How many pillows can you wash in the washing machine?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 24, 2026
Be sure to wash two pillows at a time to keep the washer balanced, ensuring an all-around clean. While any washing machine will do, front- or top-loading machines without an agitator (a.k.a. the large spindle in the middle of some machines) is your best bet.
How many pillows can I wash at once?
If your washing machine is large enough, wash two pillows at a time. That will help balance the load, allowing the water and detergent to circulate more effectively.
Can you wash three pillows at once?
Of course, you'd want to check the fabric care label, but washing on a delicate setting in cool water is often sufficient for cleaning. "Launder two of them at the same time in order to help keep your washing machine balanced during the spin cycle," says Sansoni.
Can you throw whole pillows in the wash?
Some pillows can be washed in a machine, while other types of decorative pillows need to be hand-washed to prevent damage to the fabric and/or decorations. Pillows made from delicate fabrics like silk and wool, or those with down feathers, typically need to be dry-cleaned.
How many pillows can I wash in a front loader?
To balance out the load for the machine, make sure you wash two pillows at a time. My washing machine would not hold more than two bed pillows at a time, so I only do two. But if you have a larger washing machine and can wash more than two at a time, you might want to increase the amount of cleansing solution you use.
44 related questions foundHow often should I 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).
What temperature should you wash pillows?
Use cold water to avoid shrinking your pillows during the wash cycle. Step 4: Wash your pillows on delicate and set the machine for an extra rinse. This will help ensure that no detergent residue remains after your down pillows come out of the washing machine.
Can I put pillows in the dryer?
You can put pillows in the dryer. Place the pillows in a dryer on the lowest heat possible. Add an extra softener sheet for freshness and two or three tennis balls to help fluff them up! Keep track of time so you can remove your pillow when it's done getting fluffy, not burnt (or at least before).
Can throw pillows be washed and dried?
Machine wash in warm water using a front loading washer on the delicate cycle. Use mild detergent. Hang dry in a ventilated area until most of the way dry. Fluff the pillows in a dryer with no heat, using a few dryer balls to reshape the pillows.
How do you wash pillows that don't unzip?
Always consider hand washing your cushion instead of machine washing because it is much safer for delicate material.
- Fill up a large bowl or bucket with lukewarm water.
- Add mild detergent.
- Gently agitate.
- Gently rub any stains.
- Rinse in cool water.
- Repeat rinsing until all the soap is removed.
Should you wash new pillows before using them?
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 do you disinfect a pillow?
The best disinfectant may not be the wash, but the drying process. Tumble-drying laundry, including pillows, on high heat for at least 30 minutes is sufficient for killing most influenza germs. Don't hesitate to tumble dry for longer, however.
Can you wash pillows in a top loader?
Be sure to wash two pillows at a time to keep the washer balanced, ensuring an all-around clean. While any washing machine will do, front- or top-loading machines without an agitator (a.k.a. the large spindle in the middle of some machines) is your best bet.
How often should you replace your pillows?
Most experts recommend replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years. Doing so helps to ensure that you're using pillows that are supportive, clean, and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity. Generally, you'll be able to tell when it's time to replace your pillows.
Can you wash foam pillows?
To deep clean, a foam pillow should be hand-washed. Fill a large sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of a gentle detergent used for handwashing delicate items. Use about one teaspoon of detergent per gallon of water.
How do you wash pillows in the washing machine?
How To Wash A Pillow In A Washing Machine?
- Add warm water and go for the gentle cycle.
- Add a bit of mild detergent.
- Now, add some cold water and select the rinse and spin cycle.
- Tumble your pillows dry on low heat.
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 front loader?
How to Wash Pillows in a Front Loading Washer
- Inspect the pillows for holes and tears. ...
- Spot-clean stains on the pillows with dish soap and warm water. ...
- Place the pillows into the front-loader. ...
- Wash the pillows on the gentle cycle with warm water and laundry detergent.
Can you dry pillows 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.
How long do pillows take to dry?
It takes a pillow approximately one hour to be dried in a dryer, and potentially several hours of leaving the pillow to air dry. Regardless of the drying method your pillow requires, you must ensure it is completely dry before using it again. Leaving your pillow damp encourages the growth of mold and bacteria.
Can you put a soaking wet pillow in the dryer?
You should never put a soaking wet blanket in the dryer. The heavy blanket can easily damage your dryer, causing it to partially dry clothes, stop working, or even catch fire.
Why do pillows turn yellow?
Pillows turn yellow because of sweat. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture. When moisture or sweat remains on the pillow for long periods of time, the pillow will turn yellow.
How do you wash pillows in the washing machine UK?
If your pillows are machine washable, place two pillows in the same load to circulate the detergent better and prevent each pillow from being thrown around. Then, add in a cup of your regular liquid detergent, choose the cold or warm water setting (never hot water) and begin washing on your machine's gentlest cycle.
Do pillows go bad?
Pillows should be replaced as often as every 6 to 12 months for synthetic fill pillows, and every 2 to 3 years for down pillows. Pillows should be replaced as often as every 6 to 12 months for synthetic fill pillows, and every 2 to 3 years for down pillows.
What happens if you don't wash your pillow?
1. Dirt And Oil Can Build Up. While your pillowcase may look clean at first glance, there's actually all sorts of tiny but nefarious things going on. "Not washing your pillowcase regularly results in a build-up of many things including oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and even breakout-causing bacteria," Axe says.