How To Machine Wash Pillows: Complete Beginner Guide

How to Machine Wash Pillows: The Complete Beginner Guide

Pillows collect sweat, skin oils, drool, and dust mites no matter how fresh your pillowcases look. Over time, that buildup can trigger allergies, create odors, and make your bed feel less inviting. The good news is that most pillows are machine washable — you just need the right method.

This guide walks you through every step: reading the care label, prepping the pillow, choosing washer settings, washing, drying, and fixing common problems like clumping and lingering odors. By the end, you will know exactly how to machine wash pillows without ruining them or your washing machine. If you are also dealing with larger bedding, our guide to machine washing comforters covers similar ground for bulky items.

Key Takeaways

Always check the care label before washing; not all pillows are machine washable.
Wash two pillows at a time on a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or warm water.
Use a small amount of liquid detergent and add an extra rinse cycle to remove residue.
Dry on low heat with dryer balls or clean tennis balls, and never stop the dryer while the core is still damp.

Check the Care Label First

Before you do anything, find the care label sewn into the pillow’s seam. Under Federal Trade Commission rules, most bedding sold in the United States must include care instructions, so the label will tell you whether machine washing is safe and which settings to use.

Look for the standard laundry symbols: a tub of water means washing is allowed, a circle inside a square means it can be tumbled dry, and a dot inside the dryer symbol indicates heat level (the more dots, the hotter the heat allowed). If you see an X through the tub symbol, do not put the pillow in the washing machine.

Table of Contents

Washing a pillow against its label can also void the manufacturer’s warranty. If the label is missing or faded, check the manufacturer’s website or contact customer support before you experiment.

How to Prepare Pillows for the Washing Machine

Preparation takes five minutes and prevents most washing-day disasters.

Remove Pillowcases and Protectors

Take off all pillowcases and zippered protectors. Wash those separately so they get thoroughly cleaned and you free up space for the pillows themselves. For best results, follow our step-by-step method for washing pillowcases without fading in the same load.

Spot-Treat Stains

Yellowing around the edges and small spots happen to everyone. Treat stains before washing by dabbing the area with a small amount of liquid detergent and letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid bleach on synthetic fills, and never use it on down or feather pillows. For tougher marks, refer to our dedicated guide on removing sweat and yellow stains from pillows.

Check for Tears and Damage

Inspect each pillow for ripped seams, thinning fabric, or escaping filling. A torn pillow will shed feathers or polyester fibers into your washer and can clog the drain. Small holes can be stitched up; if the fabric is badly worn, the pillow is probably ready to be replaced. Read our tips on choosing the right replacement pillow to keep your sleep setup supportive.

Washing Machine Setup

Getting the setup right protects both the pillow and your appliance.

How Many Pillows Can You Wash at Once?

Wash two pillows at a time. A single wet pillow can throw the drum off balance and cause the machine to thump or stop mid-cycle. Four pillows are usually too many and won’t move freely enough to get clean. Two is the sweet spot for most residential washers.

Front-Load vs. Top-Load Washers

Front-load washers and top-loaders without a center agitator are ideal for pillows because there is nothing to snag the fabric. If you have an older top-loader with an agitator, place the pillows on opposite sides of the drum and keep the load small so they don’t wrap around the center post.

Water Temperature and Detergent

Use cold or warm water. Warm water helps break down body oils, but hot water can shrink some synthetic fills and cause down to clump. For detergent, use about half the amount you normally would for a regular load — extra soap leaves sticky residue inside pillows that attracts dirt and traps odors. A gentle liquid detergent designed for sensitive skin works well for most fills.

Washing Step-by-Step

Place two prepared pillows in the washer.
Add a small amount of liquid detergent to the dispenser.
Select the gentle or delicate cycle.
Choose cold or warm water.
Set the spin speed to low or medium to reduce stress on the fabric.
Add an extra rinse cycle to flush out every trace of detergent.
Start the cycle and let it finish completely.

After the wash, check the pillow briefly. If it feels soapy or smells strongly of detergent, run one additional rinse cycle before moving on to drying.

How to Wash Different Types of Pillows

Not all pillows behave the same in the washing machine. Here is how to handle the most common fills.

Polyester Pillows: The Easiest to Wash

Polyester and fiberfill pillows are the most forgiving. Wash them on the gentle cycle with cold or warm water and a normal amount of detergent. They dry fairly quickly on low heat, making them a great choice for beginners.

Down and Feather Pillows: Machine Washable With Care

Down and feather pillows can be machine washed, but they need a gentler touch. Use warm water, a delicate cycle, and a down-specific detergent if you have one. Regular detergent strips natural oils from the feathers, which can reduce loft and lead to clumping. A front-load washer is best because it is easier on the delicate shells these pillows often have. See our dedicated resource on down pillow care and fluffing for more detail.

Memory Foam and Latex Pillows: Do Not Machine Wash

Most memory foam and latex pillows are not machine washable. The agitation and spin cycle can break apart the foam, and the weight of water-soaked memory foam can take days to dry, increasing the risk of mildew. Manufacturers such as Tempur-Pedic recommend spot cleaning with a mild detergent and water, then air drying completely.

If the care label on your memory foam pillow says it is machine washable, follow it exactly — but do not assume so, because most are not.

Other Fills: Buckwheat and Kapok

Buckwheat hull pillows should never go in the washing machine. Remove the hulls, wash the outer cover by hand or on a gentle cycle, and air dry the hulls separately. Kapok pillows are rare but also sensitive; spot cleaning is the safer choice.

Drying: The Step Most People Get Wrong

Insufficient drying is the number one cause of mildew smells after a pillow wash. A damp pillow core can develop mold within 24 hours, so drying thoroughly is not optional.

Machine Drying on Low Heat

Place the pillows in the dryer on the low heat or air fluff setting. Add three or four clean dryer balls — or clean tennis balls wrapped in socks — to constantly break up clumps and restore loft. For down and feather pillows, the balls make a noticeable difference and help the filling dry evenly. Learn why they work in our overview of dryer balls and how to use them.

Check the pillows every 20 to 30 minutes. A pillow can feel dry on the outside while the center stays damp, so squeeze the middle and look for any cool, damp spots. Continue drying until the pillow is evenly fluffy and smells clean with no musty notes.

Air Drying as a Backup

If you prefer air drying, lay the pillows flat on a drying rack in a well-ventilated room and flip them every few hours. Point a fan at them to speed up the process. Air drying can take a full day or longer for thicker pillows, so only use this method when you have time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using too much detergent. Excess soap leaves residue that makes pillows stiff and attracts more dirt.
Washing with hot water. Heat can shrink synthetic fills and damage natural feathers.
Overloading the washer. Packed drums clean poorly and can damage the machine’s suspension.
Skipping the extra rinse. Pillows absorb more detergent than clothes and need that additional rinse to be fully clean.
Stopping the dryer early. Even a slightly damp core can lead to mildew.

How Often Should You Wash Pillows?

Plan on washing your pillows every three to six months. The American Cleaning Institute recommends washing pillows about twice a year for most households, but people with allergies or asthma should wash them more often. If you sweat heavily at night, notice yellowing, or can detect an odor, move up the washing schedule.

Using a zippered pillow protector under your pillowcase, and washing that protector every two weeks, can extend the time between full pillow washes. Learn how to choose one in our guide to pillow protectors and allergy relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I machine wash all types of pillows?

No. Most polyester, down, and feather pillows are machine washable, but most memory foam and latex pillows are not and should be spot-cleaned or hand-washed.

How do I know if my pillow is machine washable?

Check the care label for washing symbols and instructions. If the label is missing, consult the manufacturer’s website or contact customer support.

What settings should I use for washing pillows?

Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or warm water, a low spin speed, and an extra rinse cycle to remove all detergent residue.

How many pillows can I wash at once?

Wash two pillows at a time to keep the washer balanced. One pillow can cause the machine to become unbalanced, while too many can overload the drum.

Can I wash memory foam pillows in the machine?

Usually not. Most memory foam manufacturers advise against machine washing because it can damage the foam. Spot clean with mild detergent and water, then air dry thoroughly.

How do I dry pillows without clumping?

Dry on low heat with dryer balls or clean tennis balls to break up clumps. Stop only when the pillow is completely dry with no cool, damp core.

What if my pillow comes out lumpy?

Put the pillow back in the dryer with dryer balls on an air fluff cycle. Then massage the filling by hand to redistribute it evenly.

Final Summary and Pro Tips

Machine washing pillows does not have to be risky. Check the care label, wash two pillows at a time on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, use a modest amount of detergent, and dry on low heat with dryer balls. Treat memory foam and latex pillows as spot-clean-only unless the label clearly says otherwise.

One pro tip: set a recurring reminder every three months to wash your pillows. Pair that with a reliable pillow protector, and your pillows will stay fluffier, fresher, and more supportive for years. Start with your two most-used pillows this weekend — your sleep will thank you.

Sources & References

American Cleaning Institute. “Laundry 101: How to Wash Pillows & Bedding.” Accessed January 2025. https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/
Federal Trade Commission. “Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods.” 16 CFR Part 423. https://www.ftc.gov/
Tempur-Pedic. “Pillow Care and Maintenance Instructions.” Accessed January 2025. https://www.tempurpedic.com/
Downmark. “Caring for Your Down and Feather Pillows.” Accessed January 2025.
Good Housekeeping Institute. “How to Wash Pillows (and How Often You Should Do It).” Accessed January 2025. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/