How to Deep Clean Your Pillows

Woman and a girl putting pillows on a bed.

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You’re probably already in the habit of routinely washing your pillowcases and beddings whenever you clean your bedroom. But did you know that you can take it to the next step by deep cleaning your pillows too?

Dead skin cells, hair, sweat, and drool can collect on your pillows over time, which are the gross stuff dust mites love to feed on. It’s one of the reasons why many recommend tossing out your pillows every one to two years. However, it’s a highly unsustainable practice that can contribute to our overflowing landfills. In addition, it’s not cost-efficient as high-quality pillows can be pretty expensive.

Deep cleaning your pillows is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make them last longer, keep them clean and smelling fresh, and protect yourself from allergens, including dust, dust mites, mold, and mildew, which can cause allergic rhinitis and acne for some people.

In this article, we share a comprehensive guide on how to deep clean your pillows. Check it out to score expert cleaning tips from our professional house cleaners.

Fluff and Give it Some Sun

Asian woman fluffing out pillows

Fluff your pillows every day when you make your bed every morning. Then, take them out and hang them out under the sun for a couple of hours on a particularly bright and sunny day. Do this whenever you have the chance, or preferably at least once a month. The sun’s ultraviolet rays have natural anti-microbial and disinfecting properties that can potentially kill off dust mites, germs, and bacteria.

Wash Pillows At Least Twice a Year

We recommend washing your pillows twice a year or more frequently, especially if you sweat a lot (i.e., during summer), share the bed with someone else, have pets that may shed, and eat on your bed.

Here are some tips on how to clean down pillows and feather pillows.

  • Spot-treat stains first before throwing them in the washer. 
  • Use the gentle setting on your washing machine with cold water and mild detergent. Do not use warm or hot water, which can shrink the fabric.

While most store-bought pillows are safe for machine washing, some types require extra care. For example, memory foam pillows or those with buckwheat hulls for filling may get ruined if they get wet. Therefore, cleaning for these pillows may be limited to hand washing, vacuuming, or spot-treating stains. So, always check the label for wash and care instructions.

Ensure the Pillow Is Dried Completely

Washing your pillows is great, but ensuring they dry thoroughly is non-negotiable if you don’t want molds or mildew afterward.

  • Add clean and dry high-quality towels to the dryer to help absorb excess moisture from your pillows. 
  • Put in some tennis balls to spread the heat evenly and prevent clumping.
  • Use a no-heat, air-dry, or low-heat, tumble dry setting for pillows.
  • Hang your pillows on the clothesline and dry naturally under the sun.

Transform Your Bedroom into a Sleep Sanctuary with our Home Cleaning Service 

It can be easy to neglect deep cleaning your pillows when you’re constantly overwhelmed with a dozen things more to do on your cleaning checklist. However, BetterCleans can make your life easier with its fantastic cleaning team and exceptional residential cleaning services

To be clear, our maid services do not include washing your pillows, but we’ll do an excellent job cleaning your bedroom and changing your beddings if you provide fresh linens. We can make home maintenance effortless for you by taking care of everything so you can focus on the specifics. 

Book a home cleaning service in Milwaukee now!

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