You wash the pillowcase. What about the pillow?
Many pillows can be cleaned, but the instructions vary by material. Check the care label before anything goes near water.
LaLa's 60-second version of this is coming.
Watch it here, or on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram or Pinterest.
The 30-second version
- 1.You wash the pillowcase. What about the pillow?
- 2.Read the label. Then read it again.
- 3.Down and down alternative.
- 4.Polyester fill.
- 5.Memory foam.
- 6.If the pillow is lumpy, yellowed through, or folds in half and stays there, it's finished. Cleaning won't bring it back. Replace it.
Short on time? That's the whole thing. #DidYouCleanThat
Check
- Care label
- Fill material
- Seams
- Any foam core
01 — The problem
You wash the case every week and feel very responsible about it. The thing inside the case has been quietly collecting body oil, sweat and dust for years.
02 — Why you should care
- Oils and moisture break down the fill and flatten the pillow.
- Clean bedding matters more than most people think if you have allergies.
- A pillow you maintain lasts longer, and good pillows are not cheap.
“That pillow has heard every thought you've had since 2019. The least we can do is check the care label.”
03 — What you need
- The care label on the pillow
- Mild detergent
- Dryer balls or clean tennis balls, if the label allows machine drying
- A vacuum with an upholstery attachment for foam
04 — How to do it
- 01Read the label. Then read it again.This is the whole job. Everything below is only valid if your label agrees.
- 02Down and down alternative.Often machine washable on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Wash two at a time to balance the drum. Dry low with dryer balls, and keep going until the core is bone dry.
- 03Polyester fill.Usually the most forgiving. Gentle cycle, warm water, low-heat dry with dryer balls to break up clumps.
- 04Memory foam.Do not put it in the washing machine. Vacuum it, spot-clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, then let it air dry completely out of direct sun.
- 05Latex.Same as foam. Spot-clean only, air dry, never wring or twist. Latex tears.
- 06Dry it longer than you think.A pillow that feels dry on the outside and is damp in the middle is how you end up with mildew.
05 — Don't do this
- Don't assume every pillow belongs in the washing machine. Foam and latex do not.
- Don't use high heat on synthetic fill. It melts and clumps.
- Don't wring a wet pillow. You'll destroy the fill distribution.
- Don't put a damp pillow back on the bed.
06 — Know when to stop
If the pillow is lumpy, yellowed through, or folds in half and stays there, it's finished. Cleaning won't bring it back. Replace it.
07 — LaLa's pick
If LaLa says it works, it works. Nothing gets the seal until she's used it.
Wool dryer balls
Break up clumps without chemicals or heat damage.
Zippered pillow protectors
The actual solution. Put one on the new pillow.
Questions people actually ask
- Can you wash memory foam pillows?
- Not in a washing machine. Vacuum, spot clean with a barely damp cloth, and air dry completely.
- How often should you wash pillows?
- Every three to six months for washable pillows, and replace most pillows every one to three years depending on type.
While we're at it
08 — Ask LaLa™
Still stuck on this one?
Try something like “Can I wash my memory foam pillow?” and tell her what's actually happening.