How often you should wash your pillows: the answer may be surprising

You probably have a more or less clear schedule for washing your bedding. But have you ever thought that its cleanliness depends, among other things, on the condition of the pillows?

Household experts say that pillows should also be taken care of regularly. Some are simply cleaned in the washing machine from time to time. OBOZ.UA has collected tips on what to do with those items that do not tolerate such care, as well as some general recommendations.

What affects the frequency of pillow washing

You may be surprised, but the time of year significantly affects how often you need to wash your pillows. In the warm season, or when it gets hot or humid, you need to clean them every 3 months, not 6, as is the average.

Items will need even more frequent care if someone in your home suffers from allergies. Dust mites that accumulate in the filler can provoke attacks of suffocation and even asthma. In this case, you should clean the pillows at least once every three months.

Another factor that increases the need to wash pillows is the presence of animals at home. Their hair is an additional pollutant. You should clean your pillows even more often if you have a habit of eating in bed.

It's not even worth mentioning children's pillows. A child's bedding should be more thoroughly maintained than an adult's. The same goes for pillows.

Which pillows should not be machine washed

Read the label on your pillow. If it allows it, just throw it in the washing machine every 3-6 months (depending on the circumstances). However, not all types of fillings can withstand this kind of cleaning.

Memory foam or gel need different care. It is better to vacuum them periodically and remove stains from the covers with a damp cloth. Vacuuming is the key to removing dust mites and allergens, and spot cleaning can help eliminate odors and other issues.

How to wash pillows that cannot be put in the machine

Usually, pillows that cannot tolerate machine washing are cleaned quite effectively by hand washing. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do it:

• Fill a bathtub or large sink with warm water and add a few drops of detergent. However, don't overdo it - the solution should be weak enough to avoid staining;
• Immerse the pillow in water and leave it for 10 minutes, press on it several times to make the soap solution pass through the thickness of the filler and rinse it;
• Rinse the pillow with water at a temperature that your material can withstand (information about this should be on the tag);
• Wrap the pillow in a towel and squeeze it to remove moisture. Do not twist it to avoid deforming it;
• Allow the pillow to air dry completely before putting it back in the cover.

Tips for machine washable pillows

If your pillows are machine washable, caring for them will be much easier. But you still need to take some precautions. The biggest mistake is to wash such items together with a small amount of laundry. This can cause the pillow to bunch up and get damaged more quickly during washing.

To avoid this, it is better to wash two pillows at a time. And don't forget to put washing balls in the drum so that they whip up the filler in the process.

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