{photo by yvette inufio}
If you've never washed (or replaced) your pillows, they're probably looking more like pancakes than these lovely, lofty pillows. I'm not sure when a newsletter was sent out saying that washing pillowcases suffices for clean pillows. It does not. Your pillows come in contact with sweat, drool, facial oils, furry felines + lucky dogs, and heavy heads on a daily basis. They need some love.
Assess the situation: if you've never washed your pillows and they're flattened and weighty, your pillows likely have dustmites. After five years of sleeping on a pillow, 10 percent of its weight is dustmites (gross!!), according to Dr. Tierno, author of The Secret Life Of Germs . You don't want to be inhaling that ick in your sleep. Start fresh with new pillows if this sounds like you. If your pillows don't feel broken (their shape is intact), and they're from the 21st century, then read below the fold to find out how to care for them.
1. Pick up pillow protectors: Get thee to Bed, Bath & Beyond (or your favorite discount bedding spot) and pick up allergen-proof pillow protectors which sandwich between your pillow and pillowcase to shield pillows from the ick.
2. Most pillows can be machine-washed (even washable down pillows are common now.) I wash my pillows about twice a year. You also want to wash your pillow protectors — I wash mine every few weeks as they're easy to toss in the wash. Types of pillows that can't be washed: wool-filled, silk, and buckwheat pillows. You have to air those in the sun. If you're not sure whether your pillow is washable, just check the label. I prefer front-loaders for all laundry, but if you have a top-loader at home, pillows warrant a trip to the laundromat. The center agitator in a top-loader can do a number on your pillows. Opt for the delicates setting and a delicate detergent. Most pillows can be put in the dryer too, except the memory foam variety. (foam + dryer = bad)
3. Fluff your pillows. This simple step helps restore the pillow's loft. Down pillows and synthetic down pillows are made up of clusters that will bounce back after a good fluff.
