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The year-end is approaching, and with it comes the annual big cleaning. Many people probably plan to clean areas that are usually difficult to reach, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and under beds and sofas, right?
While a clean room and bedding are comfortable, one often overlooked item is the pillow itself. It's a big mistake to think, "I wash my pillowcases regularly, so it's fine." In reality, pillows accumulate a lot of dirt.
Therefore, this article introduces the correct way to wash pillows.
How dirty do pillows get?
While many people wash their pillowcases regularly, dirt also accumulates in the pillow itself. If you continue to use it without removing the dirt, it can lead to the growth of mold and dust mites.
Long-used pillows harbor this many dust mites and mold!
According to a survey conducted by Brain Sleep, it has been found that pillows used for one year can breed over 5,000 dust mites in urethane pillows and over 20,000 in feather pillows.
Some pillows can be machine-washed depending on their material. If you have house dust or dust mite allergies, or if you have small children, choose a washable pillow.
Can your pillow be washed?
Generally, there are washable and non-washable materials, so let's start by looking at them by material.
Washable materials
Polyester fiberfill
This is a common pillow material, a fluffy synthetic fiber similar to cotton. Generally, it can be washed, but some products cannot be water-washed, so check the care label. If it cannot be washed, sun-drying is recommended.
Beads
Generally, fine beads are not suitable for water washing because they absorb a lot of water and are difficult to dry. However, Maruko beads, which have a hollow core, are highly resilient and durable, making them washable.
Pipes
Pipes, made by cutting straw-like tubes into small pieces, are highly durable and breathable, making them washable. They are also resistant to deterioration even after repeated washing.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is highly durable and breathable, so many products can be machine-washed. However, some products, such as those with special constructions or those that may deform when washed, can only be hand-washed, so check the care label.
Non-washable materials
Buckwheat hulls
Plant-based materials such as buckwheat hulls dry slowly, so if they are water-washed, mold is likely to grow, and they may rot, leading to the proliferation of bacteria or insects. Be careful not to get them wet.
Low-rebound urethane
Low-rebound urethane has a sponge-like structure with continuous small air bubbles, so when immersed in water, it absorbs a lot of water, becomes heavy, and its strength weakens.
Some products are washable, but generally, getting them wet can cause tearing and shredding, and also weaken their low-rebound properties.
Down
Animal-based materials like down dry slowly and are very delicate. If they get wet, they lose their fluffy texture, so many products are not washable.
Don't just judge by the material!
Be sure to check the care label on your pillow. While it's possible to judge whether a material is washable or not, be aware that even with the same material, some may be washable and others not. Also, even for washable materials, the washing method may differ, so be careful.
Washable pillows have a wash tub symbol and a tumble dry symbol.
Tumble drying refers to the drying method used in household drum washing machines and coin laundry dryers. One dot inside the circle means the maximum allowable dryer temperature is 60°C, and two dots mean 80°C.
Also, the wash tub symbol indicates that machine washing is possible, and the temperature display shows the maximum water temperature for washing. A hand in the wash tub symbol indicates that hand washing is possible; although there is no temperature display, the maximum temperature is 40°C. Be careful not to put it in the washing machine by mistake.
How often should you wash your pillow?
If your pillow material is washable, how often should it be laundered?
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Guidelines for Hygiene Management in the Hotel Business" states that pillows should be thoroughly washed at least once every six months to keep them clean.
However, if you are concerned about dirt or odor, please wash it at that time. Pillows, which your head and face are constantly in contact with during sleep, get surprisingly dirty with sweat, sebum, and dandruff.
Even if you wash the pillowcase, dirt accumulating in the pillow itself can lead to mold and dust mites, which can cause skin irritation and hair problems, so be careful. Also, if you use a pillow before it is completely dry, mold is likely to grow, so when water washing, choose a sunny day for laundry or select a pillow made of quick-drying material.
Washing methods by material
Even among washable materials, washing methods vary, such as machine washing or hand washing, so here's how to wash each material.
Polyester fiberfill
Many products are generally hand-washable, and you can use your usual laundry detergent.
What to prepare
Neutral laundry detergent, a large basin that can hold a pillow (a bathroom sink is also fine), lukewarm water
Washing procedure
1: Remove the pillowcase and take out the inner cover. Wash the pillowcase separately in the washing machine.
2: If there are heavy stains or spots, pre-soak them with detergent to lift them.
3: Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water, add neutral detergent, and mix to dissolve.
4: Place the pillow's inner cover in the water, let it soak thoroughly, and gently press to wash by hand.
5: After washing, rinse thoroughly until no more suds appear, then put it in the washing machine and spin dry for about 3 minutes. Keep it short so that the filling material doesn't become uneven.
6: Pat the filling material to evenly distribute it, and sun dry it in a well-ventilated area.
7: Once completely dry, put the pillowcase back on, and you're done. Since uneven distribution of the filling can make it uncomfortable to sleep on, it's recommended to shape it and dry it flat on a surface after spinning.
Some products can be hung to dry, but be careful as this can lead to unevenness.
Beads/Pipes
Many products are generally hand-washable, and you can use your usual laundry detergent.
What to prepare
Neutral laundry detergent, a large basin that can hold a pillow (a bathroom sink is also fine), lukewarm water
Washing procedure
1: Remove the pillowcase and take out the inner cover. Wash the pillowcase separately in the washing machine.
2: If there are heavy stains or spots, pre-soak them with detergent to lift them.
3: Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water, add neutral detergent, and mix to dissolve.
4: Place the pillow's inner cover in the water, let it soak thoroughly, and gently knead to wash by hand.
5: After washing, rinse thoroughly until no more suds appear, then wrap it in a bath towel to remove excess water.
6: Pat the material to evenly distribute it, and hang it to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
7: Once the pipes are thoroughly dry, put the pillowcase back on, and you're done.
If only a portion is stained, it's recommended to apply detergent only to the heavily stained area rather than washing the entire pillow.
It dries quickly, preventing mold growth. If you can remove the beads or pipes from the inner bag, it's easy to take them all out, transfer them to a colander, and rinse them with water.
Polyethylene (Pipes)
Many products are generally machine-washable, and you can use your usual laundry detergent. However, be sure to check the care label beforehand.
What to prepare
Neutral laundry detergent, laundry net
Washing procedure
1: Remove the pillowcase and take out the inner cover. Wash the pillowcase separately in the washing machine.
2: If there are heavy stains or spots, pre-soak them with detergent to lift them.
3: Place the pillow in a laundry net and put it in the washing machine.
4: Add neutral detergent to the designated compartment and select a gentle wash cycle such as "hand wash" or "delicate."
5: Once all cycles are complete, remove the pillow, pat the filling material to evenly distribute it, and sun dry it.
6: Once completely dry, put the pillowcase back on, and you're done.
If the pillow is too large for your washing machine, hand wash it. Also, for large or thick pillows, the "blanket mode" which uses plenty of water to wash thoroughly, is recommended. There is a risk of the contents coming out during washing, so even when washing only the pillow, put it in a laundry net.
Also, make sure the zipper on the pillow body is securely closed. If it's open, the inner material will come out, making it difficult to reshape.
It may take 4-5 days for the pillow to dry completely, but if it's not thoroughly dry, it can cause mold growth, so make sure it's completely dry inside.
Consider using a coin laundry if it doesn't fit in your home washing machine
Coin laundries often have larger washing machines than home washing machines, making them recommended for people who use large pillows.
Also, coin laundries often have washer-dryers or standalone dryers, which can reduce drying time. Furthermore, since temperatures of 60°C or higher are required to kill dust mites, which cause allergies, using a dryer not only saves time but also helps with dust mite control. Check the care label on your pillow to see if dryer use is permitted.
It's also important to check beforehand, as some coin laundries prohibit washing pillows.
Precautions when washing in a drum-type washing machine
If the weight becomes uneven in a drum-type washing machine, it may stop due to an error during washing or spinning. In this case, adjust the pillow's position and restart. Errors are particularly common during spinning, so if it repeatedly stops, wrap the pillow in a bath towel to remove excess water.
Also, polyester fiberfill pillows tend to clump during spinning, so it's important to pat the filling material to evenly distribute it before drying.
Care methods for non-washable pillows
Next, we will introduce maintenance methods for non-washable pillows. For non-washable pillows, the basic care is to regularly air them out to dry. Sun drying is ideal for many materials, but for materials that are not suitable for sun drying, dry them in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
Buckwheat hulls
Buckwheat hulls are best sun-dried. By turning them so that sunlight hits all sides, you can also expect a sterilizing effect from the sun.
Care procedure
1: Remove the buckwheat hulls and spread them out on newspaper so they don't overlap.
2: Cover with a food cover to prevent them from being blown away by the wind. You can also transfer them to a drying net.
3: Dry in direct sunlight. Sun-drying at least once every 6 months is recommended, but doing it daily is also fine. If left outside after sunset, they will absorb moisture, so bring them in by around 3 PM at the latest.
Low-rebound urethane
Low-rebound urethane is best air-dried in the shade. Hang it in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. If drying indoors, use a fan to improve ventilation.
Care procedure
1: With the protective cover still on, air dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
Because low-rebound urethane has a sponge-like structure with continuous small air bubbles, simply airing it out can keep it clean. Even daily use can ventilate it, so frequent air-drying in the shade is not necessary. However, if it hasn't been used for a long time, old air may have accumulated, so air it out in the shade once before using.
Down
For down, it's recommended to air dry in the shade about once a week. Hang it in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. If drying indoors, use a fan to improve ventilation.
Care procedure
1: Place newspaper in a well-ventilated area, put the pillow on it, and air dry in the shade.
2: After drying, gently pat both sides to fluff the feathers inside. Placing the pillow on newspaper helps absorb moisture from the pillow, efficiently removing dampness.
How about cleaning your pillow this year?
We've introduced how to wash and care for your pillow itself.
Please be aware that continued use of a pillow without maintenance can lead to the proliferation of dust mites and mold, which can cause skin problems, allergies, and asthma. This year, thoroughly clean your pillow as part of your year-end cleaning for a good night's sleep! [References]
*"Regarding the Revision of the Regulations on Quality Labeling for Textile Products based on the Household Goods Quality Labeling Act" Consumer Affairs Agency
*"Guidelines for Hygiene Management in the Hotel Business" Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
