Can you wash pillows?

Down, feather and polyester fill can be machine washed and tumble dried, and they need to be — a pillow accumulates skin cells, oils and dust mites over its life. Memory foam and latex are a different material entirely: they are open-cell foams that absorb several times their weight in water, tear apart under the agitator, and cannot be dried through before mould establishes inside. Wash two pillows at a time so the drum stays balanced, and dry them with a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls to break up clumped fill. A pillow that stays lumpy or smells damp after drying was not dried through and should go back in.

How to do it properly

1. Check the care label first; if it says foam or latex, stop.
2. Wash two at once on a gentle warm cycle with half the usual detergent.
3. Run an extra rinse — detergent trapped in fill is what makes pillows stiff.
4. Tumble dry low with dryer balls, and expect 60 to 90 minutes.
5. Squeeze the middle before putting it back on the bed. Any dampness means more drying.

Other options

• Spot-clean memory foam with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry fully.
• Vacuum foam pillows with an upholstery attachment to lift dust.
• Use a washable pillow protector so the pillow itself needs washing far less often.

Other "can you wash" questions

• Can you wash sneakers in the washing machine? It depends — Canvas and synthetic trainers survive a cold gentle cycle. Leather and suede do not.
• Can you wash memory foam? No — No. Memory foam disintegrates in a washing machine and cannot be dried through.
• Can you wash a weighted blanket? It depends — Usually yes, but check the weight — most domestic machines top out around 7 kg dry.
• Can you wash silk? It depends — Hand wash cold with a pH-neutral detergent. Never use biological powder or hot water.
• Can you wash wool? It depends — Yes, cold and without agitation. Heat plus movement is what felts it, not water alone.
• Can you wash stuffed animals? It depends — Most wash fine in a pillowcase on cold gentle. Anything with electronics or glued parts does not.
• Can you wash a down jacket? Yes — Yes, and you should — but it must be tumble dried with dryer balls or the down stays clumped.