Keeping a body pillow clean presents unique challenges that standard pillows do not. Body pillows are larger, heavier when wet, and often filled with materials that do not tolerate machine washing well. The cover is your first line of defence against stains, odour, and hygiene issues. Knowing how to wash body pillow covers properly — and when to wash the pillow itself — keeps your sleep setup fresh and extends the life of both the cover and the pillow inside it.
How Often to Wash Your Body Pillow Cover
Wash your body pillow cover every week. Body pillows make contact with a much larger area of your body than a standard pillow, collecting more sweat, oils, and dead skin cells per night. People who use body pillows for side sleeping or pregnancy support often press their torso, arms, and legs against the pillow, transferring moisture and oil from multiple body parts rather than just the head and face.
If you use a separate protector underneath the cover (recommended), the cover stays cleaner and can be washed every 10 to 14 days instead. The protector should be washed every two to four weeks. Without a protector, weekly cover washing is essential to prevent build-up that causes yellowing and odour.
Washing Cotton Body Pillow Covers
Cotton covers are the easiest to care for. Machine wash at 40 to 60 degrees Celsius on a standard cycle with mild detergent. Higher temperatures (60 degrees) kill dust mites and bacteria more effectively, making this the better choice for allergy sufferers. White cotton covers can handle occasional washes at 60 degrees without damage, though coloured cotton should stay at 40 degrees to prevent fading.
Avoid fabric softener. Softeners coat fabric fibres with a waxy residue that reduces breathability and moisture absorption — exactly the properties you need from a body pillow cover. Use white vinegar (half a cup in the rinse cycle) as a natural softening alternative that does not coat fibres.
Tumble dry cotton covers on medium heat. Remove promptly to minimise wrinkles. Cotton covers can also air dry on a line or rack, which extends fabric life but leaves the cover stiffer than tumble drying.
Momcozy U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Washing Bamboo and Tencel Covers
Bamboo rayon and Tencel (lyocell) body pillow covers need gentler handling than cotton. Machine wash on a gentle or delicate cycle at 30 to 40 degrees with a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Both fabrics are more delicate when wet and can be damaged by aggressive agitation.
Tumble dry on the lowest heat setting or, ideally, air dry flat. High heat causes bamboo and Tencel fibres to shrink and can create permanent wrinkles. Never wring bamboo or Tencel covers — the twisting damages the fibre structure. Gently squeeze out excess water or roll the cover in a clean towel to absorb moisture before drying.
Washing Jersey Knit Covers
Jersey knit body pillow covers tolerate machine washing at 30 to 40 degrees on a gentle cycle. Turn the cover inside out before washing to reduce pilling on the outer surface. Use a liquid detergent rather than powder, which can leave residue in the knit fabric.
Tumble dry on low heat. Jersey fabric is prone to shrinkage in high heat. Air drying works well but can leave jersey feeling slightly stiff — a short tumble on low heat after air drying restores the softness without risk of shrinkage.
Washing Shaped Body Pillow Covers
Covers for U-shaped, C-shaped, and J-shaped body pillows are often larger and bulkier than standard body pillow covers. Check that your washing machine drum can accommodate the cover without cramming. An overcrowded drum prevents proper agitation and rinsing, leaving detergent residue in the fabric.
For very large shaped covers, a commercial-size washing machine at a launderette provides better results than a standard home machine. The extra drum space allows the cover to move freely during the wash cycle.
Momcozy U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Stain Treatment
Sweat Stains
Pre-treat yellow sweat stains by making a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stained area, leave for 30 minutes, then wash as normal. For stubborn stains, soak the cover in a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts warm water for one hour before washing.
Blood Stains
Rinse immediately with cold water (never hot, which sets blood stains permanently). Apply hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) directly to the stain and let it fizz for five minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat if needed before machine washing.
General Discolouration
For overall dinginess, add half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle along with your regular detergent. Baking soda is a mild alkali that helps lift embedded oils and brighten fabric without bleach. For white cotton covers, occasional use of oxygen-based bleach (sodium percarbonate) restores brightness safely.
When to Replace Your Body Pillow Cover
Replace body pillow covers every 12 to 18 months with regular use, or sooner if you notice thinning fabric (especially at the zip area), persistent stains that no longer wash out, elastic or closures that have lost their grip, or unpleasant odours that survive washing. A worn cover that no longer seals properly allows sweat and oils to reach the pillow fill, shortening the pillow’s lifespan.
Keeping two or three covers in rotation spreads the wear across multiple covers and ensures you always have a clean one available. Browse our body pillow case reviews for durable, easy-care options. For general pillow hygiene across all types, our pillow care and washing guide covers everything you need to know.
Teresa created SaunaReviewer.com after discovering how transformative sauna therapy was in her own life. Today, she helps thousands of readers find reliable, honest information about saunas, accessories, and at-home wellness. Her mission is to make choosing the right sauna easier, clearer, and stress-free.
