Long day at work? There’s nothing more rewarding than coming home to fresh sheets and diving into plush pillows. A lot of us change our sheets on the regular and even air out the mattress or spray some much-needed air freshener, but when was the last time you washed your pillows? That’s right, your pillows need some TLC, too, and that means throwing them in the washer for a thorough cleaning and fluffing. While keeping up with a regularly scheduled cleaning schedule is always a good idea, you’ll want to throw your pillows into your cleaning routine every now and then.
Guilty of skipping out on washing your pillows? It’s not too late to give them a much-needed clean — and getting a much better good night’s sleep. Learn how to clean your pillows here:
Why You Need to Wash Your Pillows
You might not realize it, but your favourite silk pillowcase and matching sheets set don’t really do a complete job of shielding your pillows and mattress from the everyday grime and day-to-day grit you bring home. That’s why some people opt for an extra layer of protection that a protective pillowcase gives, but even then, body oils, bacteria, saliva, and dust mites can still make their way through the fabric. And without a protective sheet, it’s much worse — the standard cotton used in regular pillows is easily permeable, rendering your skin unprotected from everyday grime and bacteria nesting in the fabric.
But that’s not all; over time, regular exposure to contaminants and free radicals taking up residence on your own bed can cause allergy flare-ups, or worse, diseases. You might not have experienced a reaction by now, but a telltale sign of this contaminant buildup is the increasing weight of your pillow as it absorbs bacteria, allergens, dead skin cells, dust, and even mould.
How often do I need to wash my pillows?
One of the most basic questions that people ask is, how often do pillows need to be washed? The quick answer is twice a year — which isn’t a lot at all — but it still comes down to your sleeping habits.
The twice-a-year rule is good to follow when you use a zippered pillow protector, although bear in mind that the protectors themselves need to be thrown into the laundry once a month. On the other hand, it’s a little different if your nighttime routine involves a lot more than getting in the shower and diving into bed after a long day.
For instance, if you’re a fan of face creams, lotions, and multi-step skincare routines, you’ll need to wash your pillows more than twice a year. The same goes if you’re prone to oily skin and scalp. Frequent washing of pillows keeps them clean and fresh for longer as it eliminates contaminants, grime, dead skin cells, and even the buildup of sheen from your skincare products.
Plus — and there’s really nothing to be ashamed of here — if you’re prone to drooling in your sleep, or if you notice that your pillow looks or smells musty, it’s a clear sign that you need to wash your pillow more often. Finally, if you’re not a fan of pillow protectors at all, it’s best to wash your pillows once a month or every other month.
A Guide to Washing Pillows
Throwing your pillows in the laundry might sound pretty straightforward but to make sure that they retain their natural fluff it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. While most pillows are machine washable, pillows designed with certain types of filling, such as memory foam, are not.
For pillows with feather down and synthetic fillings, make sure to wash them in warm water that’s safe for the material, as indicated in the care tag. Don’t put more than two pillows per load to avoid overcrowding the machine and allow it to remain balanced when spinning. As for the detergent, use a mild liquid one instead of a residue-inducing powder. Finally, make sure that the machine is set on a gentle cycle. An extra rinse cycle might also be in order to get rid of all the soap suds.
How to Dry Pillows from the Laundry
Once the rinse cycle is done, it’s time to dry your pillows. To do this, use a low-heat air cycle to slowly remove all the moisture. Drying your pillows properly don’t just give them back their pre-wash fluff, it also prevents mould from growing on an otherwise damp surface. A handy trick for getting a good dry is to put two tennis balls wrapped in socks in the dryer along with the pillows; the tennis balls can beat out any excess moisture as the dryer runs. Don’t be alarmed if you find that you need more than one cycle to fully dry your pillows. Once they’re done, try a smell-test to sniff out any remaining moisture.
A quick note about foam pillows: instead of throwing them in the dryer, it’s best to clean them using a vacuum. This is because they can’t get excessively wet. Once that’s done, you can run them on a no-heat cycle in the dryer just to shake off stubborn grime and dirt.
Get a Professional Cleaner
Washing your pillows regularly doesn’t just sound daunting if you’ve never done it before, but also time-consuming when you’re running on long work weeks and a tight everyday schedule. But not to worry — that’s what professional cleaning services are for.
A professional cleaner can do more than fluff the pillows in your bedroom — when it’s necessary, they can wash and dry them for you, so you’ll come home to a freshly made bed with clean pillows and the best sleep you’ve had in a while. By keeping a regular cleaning and washing schedule, you can get the best use out of your pillows for years to come, instead of replacing them quickly — or worse, getting less than the good night’s sleep you need when they’re musty and dirty.
For more information about cleaning your pillows and bedding — or anything else — call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.
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