Most people wash their bed sheets weekly but never wash their pillows. Over two years of nightly use, an unwashed pillow accumulates a surprising amount of dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, saliva, dust mite waste, and fungal spores. Studies have found that the weight of an old pillow can increase measurably from accumulated biological material. Regular washing extends pillow lifespan, improves sleep hygiene, and reduces allergy symptoms. Here is a complete washing guide for every common pillow type available in the UK.
How Often to Wash Pillows
Wash your pillows every two to three months as a general rule. Increase frequency to every four to six weeks if you sleep without a pillow protector, if you sweat heavily during sleep (see our hot sleeper guide), if you have allergies or asthma, if you sleep on your stomach (face-down contact increases moisture and oil transfer), or during summer months when sweating increases.
Pillowcases should be washed weekly with your regular bed linen. Pillow protectors should be washed every two to four weeks on a hot cycle (60°C) to kill dust mites and bacteria. The pillow itself needs the less frequent but more thorough deep clean covered in this guide.
Washing Polyester and Microfibre Pillows
Polyester and microfibre pillows are the easiest to wash and maintain. Most are machine washable, making regular cleaning straightforward.
Check the care label first — while most polyester pillows tolerate machine washing, some cheaper options with poorly bonded fibres may not survive the process. Use a gentle cycle at 40°C with half the normal detergent amount. Excess detergent leaves residue in the fill that causes fibres to clump together. Add an extra rinse cycle to flush out all detergent residue.
Wash two pillows together (or add towels) to balance the washing machine drum during spin cycles. An unbalanced load causes the machine to vibrate excessively and may not spin-dry the pillow effectively.
Tumble dry on low heat with two or three clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls. The balls physically separate clumped fibres and restore loft as the pillow dries. Complete drying takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on pillow size and fill density. Check the centre by squeezing firmly — any cool or damp feeling means continue drying. Damp polyester develops musty odours and mould rapidly.
Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Washing Down and Feather Pillows
Down and feather pillows can be machine washed but require more careful handling than synthetic options.
Use a front-loading washing machine. Top-loading machines with central agitators can damage delicate down clusters and break feather quills. Wash on a gentle or delicate cycle at 30 to 40°C using specialist down detergent or a very small amount of mild liquid soap. Standard detergent strips the natural oils from down, reducing loft and creating a flat, clumpy pillow. Avoid fabric softener entirely — it coats down fibres and reduces their ability to trap air.
Run two rinse cycles to ensure all detergent is completely removed. Even small amounts of detergent residue cause down to clump permanently.
Drying is critical for down pillows. Tumble dry on low heat for two to three hours with three dryer balls. Stop the dryer every 30 minutes, remove the pillow, and break up any visible clumps by hand before continuing. Incomplete drying causes mildew inside the down clusters, producing a persistent musty smell that cannot be removed. The pillow may feel dry on the outside while the centre remains damp — always check the centre before finishing.
Professional cleaning once yearly provides the deepest clean for premium down pillows. Professional machines use higher water volumes and temperatures that home machines cannot safely achieve.
Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam pillows should never be machine washed or submerged in water. The dense foam absorbs water like a sponge and can take days to dry completely, creating conditions for mould growth inside the foam.
For routine cleaning, remove the cover (wash covers according to their care labels) and vacuum the foam surface using an upholstery attachment to remove dust and skin cells. Spot clean stains with a damp cloth and mild detergent solution, blotting rather than rubbing. Rinse the area with a clean damp cloth and allow to air dry completely.
For odour removal, sprinkle baking soda generously over the foam surface. Leave for two to four hours (or overnight for stubborn odours), then vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda absorbs odour molecules and moisture from the foam surface.
Air the foam in a well-ventilated room for several hours every few weeks. Avoid direct sunlight, which degrades the foam’s chemical structure over time, causing yellowing and reduced responsiveness.
Cleaning Latex Pillows
Natural latex requires similar care to memory foam — no machine washing, no full submersion, no tumble drying, and no direct sunlight exposure. Spot clean with mild soap and a damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, hand wash the latex by gently squeezing (never wringing) it in lukewarm water with gentle soap. Rinse thoroughly and press out excess water without twisting. Air dry flat in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Complete drying takes 12 to 24 hours depending on thickness and humidity.
Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Washing Buckwheat Pillows
Empty the buckwheat hulls into a large bowl or container. Wash only the cover in the washing machine. Spread the hulls on a baking tray or clean sheet and leave in sunlight for several hours — UV light naturally sanitises the hulls and helps them dry. Do not wash the hulls in water, as they absorb moisture and can develop mould. Once the cover is clean and dry and the hulls are aired, refill and enjoy.
General Pillow Washing Tips
Always read the care label before washing — some pillows have specific requirements that override general guidelines. Pre-treat visible stains before washing by dabbing with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water (1:1 ratio). Never use bleach on any pillow type as it damages fibres, foam, and natural fills. Wash pillows in the morning so they have maximum drying time before bedtime. Our budget pillow guide covers affordable replacement options for pillows that cannot be restored through washing.
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