How often should you clean your pillow?

Even though most pillows come with laundering instructions on a tag, few people actually take the time to wash them. Many believe the pillowcase protects them from the everyday dirt and grime. Others worry that washing might damage them.

However, a typical pillowcase is usually made of cotton or another fabric that isn’t completely resistant to dirt, leaving the pillow vulnerable to some pretty unpleasant substances.

"Even with a pillowcase protecting it, your pillow can still harbor dust mites, oils from your skin, and bacteria from your saliva," explains Mary Marlowe Leverette, housekeeping and laundry expert with The Spruce in an email. "All of that is right next to your face, and nobody wants that."

Frequent exposure to these contaminants, or others like pet dander, can lead to illnesses or trigger allergies. It's a significant amount of grime, too. "Your pillow can double in weight over time as it absorbs dust, mold, bacteria, allergens, and dead skin while you sleep on it," say the experts at Clean My Space.

The good news is that washing pillows is a surprisingly simple task.

Pillow-washing Guide

If you use a zippered pillow protector, great! Martha Stewart suggests you only need to wash your pillows twice a year, although the protectors themselves should be laundered monthly.

There may be times when washing your pillow more often is necessary. "If you use face lotions before bed or have oily skin or scalp, more frequent washing may be needed to keep it fresh," says Mary Zeitler, a consumer scientist with Whirlpool Corporation's Institute of Home Science. The same applies if you sleep with a pet, have recently recovered from a cold, or if the pillow has a musty odor (are you a sleep drooler?). Additionally, if you don’t use a pillow protector, The Spruce recommends washing your pillow monthly or every other month — though that might be a bit much for most people.

So how do you clean your pillow? Always start by checking the care instructions on the tag. "Most pillows are washable, but it’s important to know the type of filling inside," says Leverette from The Spruce. Zeitler adds, "Most pillows can be machine washed; however, some, like memory foam pillows, are not washable."

Generally, Zeitler advises washing down, feather, and synthetic pillows in the warmest water that is safe for the material, washing two at a time. "This helps keep the washing machine balanced during the spin cycle," she explains. Use a mild liquid detergent instead of powder to avoid residue, and set the machine to a gentle cycle. Adding an extra rinse cycle is a smart move to ensure no soap is left behind.

When drying, choose a low-heat or air-dry setting and run the cycle until all moisture is removed. Any remaining dampness could lead to mold growth. The experts at Clean My Space suggest putting two clean tennis balls in socks and tying them up. "The tennis balls will help eliminate excess moisture, and the socks prevent the tennis balls from transferring their smell or color to the pillows," they explain, adding, "It may take several cycles to fully dry the pillows. Once dried, smell the pillow to check for any lingering moisture."

Foam pillows require special care. They can’t get too wet (unless the care tag says otherwise), so avoid using a washing machine. Instead, grab a vacuum to clean them. Afterward, throw them in the dryer on a "no heat" cycle to shake out any remaining dirt. If you see any spots or stains, gently spot clean with water and mild soap.