How to Wash Pillows (and When to Replace Them)

Not every pillow filling can go in a washing machine, and guessing wrong can tear a memory foam core or turn a down pillow into a lumpy, mildew-smelling brick. The first move: find the care label in the seam and match it to your fill type. If the label is gone, unzip the inner cover and look at the fill: fine white shreds mean shredded memory foam, one solid block means solid memory foam, feathers and quills mean down or feather, round clusters mean down alternative, and a springy block with visible holes means latex.

Experts recommend washing or spot cleaning pillows at least twice a year, and closer to quarterly if you eat in bed, sleep with pets, or sweat heavily. The steps below are grouped by fill type, since temperature, cycle, and drying time differ.

How to wash a shredded memory foam pillow

Brands that sell shredded foam pillows, including the one reviewed in our Coop Home Goods Original Pillow review, publish care instructions that call for a gentle wash, not a full soak of loose foam bits.

1. Unzip the outer cover and set it aside to wash separately in cold water on the gentle cycle, then tumble dry it on low.
2. Close the inner liner’s zipper and pin it shut with a safety pin so foam shreds cannot spill into the drum.
3. Wash the inner pillow alone in cold water on the delicate cycle with a mild detergent. Skip fabric softener and bleach, both of which can break down the foam.
4. Tumble dry on low heat until it is completely dry. This routinely takes several back-to-back cycles. Reach inside the pillow and feel for damp spots before you put the cover back on, since trapped moisture leads to mold.
5. Wash the shredded foam insert itself no more than once a year. Between washes, run it through the dryer on low for 15 to 30 minutes a month to fluff it and knock out moisture.

How to wash a solid memory foam pillow

A one-piece memory foam pillow, the kind with no zipper or loose fill, cannot go in the washer. Memory foam absorbs water and does not wring out, and soaking it causes permanent damage to the cell structure that gives it support.

1. Remove the pillowcase and any zip-off cover, and wash those separately in cold water, then hang them to dry.
2. To air out the foam core itself, roll it like a sleeping bag, unroll it, then roll it the opposite direction. This lets fresh air reach the middle of the block.
3. For a visible stain, wipe the spot with a cloth that has been dipped in mild soapy water and wrung out until it is barely damp. Never pour water directly onto the foam or submerge it.
4. Let the foam air dry fully, out of direct sun, before putting the cover back on.

How to wash a down or feather pillow

Down and feather pillows can go in a standard washer, but hot water and high heat both damage the plumes.

1. Load two pillows at a time so the drum stays balanced. Washing a single down pillow alone lets it bounce and mat unevenly.
2. Use cool or warm water, never hot, on the delicate cycle with a small amount of a mild, low-sudsing detergent made for down or feather fill.
3. Run an extra rinse and spin cycle. Leftover soap is the main reason down pillows clump after they dry.
4. Dry on low or no heat with three or four clean tennis balls, or wool dryer balls, tossed in to break up clumps as the fill dries. Plan on multiple cycles and fluff the pillow by hand between them.
5. If you would rather air dry, lay the pillow flat away from direct sunlight and rotate it every few hours. Full air drying takes 24 to 48 hours, and a fan or open window speeds it up.

How to wash a down alternative pillow

Down alternative fill (polyester clusters made to mimic down) tolerates the washer well, but check the label for the exact temperature ceiling since blends vary.

1. Confirm the label’s temperature limit. Most down alternative pillows accept cold to warm water, roughly 86 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but high heat can warp the fiber clusters.
2. Wash on the gentle cycle with liquid detergent rather than powder. Powdered detergent often does not fully dissolve on a gentle, lower-water cycle and can leave a residue.
3. Add an extra rinse so no soap is left to bind the fibers together as they dry.
4. Load pillows in pairs for balance, then tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls until completely dry.

How to wash a latex pillow

Latex, whether Talalay or Dunlop, should never go in the washing machine or get soaked. Agitation tears the foam, and trapped water inside a solid latex block will not fully evaporate, which invites mold.

1. Remove the cover and wash it on its own, following its care label.
2. Mix a small amount of mild detergent into warm water. Dip a cloth or sponge, wring it out well, and blot stains rather than scrubbing.
3. Avoid saturating the latex. A little water goes a long way, and excess moisture is very hard to remove from the material once it is in.
4. Air dry away from direct heat and sunlight, both of which speed up latex breaking down over time.
5. Use a breathable, machine-washable pillow protector under the case going forward so you need this step less often.

Common mistakes that shorten pillow life

• Washing one pillow alone: an unbalanced drum mats the fill and can trip the imbalance sensor.
• Using fabric softener or bleach: both break down foam and coat down plumes, and most labels rule them out.
• Skipping the extra rinse: leftover detergent is the top reason down and down alternative fill clumps.
• Using high dryer heat to save time: fine for polyester and down, but it warps memory foam and degrades latex.
• Pulling pillows out while still damp: trapped moisture in any fill lets mold and mildew start growing.

When to replace a pillow instead of washing it

Some pillows are past saving. For down and feather pillows, fold the pillow in half and let go. If it does not spring back into shape, it has lost enough loft that washing will not fix it. General replacement windows: down and feather pillows last 1 to 3 years, down alternative around 1 to 2 years, memory foam and other polyfoam pillows 2 to 3 years, latex 2 to 4 years, and polyester pillows as little as 6 months to 2 years since they are the least durable fill. Pillowcases and protectors are worth swapping every 1 to 2 years on their own schedule. Persistent odor after a full wash and dry cycle, visible yellowing, or a lump that will not fluff back out are all signs to stop washing and replace instead. If that describes your pillow, see our current picks in The Best Pillows of 2026 for the next one.

FAQ

Can any pillow go in the dryer?

No. Down, feather, and down alternative pillows generally handle the dryer on low or no heat. Solid memory foam and latex pillows should never go in the dryer.

How often should pillows be washed?

At least twice a year for most households, closer to every three months if you eat in bed, have pets on the bed, or sweat heavily. Some shredded memory foam brands ask that the foam insert be washed no more than once a year.

Is it safe to wash a memory foam pillow in the washing machine?

It depends on construction. A shredded memory foam pillow with a zip-off liner can usually be washed cold on the delicate cycle with the zipper pinned shut. A solid, one-piece memory foam block cannot be machine washed or soaked.

What is the fold test?

Fold a down or feather pillow in half and release it. If it springs back to roughly its original shape, it still has usable loft. If it stays flattened, replace it rather than keep washing it.

Why does my pillow still smell after washing?

Lingering odor after a full wash and dry cycle usually means moisture is still trapped in the fill, or the fill has broken down enough to hold onto oils and sweat permanently. Replacing the pillow is more reliable than washing it again.