How to Wash Throw Pillows in Washing Machine

How to Wash Throw Pillows in Washing Machine

Yes—if the care label says they’re machine-washable. Remove any covers, pre-treat stains, place pillows in a balanced load (use two pillows or add towels), choose a delicate cycle with cold water and a small dose of mild detergent, run an extra rinse, then air-dry or tumble on low/no-heat with dryer balls to restore loft. Do not machine-wash foam, latex, heavily embellished, or dry-clean-only pillows.

Before You Start: 60-Second Prep Checklist

• Read the care label: Machine-wash only if explicitly allowed.

• Remove covers/inserts: Wash removable covers separately per label.

• Inspect seams & zippers: Secure loose threads; close zippers/buttons.

• Spot test for colorfastness: Dab a hidden area with soapy water; check bleeding.

• Pre-treat stains: Enzyme remover for sweat/food; a bit of dish soap for makeup/oil.

• Contain delicate pieces: Use a mesh laundry bag for beading/embroidery/tassels.

Machine-Washing Throw Pillows: Step-by-Step (Safest Method)

What you’ll need

• Mild liquid detergent (enzyme or delicates; no bleach, no fabric softener)

• 2–3 clean towels (for balance)

• Mesh laundry bags (for delicate covers or trims)

• Dryer balls/clean tennis balls (for fluffing)

Washing

1. Load & balance: Place two pillows opposite each other, or one pillow + towels to stabilize the drum.

2. Cycle: Select Delicate/Gentle (short agitation, slow spin).

3. Water temp: Cold is safest for colors and trims; warm is fine for white cotton if label allows.

4. Detergent dose: Use ~1 tbsp (15 mL) for a standard load—over-dosing leaves residue and clumps.

5. Extra rinse: Add one extra rinse to clear detergent from fill.

6. Spin: Use low–medium spin to avoid seam stress and fill migration.

Drying

1. Pre-dry squeeze: Press (don’t wring) to remove excess water.

2. Tumble: Low or no-heat (Air/Fluff) with 2 dryer balls; pause every 15–20 min to hand-fluff corners/edges.

3. Air-dry finish: Lay flat on a mesh rack in a breezy area until bone-dry (prevents mildew).

4. Final shape: Pat and karate-chop the center to restore profiles on sofas.

Pro tip: If the insert feels cool to the touch, it’s still damp inside—keep drying to avoid musty odors.

Washer Type Settings (Front-Loader vs. Top-Loader)

Fabric & Fill: What’s Machine-Washable?

Insert Fill	Machine-Washable?	Notes
Polyester fiberfill / Down-alternative	✅ Yes	Gentle, cold, extra rinse; low/no-heat dry with balls
Down / Feather	✅ Usually	Gentle, cold; thorough low-heat dry with balls to prevent clumps
Memory foam / Latex / Foam slabs	❌ No	Do not machine-wash; spot clean only
Microbead / Buckwheat	❌ No	Keep dry; clean cover only

Stain Strategy (Quick, Effective, Color-Safe)

• Sweat/food (protein): Enzyme stain remover, dwell 10–15 min, then wash.

• Makeup/sunscreen/oil: A drop of dish soap + warm water; dab, don’t rub.

• Yellowing on white cotton covers: Oxygen bleach (not chlorine) soak 30–60 min, then wash.

• Odors: ½ cup white vinegar in the rinse (color-safe), or baking soda sprinkle pre-wash.

When Not to Machine-Wash (Use Hand-Wash or Spot Clean)

• Foam or latex inserts (risk of tearing, crumbling)

• Silk, wool, specialty velvets, or dry-clean-only labels

• Heavily embellished designs (beads, metallic threads, appliqués)

• Antique/hand-dyed textiles (color migration risk)

Hand-wash fallback (covers or inserts that allow soak):
Fill sink with cold water + 1 tsp delicate detergent → submerge and gently swish 5–10 min → rinse until clear → press water out (no wring) → air-dry flat.

Spot clean (non-washable):
Mild detergent + water → dab outward-to-center → wipe with damp cloth → air-dry; for odors, baking soda 30–60 min → vacuum.

• How to Get Yellow Stains Out of Pillows – Simple Cleaning Tips

Frequency & Hygiene

• Light-use décor: Wash 1–2× per year.

• Homes with kids/pets/allergies: Quarterly or as needed.

• Between washes: Vacuum upholstery weekly; toss pillows in no-heat dryer 15–20 min with dryer balls to remove dust/dander.

Troubleshooting

• Clumps after drying: Extra no-heat tumble with dryer balls; hand-massage corners and seams.

• Soapy feel/residue: Run a cold extra rinse; reduce detergent next time.

• Musty smell: Pillow wasn’t fully dry—air on a rack near a fan/sun; consider a vinegar rinse next wash.

• Color bleeding: Stop, rinse cold immediately; future washes cold + color catcher sheet.

FAQs

Can throw pillows with zippers be washed as one piece?
If the label permits, remove the cover and wash it separately from the insert—this cleans more effectively and reduces seam stress. Machine-wash the insert only if the fill type allows (poly/down), and always use cold + gentle.

Is bleach safe for whitening throw pillow covers?
Avoid chlorine bleach on most décor fabrics—it weakens fibers and can yellow polyester. Use oxygen bleach on whites and color-safe formulas on prints, and always spot test first.

How do I wash pillows with heavy embroidery or tassels?
Place in a mesh laundry bag on delicate + cold if the label allows. If trims are delicate/loose, opt for spot cleaning only to avoid snags or thread pulls.

Why do my pillows smell even after washing?
Residual moisture causes musty odors. Dry longer on low/no-heat, then finish on a mesh rack until the insert is completely dry. A rinse with ½ cup vinegar can neutralize stale smells without leaving scent behind.

Can I speed-dry throw pillows?
Use no-heat/air with dryer balls and a fan for circulation. High heat can shrink covers and damage fills, especially down and synthetics—avoid it to preserve loft and shape.