How to Wash Pillows — A Simple Guide for Every Pillow Type

At the end of a long day, there's nothing quite like laying your head on a clean, fresh pillow. But here's the thing most of us don't think about — your pillow collects dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, and dust mites every single night. After a few months, what started as a crisp new pillow is quietly becoming a home for allergens.

Quick Answer: To wash pillows, first check the type. Memory foam and latex pillows must be hand-washed in lukewarm water with gentle detergent — never machine-washed. Synthetic, down, and cotton pillows can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Wash pillows every 3–6 months, dry them thoroughly to prevent mould, and replace standard synthetic pillows every 1–2 years — quality down or latex pillows can last several years with regular washing and protectors.

Why Your Pillows Need Regular Washing

A 2005 study from the University of Manchester found that a typical used pillow can contain over a million fungal spores — with synthetic pillows harbouring particularly high levels of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that feeds dust mites and can trigger asthma.

It builds up faster than you'd think. According to Dr Manal Mohammed, a medical microbiologist at the University of Westminster, we shed around 500 million skin cells per day during sleep. Beyond fungi, pillows accumulate:

• Dead skin cells — the primary food source for dust mites

• Body oils and sweat — which cause yellowing over time

• Dust mites — microscopic creatures whose droppings are a common allergen trigger

• Bacteria — from saliva, nasal discharge, and skin contact

To kill dust mites, bedding needs to be washed in water hotter than 55°C — a standard 60°C machine cycle does the job, per research from the University of Sydney and consistent with the National Asthma Council Australia's advice on removing dust mite allergens. For pillows specifically, aim to wash them every 3–6 months — or more often if you sweat heavily at night or have allergies.

How to Tell When Your Pillows Need Washing

Not sure if it's time? Here are the signs:

• Yellow or brown stains — caused by sweat and body oils soaking through the pillowcase

• A musty or stale smell — even with a fresh pillowcase

• Flat, lumpy, or misshapen filling — the pillow has lost its support

• Allergy symptoms in the morning — sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes after waking

The fold test: Fold your pillow in half. If it doesn't spring back to its original shape, it's either ready for a wash or ready for the bin.

Before You Start: Know Your Pillow Type

Not all pillows can be washed the same way. Check the care label — if yours has faded, here's a quick guide:

How to Wash Memory Foam Pillows by Hand

Never put memory foam in the washing machine. The Sleep Foundation confirms that memory foam breaks down when exposed to the agitation and excess moisture of a machine cycle. The spin cycle can tear the foam structure, leaving you with a lumpy, unusable pillow.

Here's how to hand-wash memory foam safely:

Step 1: Dust Off Debris

Remove the pillowcase and protector. Pat the pillow firmly on both sides to release surface dust, hair, and dead skin cells. Do this outdoors if possible — it keeps the mess out of your bathroom.

Step 2: Prepare the Wash

Fill a bathtub, laundry tub, or large basin with lukewarm water (not hot — high temperatures damage memory foam). Add about 1 tablespoon of gentle liquid detergent per 4 litres of water. Swirl to dissolve before placing the pillow in.

Step 3: Wash by Hand

Submerge the pillow and gently press down on different areas to work the detergent through the foam. Use a kneading motion — like you're making bread — without folding, twisting, or wringing the material.

• Press and release across the whole surface

• Flip the pillow and repeat

• Pay extra attention to the corners and edges, where oils tend to concentrate

• Drain and refill with fresh soapy water 2–3 times for a thorough clean

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Hold the pillow under running lukewarm water and gently squeeze to release detergent. Then refill the basin with clean water, submerge the pillow, and press down — if bubbles appear, there's still soap left. Repeat until the water runs clear. Residual detergent can irritate skin and eyes, so take your time with this step.

Step 5: Dry Flat

Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing. Place the pillow flat on a clean, dry surface — a drying rack or clean towels in a well-ventilated area. Never hang memory foam to dry, as the weight of the water can stretch and distort the shape.

• Air drying takes 24–48 hours depending on humidity

• A fan or cool setting on a hair dryer can speed things up

• Flip the pillow every few hours for even drying

• Never use a tumble dryer — the heat can cause memory foam to crumble

Make sure the pillow is completely dry before putting it back on the bed. Any remaining moisture can lead to mould growth inside the foam.

What About Latex Pillows?

Latex is durable but doesn't tolerate long submersion. Spot-clean stains with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For a deeper refresh, follow the memory foam method above but keep soaking time under 10 minutes — latex degrades when waterlogged. Like memory foam, latex must be air-dried flat, never tumble dried.

How to Wash Pillows in the Washing Machine

Best for: synthetic (polyester), down (feather), and cotton pillows.

Step 1: Check the Care Label

Most synthetic and down pillows are machine-washable, but always check the tag first. Remove pillowcases and protectors, and check for tears or loose seams — a rip in the machine means feathers everywhere.

Step 2: Load Two Pillows at a Time

Washing two pillows together keeps the machine balanced and prevents excess tossing. If your machine has an agitator (top-loader), place the pillows vertically around it rather than on top.

Step 3: Add Detergent — Less Than You Think

Use a mild liquid detergent — about 1 tablespoon. Too much creates residue that's hard to rinse from the dense filling and makes pillows stiff, and powder detergent can leave residue too. Skip the fabric softener — it coats the filling and causes clumping, which is the number one reason pillows come out lumpy.

For yellowed pillows, add half a cup of oxygen-based bleach (such as Napisan or Vanish Oxi Action, available at Coles and Woolworths) to brighten without damaging fibres.

⚠️ Safety note: Never use chlorine bleach and ammonia-based cleaners together — or even one after the other without thorough rinsing. Mixing these chemicals produces toxic chloramine gas, which can cause serious respiratory harm. The Washington State Department of Health warns that exposure to chloramine gas can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, fluid in the lungs. Stick to one cleaning agent at a time, and when in doubt, use oxygen-based bleach — it's effective and much safer.

Step 4: Set the Cycle

Select a gentle or delicate cycle with warm water and at least two rinse cycles to remove all detergent from the dense pillow filling. For temperature:

• 40°C is safe for most pillow fabrics and removes the majority of allergens

• To actually kill dust mites, you need water hotter than 55°C — a standard 60°C cycle does the job, according to research from the University of Sydney

If your pillow's care label doesn't allow warmer water, a eucalyptus oil pre-soak (see below) is a brilliant cold-water alternative.

Step 5: Flip Mid-Cycle (Optional)

If your machine allows it, pause after the first wash cycle, flip the pillows, and restart. This ensures a more even clean on both sides.

How to Dry Pillows Without Ruining Them

Drying is where most people go wrong. A damp pillow is a mould risk, and the wrong heat setting can destroy the filling.

For Synthetic Pillows

• Tumble dry on low heat

• Add 2–3 clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to prevent clumping and help the filling fluff evenly

• Run for 2–3 cycles, checking between each — the pillow should be completely dry throughout, not just on the surface

For Down and Feather Pillows

• Use the air/no-heat setting on your dryer

• Add dryer balls to break up clumps

• This takes longer — allow 2–3 hours with periodic fluffing by hand between cycles

• Down must be fully dry or it will develop a musty smell

For All Pillow Types

• If you don't have a dryer, air-dry in direct sunlight on a flat surface or drying rack

• Flip every couple of hours

• In Australia's coastal humidity, allow extra drying time — don't put a damp pillow back on the bed

How to Keep Pillows Clean Longer

The simplest way to stretch time between washes is adding a barrier between you and the pillow.

• Use pillow protectors. These zip-on covers sit between your pillowcase and the pillow itself, blocking dust mites, sweat, and oils. Wash them monthly — much easier than washing the whole pillow. You'll find them at Kmart, Target, or Pillow Talk.

• Change pillowcases weekly with your regular bedding — or every 3 to 4 days if you have oily skin or allergies.

• Air pillows in the sun regularly. UV light kills bacteria naturally, and even 30 minutes of direct Australian sunshine helps.

• Try a eucalyptus oil pre-soak. University of Sydney researchers70136-2/fulltext) found that soaking bedding with a few drops of eucalyptus oil in cold water for 30 minutes eliminates up to 99% of dust mites — without needing hot water. It's a brilliant option for delicate pillow fabrics that can't handle a 60°C cycle.

When to Replace Your Pillows

Washing extends the life of a pillow, but every pillow has a limit. The Cleveland Clinic recommends replacing standard synthetic pillows every 1–2 years to maintain proper support and hygiene. Quality pillows last longer with care:

• Synthetic pillows: every 1–2 years

• Memory foam: 2–3 years, depending on density

• Latex: up to 4 years

• Quality down: up to 5 years with regular washing and a protector

Signs it's time for a new pillow:

• The fold test fails even after washing (it stays folded instead of springing back)

• Persistent stains or odour that washing can't remove

• Visible lumps or flat spots that don't fluff out

• You're waking up with neck pain or stiffness

When shopping for replacements, look for pillows with removable, washable covers — they're easier to maintain between full washes. Kmart, Adairs, and Pillow Talk all carry good options across different firmness levels.

If your mattress is also overdue for attention, our guide to cleaning and stain-treating a mattress covers the full process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should you wash your pillows?

Every 3–6 months is a good rule. If you have allergies, asthma, or tend to sweat at night, wash them closer to every 3 months — or even monthly. Pillowcases and protectors should be washed weekly with your regular bedding.

Q: Can you put memory foam pillows in the washing machine?

No. Memory foam breaks down in the washing machine — the agitation tears the foam structure and excess water damages the material. Always hand-wash memory foam pillows in lukewarm water with gentle detergent, and air-dry them flat. The same goes for latex pillows.

Q: Why do pillows turn yellow and can you fix it?

Yellowing is caused by sweat, body oils, and moisture soaking through the pillowcase over time. You can treat it by washing with oxygen-based bleach (like Napisan) on a warm cycle. For stubborn stains, pre-soak the pillow in a solution of oxygen bleach and warm water for an hour before washing.

Q: What temperature should you wash pillows at?

For synthetic and down pillows in the machine, 40°C removes most allergens, but killing dust mites takes water hotter than 55°C — a standard 60°C cycle does the job. If the care label doesn't allow hot water, a eucalyptus oil pre-soak in cold water is an effective alternative. For memory foam, use lukewarm water only — hot water damages the foam.

Q: Should you use tennis balls when drying pillows?

Yes — placing 2–3 clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls in the dryer helps prevent the filling from clumping and keeps pillows fluffy. Use them on low heat for synthetic pillows and no-heat for down pillows. Avoid high heat with tennis balls, as it can cause a rubber smell.