Cover Cleaning
Cotton and Linen Covers
Machine wash cotton and linen covers on a 30°C gentle cycle with mild detergent. Turn covers inside out before washing to protect printed or embroidered surfaces. Avoid bleach on coloured fabrics — it breaks down dyes and weakens fibres. Air dry flat on a towel or hang on a line away from direct sunlight (which fades colours). Cotton and linen can go in a tumble dryer on low heat if the care label allows, but expect some shrinkage on the first wash.
Iron cotton and linen covers while slightly damp for the smoothest finish. Linen looks perfectly acceptable with natural wrinkles, so ironing is optional for linen covers. Heavily soiled cotton covers can handle a 40°C wash, but check for colourfastness first by dabbing a wet corner of the fabric with a white cloth — if colour transfers, stick to cold water.
Velvet Covers
Polyester velvet covers are usually machine washable on cold, gentle cycle. Turn inside out and wash in a mesh laundry bag to prevent the pile from crushing against the drum. Never wring velvet — the crushing creates permanent flat spots. Tumble dry on the lowest setting for five minutes, then remove and shake to restore pile direction. Brush the pile with a soft clothes brush while slightly damp to set the direction evenly.
Silk velvet must be dry cleaned. No exceptions — water and agitation destroy the pile permanently. If you are unsure whether your velvet is silk or polyester, check the care label or do a burn test on an inconspicuous seam thread (polyester melts; silk smoulders and smells like burnt hair). Quality cushion covers always include care labels with washing instructions — keep these for reference.
Wool and Knitted Covers
Hand wash wool covers in cold water with wool-specific detergent (Woolite or similar). Soak for 10 minutes, gently squeeze (never wring or twist), rinse in cold water, and roll in a dry towel to remove excess moisture. Reshape and dry flat on a towel away from heat sources. Wool shrinks dramatically in warm water and agitation, so machine washing is risky even on wool cycles.
Acrylic knit covers (which look like wool but are synthetic) can usually be machine washed on cold, gentle cycle. The care label distinguishes wool from acrylic — if there is no label, assume wool and hand wash to be safe.
Oubonun Throw Pillow Inserts
Cleaning Pillow Inserts
Polyester Inserts
Polyester inserts are the easiest to wash. Machine wash on warm (40°C) with detergent and an extra rinse cycle. Tumble dry on medium heat with two clean tennis balls or dryer balls — these pound the fill back into shape as it dries, preventing clumping. Check that inserts are completely dry before putting covers back on; trapped moisture creates mildew.
Down and Feather Inserts
Wash down and feather inserts in a front-loading machine (top-loaders with agitators damage the fill). Use cold water, gentle cycle, and a small amount of down-specific detergent. Run two extra rinse cycles to remove all soap residue, which clumps down if left behind. Tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls for at least 90 minutes — down takes much longer to dry than polyester. Down inserts that smell musty after drying still contain moisture; put them back in the dryer.
Foam Inserts
Do not machine wash foam inserts. The agitation tears foam apart. Spot clean foam with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For deeper cleaning, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and gentle detergent, submerge the foam, squeeze gently several times, then rinse by squeezing in clean water. Press excess water out (do not wring) and air dry completely — foam holds water tenaciously and can take 24 to 48 hours to dry fully.
Stain Removal
Treat stains immediately — dried stains are dramatically harder to remove. Blot (never rub) liquid spills with a clean cloth, working from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading. For food stains on cotton and linen, apply a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, leave for 15 minutes, then brush off and wash normally.
Grease stains respond to washing-up liquid: apply a small drop directly to the stain, work in gently with your finger, leave for 10 minutes, then wash. Ink stains on cotton often respond to rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton bud. Wine stains should be blotted immediately, covered with salt (which absorbs the liquid), and then washed.
For outdoor pillows with mildew stains, mix one part white vinegar with one part water, spray on the affected area, leave for 30 minutes in sunlight, then scrub with a soft brush and rinse. The UV sunlight helps kill mildew spores that the vinegar solution loosens.
Oubonun Throw Pillow Inserts
Regular Maintenance Schedule
Vacuum throw pillows fortnightly using an upholstery attachment to remove surface dust and allergens. Fluff and reshape pillows daily by giving each one a firm squeeze and shake. Rotate pillow positions on your sofa weekly so all pillows wear evenly rather than one getting compressed more than others.
Wash covers every two to three months for pillows in daily use. Inserts need washing two to three times per year. Seasonal pillows that come out of storage should be vacuumed and aired before use — stored pillows accumulate dust and absorb storage odours. Air them outdoors for a few hours on a dry day before putting them on your sofa.
For your sleeping pillows, different rules apply. Our pillow care and washing guide covers cleaning methods for memory foam, latex, down, and all other bed pillow materials.
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