Photo by Castorly Stockfrom PexelsYou're certainly fastidious about washing your sheets and comforter, but can you say the same about your pillows? Because pillows may harbor a variety of pests, dead skin, dust mites, and their droppings, it's critical to treat them with the same care as the rest of your bed. To keep your pillows fresh and clean, we contacted Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications, marketing, and membership at the American Cleaning Institute, for his top cleaning and maintenance recommendations.

How to Clean Pillows

According to Sansoni, most pillows, including those filled with cotton, feather, down, and fiberfill, may be washed in a washing machine using warm water on the gentle cycle, but it's always a good idea to check the label first for cleaning instructions. "Your pillow may be one of the few that need dry cleaning," he explains. Foam pillows are a frequent variety that should not be washed since the agitation is too severe and will certainly tear up the cushioning. Regardless, foam pillows may be cleaned at home using a different way. "You may wash the detachable cover (if it has one) following the cleaning directions on the label," Sansoni explains. To clean the foam, remove any debris or dust from the cushion using a vacuum attachment.

How Often Should Pillows Be Laundered?

While the rest of your bedding should be washed on a regular basis, pillows have a little more leeway. Pillows should be washed every six months at the absolute least. To keep your pillows looking their best, Sansoni recommends cleaning them "at least every three months—or four times a year." Pillowcases should be washed with your bedding as part of your weekly cleaning regimen.

While it is vital to wash your pillows on a regular basis, it is equally crucial to know when to replace them. Sansoni recommends replacing your pillows every one to two years. The National Sleep Foundation backs up this timeline, however it's worth noting that particular kinds of pillows may last even longer.

Is The Kind of Washing Machine Important?

For cleaning pillows, use a front- or top-loading washer without an agitator (the spindle in the middle of the washing machine). That doesn't mean you can't clean pillows in a top-loading machine with an agitator; Sansoni just suggests inserting the pillows in vertically so they don't get damaged and agitating for only one or two minutes on the mild cycle. "After cleaning, utilize your washer's spin dry function at least twice to remove as much moisture as possible from the cushions," he says.

Pillow Spot Treatment

As with cleaning, there are many approaches to spot-treating your pillows depending on their nature. Sansoni suggests spot cleaning any filthy parts of a foam cushion with a cloth soaked in a mild soap solution. If the pillow contains stains from things such as blood or saliva, you may wish to pre-treat the stains to help them come out. Digestants (detergents containing enzymes) should do the work.

How to Care for Pillows

Allowing your pillows to air-dry is entirely acceptable. You may even put them in the dryer, depending on the cleaning recommendations on the package. (For example, when foam pillows come into touch with heat, they might catch fire.) If you can use your dryer, Sansoni suggests putting it through multiple cycles to ensure the cushion is completely dry. "When drying, remove pillows and fluff them on a regular basis to minimize clumping and encourage equal drying," Sansoni advises. "Tossing a few tennis or dryer balls in with the pillows in the dryer can also help avoid clumping."

Down Pillow Maintenance

While your down pillows may seem to need professional care, they can easily be cleaned at home. Of course, you should consult the fabric care label, but washing on a gentle setting in cold water is often adequate for cleaning. "Launder two at the same time to help maintain your washing machine balanced throughout the spin cycle," recommends Sansoni.