How To Wash Body Pillow

You love your body pillow for its comfort, but keeping it clean is essential. Learning how to wash body pillow properly will extend its life and keep your sleeping environment fresh. This guide covers every method, from machine washing to hand cleaning, for all types of pillows.

We’ll walk you through checking the care label, pre-treating stains, and choosing the right detergent. Drying is just as important, so we cover that in detail too. With these steps, you can maintain your pillow’s support and hygiene for years to come.

This is your complete process, from start to finish. Always check your pillow’s care instructions first, as they are the ultimate authority. If the tag is missing, the methods below are generally safe for most common materials.

Step 1: Check the Care Label

This is the most critical step. The care label inside the pillowcase seam tells you everything. Look for symbols or text indicating if it’s machine washable, dry clean only, or spot clean only. Ignoring this can ruin your pillow.

Step 2: Remove the Outer Cover

Most body pillows have a removable cover. Unzip it and take it off. The cover and the inner pillow (the insert) are usually cleaned separately. This allows for a more thorough clean and faster drying times. If your pillow is one solid piece, you’ll wash it as a whole.

Step 3: Pre-Treat Any Stains

Check the pillow or cover for stains like drool, sweat, or makeup. Apply a small amount of a gentle stain remover or a paste of baking soda and water directly to the stain. Gently rub it in and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before washing. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the fabric or filling.

Step 4: Choose Your Washing Method

Now, decide how to clean based on the care label and your pillow’s construction.

Machine Washing (For Machine-Washable Pillows)

Use a front-loading or top-loading washer without an agitator if possible. An agitator can be too rough.
Select a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or warm water. Hot water can damage some fabrics and fillings.
Use a mild, liquid detergent. Powder detergents sometimes don’t rinse out fully.
Add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all soap is removed. Soap residue attracts dirt faster.
You can wash two pillows together to balance the load, but don’t overcrowd the machine.

Hand Washing (For Delicate or Non-Machine Washable Pillows)

Fill a bathtub or large basin with lukewarm water.
Add a small amount of mild detergent and swish to dissolve.
Submerge the pillow and gently press and squeeze it to work the soapy water through. Don’t twist or wring.
Drain the soapy water and refill with clean water. Repeat rinsing until the water runs completely clear.

Spot Cleaning (For Dry Clean Only or Very Fragile Pillows)

If the label says “spot clean only,” this is your only safe option. Mix a small amount of gentle detergent with water. Dampen a clean cloth (don’t soak it) and gently blot the stained area. Follow with a cloth dampened with plain water to rinse. Always blot, never scrub vigorously.

Step 5: Drying Your Body Pillow Thoroughly

A damp pillow can grow mold and mildew inside. This step cannot be rushed.

Tumble Drying (Low Heat): Place the pillow in the dryer with 2-3 clean dryer balls or tennis balls in socks. The balls help break up clumps of filling. Use the lowest heat setting or an air-only cycle. Check every 20 minutes to fluff and redistribute the filling. This may take several cycles.
Air Drying: Lay the pillow flat on a clean, dry surface, preferably with good airflow or sunlight. Rotate it every few hours. You can also hang it over two parallel laundry lines to allow air circulation on all sides. This method takes the longest, often 24-48 hours.

Ensure the pillow is 100% dry—no damp spots or cool areas—before putting the cover back on.

Step 6: Washing the Body Pillow Cover

The cover can usually be washed more frequently. Follow its care label, but most cotton or polyester blends can be washed on a warm, gentle cycle and tumbled dry on low. Iron if needed while slightly damp.

Special Considerations for Different Fillings

Not all body pillows are filled the same. The material inside changes how you should care for it.

Memory Foam or Shredded Foam Pillows

These are almost never machine washable. Submerging can destroy the foam’s structure. Spot cleaning is the standard method. For odors, sprinkle baking soda lightly over the surface, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it off thoroughly.

Microbead or PVC Pellet Pillows

These are also not suitable for machine washing. The beads can escape or damage your washer. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and mild soap. For a deeper clean, you may need to carefully open a seam, pour the beads into a laundry bag to wash them separately, then wash the empty shell before refilling. This is advanced and risky.

Down or Feather Pillows

These can often be machine washed gently. Use cold water and a mild detergent. The key is thorough drying with dryer balls to prevent clumping. They make take a very long time to dry completely.

Polyester Fiberfill Pillows

This is the most common and forgiving filling. It’s typically machine washable and dryable on low heat. They are the easiest to maintain at home.

How Often Should You Wash a Body Pillow?

Your washing schedule depends on use. A good general rule is to wash the pillow insert every 3-6 months. The removable cover should be washed every 2-4 weeks, just like your bed sheets. If you have allergies, are sick, or sweat a lot, you might need to wash it more often. Obviously, immediate cleaning is needed for any spills or stains.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s what often goes wrong, so you can skip the headaches.

Using Too Much Detergent: Extra soap doesn’t mean extra clean. It just leaves residue that makes the pillow get dirty faster and can irritate your skin.
High Heat: High heat in the washer or dryer can melt some synthetics, cause filling to clump permanently, and shrink fabrics.
Not Drying Fully: Putting a slightly damp pillow away is asking for mildew. The musty smell is very hard to remove.
Overloading the Washer: This prevents the pillow from agitating and rinsing properly, leading to uneven cleaning and soap retention.
Using Bleach or Harsh Cleaners: These can weaken fabrics, cause discoloration, and degrade the filling material over time.

Tips for Keeping Your Body Pillow Fresher Longer

Regular maintenance between washes makes the big cleans easier.

Use a protective, waterproof cover under your regular pillowcase. This acts as a barrier against sweat and spills.
Air it out regularly. On a sunny day, let it sit by an open window for a few hours.
Fluff it up daily to maintain its shape and prevent the filling from compacting in one area.
Vacuum the surface with an upholstery attachment to remove dust and skin cells.
Rotate and flip the pillow end-to-end weekly to ensure even wear and support.

FAQ Section

Can you put a body pillow in the washing machine?

Yes, but only if the care label explicitly says it is machine washable. Ensure your machine is large enough and use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent.

How do you dry a body pillow after washing?

The best method is using a dryer on low heat with dryer balls. For air drying, lay it flat in a well-ventilated area and flip it regularly. Complete dryness is non-negotiable.

Can I wash a body pillow with foam inside?

Solid memory foam should never be submerged. Only spot clean the surface. Shredded foam pillows are sometimes hand-washable, but you must check the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

What is the best way to wash a large body pillow?

The process is the same, but ensure you have a large enough capacity washer. A commercial-sized machine at a laundromat might be necessary for very large pillows. Hand washing in a bathtub is a reliable alternative.

How to get smells out of a body pillow?

During washing, add half a cup of baking soda or white vinegar to the rinse cycle for odor neutralization. For between washes, sprinkling baking soda, letting it sit, and vacuuming works well. Sunlight is also a great natural odor eliminator.

Is it safe to wash a weighted body pillow?

Most weighted pillows are not designed to be fully submerged. The interior weighted beads (often glass or plastic) can be damaged or cause machine damage. Always follow the specific care instructions; spot cleaning is usually recommended.

Keeping your body pillow clean is a key part of good sleep hygiene. By following these steps—checking the label, pre-treating stains, washing gently, and drying thoroughly—you can protect your investment and ensure many nights of clean comfort. Regular care prevents the need for harsh cleaning methods later on. Now you have the knowledge to handle it confidently.