There’s a “Right Way” to Wash Pillows, and I’m Never Using Another Method Again

I’ll be honest: Washing my actual pillows (not just the cases) used to be one of those chores I knew I should be doing, but rarely actually did. As long as my pillows were tucked inside clean pillowcases, I convinced myself they were fine. But that all changed after I came across this article on Apartment Therapy where three popular pillow-washing methods were put to the test. One method clearly came out on top, so I decided to give it a try — and it completely changed how I think about pillow care.

The method is surprisingly simple: Machine-wash your pillows using warm water on a delicate cycle, with less detergent than usual, followed by a second rinse. As long as your pillow’s care tag allows machine washing, then this gentle warm-water cycle does the heavy lifting for you. The warm water helps break down built-up oils and sweat, the delicate cycle protects the pillow’s shape, and the extra rinse ensures no detergent residue is left behind. Once the cycle is done, you can air-dry the pillow or use the dryer on a low- or no-heat setting, depending on the care instructions.

The results of this method were honestly shocking. When I pulled the pillow out, it looked noticeably whiter and brighter, and far more refreshed. The yellowing was gone, the fabric felt cleaner, and the pillow looked almost new again. What really sold me, though, was how easy it was. Compared to hand-washing or doing cold-water cycles, this method delivered the best results with the least amount of effort. 

Now that I know how effective (and doable) this method is, washing my pillows feels less like a chore and more like a simple, essential reset for my sleep space.