How To Clean Polyester Fiber Pillow
The problem with polyester pillows is that they are machine-washable. And no one wants to spend their hard-earned vacation time washing bedding. But after a few nights in a hotel and some almost sleepless nights on the cruise ship, it’s time for an intervention: Do you want to keep the pillow or throw it away? If you want to keep your pillow, then follow these steps. When it comes to cleaning polyester pillows, there are two things you need to know: hand-washing and dry cleaning only. Why? Because as much as you might like that hotel feel of throwing your pillows in the machine, they can’t take it. Here’s how to clean polyester fiber pillows so they stay fluffy and fresh all year long.
Step 1: Turn your pillow inside out
If you want to keep your pillow, you first need to turn it inside out. That is to say, you need to expose the part of the pillow that’s been in direct contact with your face, face oils and skin oils. That’s the part of the pillow that’s going to need cleaning. Flip your pillow. You’ve just saved yourself a few steps. By turning it inside out, the part that needs to be cleaned is now facing the outside, so you can more easily wash it. You’re also getting a good look at the stitching of your pillow and can check for any loose or frayed threads — and then cut them off.
Step 2: Mix the cleaning solution
If you’re trying to clean stains from your pillow, you can make a super simple stain remover with boiling water, baking soda and liquid detergent. If you just want to freshen your pillow, warm water, a few drops of your favorite essential oil and a small amount of mild laundry soap should do the trick. If you choose to add the mild laundry soap, mix it with the warm water before adding the essential oils so that it dissolves completely. You can use any essential oil you’d like, but we recommend lavender because it’s known for its relaxing properties.
Step 3: Hand-wash the pillow
While hand washing your pillows works best, you can also put them in a machine-washable pillow cover. But you’ll have to take a few extra steps to ensure that your pillow cover stays clean. – First, tie off the loose end of the pillow cover so that the water doesn’t seep inside. – Next, use a mesh bag or small pillowcase to catch any loose threads that might come loose during the washing process. – Last, make sure you wash your pillow cover and pillow together.
Step 4: Dry your pillows by airing them out
When your pillow is clean, dry it by airing it out. You can also put it in the dryer by itself for a few minutes to get the water out. But make sure it’s not wet when you put it back on your bed. The last thing you want is for the water to transfer to your other pillows. If you don’t have time to air your pillow out, then put the wet pillow in a dry pillow cover. This will help keep your pillow dry and protect your other pillows. You can also use newspaper or fabric towels to soak up any excess water.
The Bottom Line
As much as you’d like to keep your pillow in the machine, you can’t. Polyester-filled pillows can’t handle the hot water, so you have to hand wash them and hang them to dry. But with these four steps, you can keep your pillow clean and fluffy. And don’t forget to protect your pillow with a pillow protector. This easy step will help keep your pillow clean, help extend its life and keep your sheets cleaner longer.
