Pillow Questions

iamjoesgurl · July 2011

We are going to get new pillows today. So my first question is this: what do we do with our old pillows? I hate the thought of throwing them away.

The other question is this: Does anyone wash their pillows? I know you are supposed to but I never have (I know - so gross) because I'm afraid they would be too big for the washer. But now that we are getting new pillows, I was thinking about what we need to do to keep them clean.

amongthelilies25 · July 2011

i'm gross too... and i have never washed my pillows... pillow cases-yes. but i didnt know i was supposed to wash the actual pillow.

when i bought new pillow for FI (he is a stomach sleeper and we just HAD to get these stomach-sleeper pillows when we walked by them at target one day) we saved his old pillow. just for guests or needing another pillow later. idk. haha.

fpaemp2011 · July 2011

My pillow says it CAN'T be washed, so every once in a while I make a paste with borax, water, and a little lavender oil, spread it on the pillow, let it dry, and then vaccuum it off. I don't know if it actually cleans anything, but the pillow smells AMAZING for a few days. And sometimes (when I had a washer & dryer in the house I was in) I put a few drops of lavender oil on the pillow and throw it on the dryer on a 20 minute fluff cylces. It made the house smell amazing, too. ohmygoodness.

FaithCaitlin · July 2011

Count me in as gross too, I guess. I've never washed my pillow. It has a goosefeather interior and while I've never checked to see if it should be washed, it doesn't seem like a good idea for the feathers... As far as your old pillows, I guess I'd donate them to Goodwill. I'm sure someone could use them. I'm not sure if GW accepts bed linens, however. That said, I'd certainly try to donate them somewhere!

fpaemp2011 · July 2011

I just found this here: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/bedding-blankets/how-to-wash-a-pillow-042606

1. Remove the pillow protector (using a zippered one plus a pillowcase helps keep the pillow clean.

2. Fill the sink or washing machine with hot, not warm, water. Hot water kills dust mites without the need for bleach or other chemicals.

3. Add mild, low-suds detergent. We're partial to Woolite.

4. Add the pillow.

5. Agitate.

6. Rinse several times.

7. Before putting the pillow in the dryer, press excess water out of it with a white terry cloth towel. Do not wring or twist if you have a feather pillow -- you'll smash the feathers.

8. Place the pillow in the dryer and air dry, or hang to dry outside. Fluff manually, or toss a clean tennis ball in the dryer.

9. Enjoy your newly clean pillow.

Note: if you have a feather pillow, every time you wash it you'll remove some of the natural oils from the feathers. Eventually, they'll break down, and your pillow won't be as soft as it was. Similarly, synthetic pillows can clump when you wash them, so it's a good idea to limit this ritual to once a year or so.

If your pillows just need to be freshened, put them in the sun for several hours on a clear day, or hang them outside and let them air out.

FaithCaitlin · July 2011

Thanks Emily! I am going to throw mine outside right now!

jessiegirl61610 · July 2011

If you decide you just want to get rid of your old pillows, I know animal shelters are always very greatful for used pillow donations that they can use as dog beds since they have a short supply

kalizoomba · July 2011

I'd keep the old pillows for a while to make sure you can sleep on the new ones - I'm picky about my pillows. I keep the old one while I get used to the new one. Sometimes I alternate every night until I get used to the new one. Then I put the old one in the closet for a while just in case. eventually - usualy around birthdays or christmas, I get some fabric, cut into a square and use my old pillows as stuffing to make new throw pillows as gifts for people. The stuffing can be used for little stuffed animals too or other crafy things like that.

I wash pillows- not as often as my mom did though. I go to the laundry mat because the washers are bigger. Just wash and dry them like normal. I don't sleep on the newly washed pillows for 2 days just to make sure they're 100% dry. (another reason it's good to keep old pillows in the closet!!)

mrandmrsbrist · July 2011

I've never washed a pillow. I don't think FI washes his either...

faith415 · July 2011

I don't wash mine very often, mainly because whenever I wash things like I feel like they lose their nice shape. When I do wash them, I do two at a time to balance out the washing machine, then I either let them air dry or dry them one at a time on low heat.
I would say wash your old ones and keep them around. I never seem to have enough pillows when company comes.

DramaGeek · July 2011

By the time we get rid of our pillows, no one else would want them. We keep a handful around for cushioniong things that we transport or using as dog beds and throw the others away.

iamjoesgurl · July 2011

So, we got to the store and DH picked up one pillow. I said, "I thought you said you wanted four new pillows" (we keep 4 pillows on the bed). His response was, "Oh - I was kidding". So we are only replacing one pillow and the other ones are going to be washed. I also bought four pillow protectors so that they can go inside the pillow protectors once they are clean.

I don't know why I am suddenly concerned about having clean pillows.

Purple&7 · July 2011

I honestly have never washed a pillow before. I guess I'm gross too!

iamjoesgurl · July 2011

I just read an article saying that you should wash pillows about every 3-4 months. And it also said to change your pillow case every other day. Sorry - but that's not happening.

I washed four pillows tonight - two to a load. They are fiber fill, not feather or memory foam. I washed them on the gentle cycle in hot water with a little bit of laundry detergent. Then I put them in the dryer on medium heat for about 1/2 hour and they are currently hanging on our clothesline in the laundry room.

Tomorrow I'm going to bring them out to lay in the sun because the article said that is also good for them. I'll probably put them on a table and turn them over after a few hours to have both sides get about two hours of sun. I'll probably wait a few days to put the pillow protectors on to make sure they are completely dry.

BronwynH · July 2011

I have never heard of washing pillows before...I have memory foam though, so I'm not sure how that would work.

katiedidthat · July 2011

I wash my pillows about once a month and change out my pillow cases once a week. I just throw them in our front load washer and then dry them on the lowest heat possible. Unwashed pillows gross me out.

LittleBigO · July 2011

I'm gross too, it's ok lol.

Can you take out the stuffing and make sofa pillow throws with fabric? Or make a doggie/kitty bed?

That's my idea!!

SuMmErKuTiE · July 2011

I guess we're gross too.. we've never washed our pillows. I didn't know that you can, and just make sure to wash our pillowcases every week with the laundry. I may try Emily's suggestion with the lavendar oil or hanging them up outside, those both sound like good ideas.

soozy87 · July 2011

To "re-fluff" them or maybe to get the lumps out of feather pillows you can put tennis balls, or even clean tennis shoes in the dryer with them.

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