Can you wash down pillows in the washing machine?

Yes. Wash two at a time in a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, then dry on low heat with dryer balls until completely dry.

How do you get yellow stains out of pillows?

Yellowing comes from sweat and skin oils. Spot treat with diluted mild detergent before a normal gentle wash, add an extra rinse, and keep a washable protector on the pillow afterward to prevent it returning.

How often should pillows be replaced?

A well-made down pillow cared for with a protector often lasts many years; down alternative lasts less. Replace any pillow that fails the fold test or no longer recovers its shape after washing.

All guides

Care Guide 13

How to wash down and down-alternative pillows

Pillows hold more of the night than anything else on the bed. Washed well, a good one keeps its shape for years.

Two plump white down pillows resting against a headboard

The short answer

Wash pillows two at a time in a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle with cool or warm water, mild detergent and an extra rinse and spin.

Dry on low heat with dryer balls, fluffing by hand every 30 minutes, until completely dry, two to three hours for down, often less for down alternative.

Step by step

The same method works for down and down alternative; only the drying time changes.

1.Remove the pillowcase and protector and wash those with your sheets
2.Check seams for openings and mend them before washing
3.Place two pillows in a front-loader so the drum stays balanced
4.Add a small amount of mild detergent, no bleach or fabric softener
5.Run a gentle cycle in cool to warm water with an extra rinse
6.Run an extra spin, then press out remaining water with a towel, never wring
7.Tumble dry on low heat with two or three dryer balls
8.Fluff and turn the pillows by hand every 30 minutes
9.Dry until no damp or heavy spots remain, two to three hours for down

How often to wash a pillow

With a protector, wash the pillow itself two or three times a year. Wash pillowcases weekly and protectors monthly. Down alternative tolerates more frequent washing than down, which is why it suits allergy-sensitive sleepers.

When to replace a pillow

Fold the pillow in half and let go. A healthy pillow springs back open; one that stays folded has lost its support. Lingering odor after a proper wash and dry, lumps that will not fluff out, or waking with a stiff neck are the other signs.

Common questions

Answered plainly

Can you wash down pillows in the washing machine?: Yes. Wash two at a time in a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, then dry on low heat with dryer balls until completely dry.
How do you get yellow stains out of pillows?: Yellowing comes from sweat and skin oils. Spot treat with diluted mild detergent before a normal gentle wash, add an extra rinse, and keep a washable protector on the pillow afterward to prevent it returning.
How often should pillows be replaced?: A well-made down pillow cared for with a protector often lasts many years; down alternative lasts less. Replace any pillow that fails the fold test or no longer recovers its shape after washing.

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