A clean C-shaped nursing pillow with a freshly laundered cover on a nursery chair

Can You Wash a Boppy Pillow? (Yes, Here’s How)

Yes, you can wash a Boppy pillow. The removable cover is machine-washable, and most Boppy pillows can go in the machine too. Just check the care tag first.

Nursing pillows take a lot of spills, drool, and spit-up, so they need regular cleaning. Here is how to wash both the cover and the pillow without wrecking either.

The short answer

A removable nursing pillow cover being placed into a front-loading washing machine
  • The cover: unzips and goes straight in the washing machine.
  • The pillow: most are machine-washable on a gentle, cool cycle. Check the care tag to be sure.
  • The catch is drying. A pillow that never fully dries can grow mildew, so it has to dry completely before you use it again.

How to wash a Boppy pillow

Step 1: Wash the cover.

  • Unzip and remove the cover, then zip it back up so the zipper does not snag.
  • Check the care label, then machine wash on a gentle, cool cycle (around 30°C / 85°F), alone or with burp cloths.
  • Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent, the same one you use for baby clothes. A little baking soda helps with odors.
  • Tumble dry low.

Step 2: Wash the pillow.

  • Check the care tag first. Most Boppy pillows are machine-washable, but confirm yours is before you start.
  • A front-loading machine is gentlest, since it has no center agitator. Wash cool on a gentle setting.
  • Use mild detergent and skip the fabric softener, which can coat and matt the fill.
  • Dry it completely. Tumble dry low and give it extra time. A couple of clean dryer balls keep the fill from clumping. Do not use it again until it is fully dry, right through the middle.

Keep it cleaner between washes

A nursing pillow laid flat to dry on a towel near a window with a folded spare cover beside it

A few habits mean fewer full washes:

  • Keep a spare slipcover so one is always clean while the other is in the wash. You can pick up a spare Boppy slipcover for a few dollars.
  • Lay a burp cloth or muslin over the pillow during feeds.
  • Spot-clean spills as they happen, before they soak into the fill.

Do you have to wash it before first use?

It is not required, but many parents like to. A quick wash removes any manufacturing residue and gives you a clean start. If you do, follow the same steps above.

What is a Boppy pillow made of?

Most Boppy pillows have a polyester fiber fill with a cotton-blend cover. That is good news for cleaning: polyester fill handles machine washing well, and a cotton-blend cover launders easily.

If you assumed it was all cotton, you are not alone, but the fill is synthetic. Our polyester vs cotton pillow guide explains how each behaves.

One safety note

A Boppy and other nursing pillows are made for supervised use only: feeding, propping, and tummy time.

They are not meant for a baby to sleep on. Keep infant sleep on a firm, flat, empty surface, and use the pillow only while you are watching.

The bottom line

Yes, you can wash a Boppy pillow, cover and all. Wash the cover often, wash the pillow when it needs it, and dry both completely before they go back into use.

A spare cover makes the whole routine easier, and if yours is past saving, a new Boppy nursing pillow is inexpensive. For drying tips that apply to any pillow, see our guide on how to dry pillows.

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