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Can you put pillows in a top-loading washer?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 08, 2026

A front- or top-loading machine without an agitator—which is the spindle in the center of the washing machine—is preferred for cleaning pillows.

How do you wash throw pillows in a top loader?

Use warm water on a delicate cycle and choose a mild detergent for best results. If you must use a washing machine with an agitator, carefully place the pillows on each side of the washing machine to balance the load and use a very gentle cycle.

Can washing pillows damage washing machine?

Yes, you can damage pillows by washing them in the machine, which is why you should always check the care label first. Be sure, too, not to wash memory foam pillows in a machine at all.

How do you wash a pillow with a top-loading agitator?

If your machine has an agitator, place the pillows vertically in the drum and set machine on the delicate or hand-wash cycle. Wash in warm water, using a mild detergent. Do not bleach, as this compromises the material, especially down. If you are worried about dust mites, use a protective cover or wash with borax.

Can you put pillows in the dryer on high heat?

Never dry feather or down pillows on any heat setting in the dryer. Always use an air-dry setting with no heat. Use dryer balls to prevent the down and feathers from clumping. You can also hang dry your down and feather pillows, but make sure they dry all the way through before you make the bed.

21 related questions found

How do you wash pillows without ruining them?

Wash the pillows in warm or hot water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Add the detergent to the water and allow the machine to agitate the water a little before adding pillows. For best results, Good Housekeeping recommends washing two pillows at a time for a balanced load.

How many pillows can I put in the washing machine?

Step 2: Place at least two pillows in the washing machine at a time. You always want to wash two pillows together to keep the load balanced. Step 3: Set the wash cycle to delicate and add the laundry products of your choice. Use cold water to avoid shrinking your pillows during the wash cycle.

Can you put a long pillow in the washer?

Most body pillows can be machine washed. However, before you do so, it is best first to check the washing instructions. Some pillows need to be washed with cold water only. Also, it is best to dry the pillow on a low heat setting.

How often should you wash pillows?

How Frequently Should Pillows Be Washed? The consensus among experts seems to be that the average person should throw their pillow in the washing machine two to three times per year (so about once every four to six months).

Can you wash throw pillows without removable cover?

Best Way to Clean Throw Pillows without Removable Covers

For machine-washable ones, wash in cold water using the gentle cycle with mild laundry detergent. Dry according to the care instructions using no or low heat.

How do you wash pillows in a Whirlpool washer?

Follow these four steps to easily clean pillows with your washing machine.

  1. Step 1: Load two pillows into your washing machine. ...
  2. Step 2: Add a small amount of detergent. ...
  3. Step 3: Select a gentle cycle. ...
  4. Step 4: Dry with low or no heat.

Can you machine wash memory foam pillows?

Can memory foam pillows be washed in the washing machine? No, memory foam should not be put in the washing machine unless specified otherwise. Memory foam is like a sponge, and if put in a washing machine, it will become waterlogged and damaged. If you have to wash your memory foam pillow, spot-clean it.

How do you wash a body pillow in the washing machine?

Start the machine on a gentle or delicate cycle with warm or cold water. Avoid using hot water to wash your pillows, because the high temperature can break down the fill material, making your pillow unsupportive. If possible, select an extra rinse cycle or run the washing machine again without the laundry detergent.

How do you wash large pillows?

Machine Washing

  1. Wash Your Pillows Alone. ...
  2. Use a Mild Detergent. ...
  3. Air Dry or Tumble Dry on a Low Setting. ...
  4. Fluff Your Body Pillow. ...
  5. Fill a Bathtub or Large Bucket With Cold, Soapy Water. ...
  6. Work the Soapy Water into Your Pillow. ...
  7. Thoroughly Rinse. ...
  8. Air Dry.

Should you wash a new pillow?

Always wash your new pillows before use. Most of the reasons that new pillows might be unclean are not apparent to the naked eye. While new pillows are rarely dirty, they can have chemicals, dust mites, and more.

How often should you wash your sheets?

Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so. Some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week.

Can you put pillows in the washer and dryer?

Down or feather: Most down pillows can be put in the washing machine. But use cool water and a mild detergent, then dry on low heat. (High temperatures can damage the down.) Memory foam or latex: Washer agitation can break up foam, so these pillows will probably need to be hand-washed.

Can you tumble dry pillows?

Drying a pillow

After washing, most feather, down and synthetic pillows can be placed in the tumble dryer on a low heat setting, but it's best to double check the pillow's care label beforehand. Adding a couple of rubber drying balls can help the pillows to dry, and keep them plump and fluffy.

Can you put a memory foam pillow in the dryer?

Do not put your memory foam pillows in the washing machine or dryer. The motions of a washing machine and dryer could tear apart the padding of your memory foam pillow. Not only will it weaken the material but it will also cut the pillow's usual life span of 18 to 36 months.

How do you wash a pillow in the washer without it getting lumpy?

To stop your pillow from getting lumpy in the wash always wash two pillows together plus some sheets or towels so that the load is balanced in the machine. Use a gentle cycle with a warm or cold washing temperature. Dry your pillow naturally or tumble dry with a couple of tennis balls. I sometimes use affiliate links.

Can bed bugs live in memory foam pillow?

The Harmful Effect Of Bed Bugs On Your Memory Foam

Bed bugs can live on any mattress, including memory foam. However, they're more likely to live on the underside of the mattress rather than inside it. They also can't burrow, so they can't get inside a mattress unless there's already an opening.

How do you restore memory foam pillows?

Squeeze and shake your pillow

You can quickly plump up a pillow by gently squeezing and shaking it, allowing the foam filling to move back to its original shape. This works particularly well if you have a shredded memory foam pillow, as the air between the filling allows it to move around easily.

How often should you wash memory foam pillows?

Germs will build up quickly in the foam and cause someone else to get sick. We would recommend deep cleaning your memory foam pillows at least once every two months. Other than that, you should vacuum them and leave them outside for fresh air every other week or when you change your sheets.

Can I wash pillows in my front load washer?

How to Wash Pillows. It's best to use a front-loading washer, since pillows tend to float and stay dry in certain spots when washed in a top-loading machine.