How to wash pillows: a care-label decision guide
Separate washable covers from filled pillows that need another care route.
Last updated October 2026
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How to wash pillows depends on the filling and the label on that exact pillow. Remove the case and protector, then read the pillow's own care instructions. Don't put a foam core through a wash just because its outer cover is washable.
Wash the filled pillow only when its label allows it. Use the stated cycle and drying method, with enough room for the item to move. Keep removable covers separate from cores that must stay dry. Check the inside for damp clumps before returning a washed pillow to the bed. If the label is missing, identify the model before choosing a method.
How to wash pillows: choose the correct route
| Label or construction | What to do |
|---|---|
| Filled pillow marked machine washable | Follow its exact wash and dry instructions |
| Removable washable cover over foam | Wash the cover separately; follow core instructions |
| Spot clean only | Treat only as the maker directs; don't soak |
| Dry clean only | Use that route; don't swap in a home wash |
| Missing or unreadable label | Find the exact maker's instructions first |
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Tempur-Pedic says not to wash TEMPUR material. Its removable cover has separate care instructions. The maker's cleaning advice is a useful example of why the cover and core must be treated as two items.
Before the wash
Check the seams and shell for tears. Wet fill escaping into a machine is a reason to stop, not to press start and hope. Deal with damage as the maker advises before washing.
Read your washer's pillow or bulky-item instructions. Don't force a large pillow into a small drum. Any advice to balance a load with two pillows applies only when the machine and pillow instructions permit it. The label sets the cleaning method; the appliance manual sets its loading limits.
Wash and rinse by the label
Use the stated temperature and cycle. Measure detergent according to its instructions, the load and your water conditions. More detergent is not a substitute for a proper rinse. Don't add bleach or a softener unless the pillow's care instructions allow it.
Check for detergent left on the shell after the cycle. If the maker permits an extra rinse, that can remove remaining suds. Don't twist or wring a filled pillow unless its instructions call for that handling.
Dry all the way through
Follow the drying label. Where tumble drying is allowed, use the stated heat and any maker-approved drying aids. Check the whole pillow, not just the outer cloth. A dry shell can hide damp fill in the middle.
Don't choose a fixed time from an online guide. Size, fill and the machine all affect the time needed. Let the pillow cool before your final dampness check, and don't seal it in a protector or cupboard while it is wet. For feather and down care, use our down pillow guide.
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Frequently asked questions
Can every synthetic pillow go in the washer?
No. The exact construction and label decide. A polyester-filled pillow can have different instructions from one containing foam pieces or a separate foam core. Check the filled item itself. The fact that a case is washable doesn't tell you how to clean what sits inside it.
What if the pillow smells after washing?
Check whether the fill is still damp, and follow the maker's drying advice. Don't cover the smell with fragrance and put it away wet. If the label's cleaning method doesn't solve the problem, contact the maker. Inspect the condition before deciding whether the pillow can stay in use.
Verdict on how to wash pillows
How to wash pillows is a label-first decision. Keep the cover, protector and filled item on their own care routes. See when to replace a pillow or return to bedding care.
The care distinctions come from Tempur-Pedic's advice above, Pacific Coast laundry care, and Brooklinen's pillow instructions. Each brand's instructions apply to its named items; they do not set a wash method for every pillow.