How to Dry Pillows? What is the Best Way?
For a good night’s sleep, you need a comfortable bed and clean bedding. But how do you dry your pillow after washing it?
Eventually, pillows become dirty, and you need clean them. Cleaning your cushions can be easy, but drying them can be challenging. However, don’t worry anymore, as this article will provide various ways to dry your pillows.
Dry your pillow thoroughly. A thoroughly dried pillow stays better and does not accumulate dust mites or mold.
Why Do You Need to Dry Pillows
Moisture is bad for pillows. A damp cushion can accumulate dust mites or mold.
An essential part of washing the pillows is drying them.
You need to dry them as soon as you complete washing to avoid bad smells in your room.
Of course, you shouldn’t sleep on a damp pillow. You can catch a cold, among other health problems.
How to Dry Your Pillow
Most pillows can be tumble-dried. This method should be used if the care tag allows it.
Otherwise, after washing, SHAPE the pillow when it is wet and fluff it back to its original shape.
At this point, make sure that the FILLING is evenly distributed.
Put your pillow in an airy place, such as a laundry rack.
FLUFF the pillow during drying. Continue drying until the pillow is completely dry.
Ensure the pillow is completely dry BEFORE putting it back inside the pillowcase.
How to Dry Special Materials and Sizes?
Many different materials are used for pillows today, and not all of them can always be machine washed.
Therefore, always check the care tag before washing.
Not all materials are even recommended for washing.
For these, regular thorough ventilation alone is sufficient. The purpose of ventilation is to remove the moisture accumulated inside the pillow.
Most feather pillows are recommended to be washed only in the laundry. Some of these can also be washed at home in the washing machine.
In this case, the general instructions apply: a gentle washing program, a little gentle detergent, and thorough drying.
In addition, some pillows are so big that they cannot be washed or dried in a machine (such as the husband pillow, which you must air-dry after hand-washing).
Special-purpose pillows also need to be washed and dried more often than not. For example, a Boppy Pillow needs cleaning almost daily (designed to support babies when fed).
How Often Should Pillows Be Changed
The pillows are recommended to be changed every 2-4 years, depending on the material and quality.
However, the life of the cushion can be extended with thorough maintenance.
It is time to get rid of the old pillow when it has lost its elasticity and no longer returns to its original shape. Or when the pillow has turned yellow.
Best Ways of Drying Pillows
Let’s take a closer look at different methods. You can dry your cushions using a drying machine, or drying outdoors or indoors.
Drying machine
Obviously, this is the fastest way to dry a pillow.
When using a dryer to dry your pillow, note that there are guidelines from the manufacturer to follow. Not all cushions are allowed to be dried using a drying machine.
You can dry the pillows in the dryer with two or three tennis balls or drying balls .
The balls distribute the filling EVENLY during drying, making the cushions airy and plush.
Also, ensure that the dryer is large enough and that the pad can move freely there for best results.
You can take the pillow from the dryer about every 15 minutes and shake it. This prevents the filling from CLUMPING together and creating marks due to the heat of the drum.
When the pillow is dry, you can complete the drying in fresh outdoor air or a tumble dry set to cool to evenly distribute filling (the feathers and down).
Drying Outdoors
Avoid exposing the pillow to direct sunlight when it is being dried outdoors to prevent damaging the surface materials.
An airy place, such as a laundry rack and a lot of fluffing, would do the trick, but slowly.
This method is perfect on dry and windy days. However, it is more time-consuming than using a drying machine.
The disadvantage of this method is that some colors may be bleached by the direct sun.
Drying Indoors
Pillows can also be dried indoors. You just place the wet pillow in a ventilated space on a laundry rack.
Make sure nothing else in the room gets wet!
Also, keep rotating the pillow or changing the position from time to time to allow uniform drying. It will take a longer time to dry with this method.
Importance of Washing Pillows
Washing your pillows at regular intervals helps you avoid the contamination of bacteria. When you clean them, they obtain a pleasing scent, enabling you to sleep comfortably.
Though your pillow has a pillowcase, it is NOT enough to wash the pillowcase alone. The germs have the capability of penetrating through the pillowcase to the cushion. And this is the reason why it is advisable to wash the pillow also.
It’s good to note that different types of pillows are washed and dried in different ways. So check the care tag before tossing the pad on the washing machine!
Benefits of Drying Pillows
1. It prevents foul smell, enhancing a comfortable sleep since the pillow’s scent is conducive.
2. Saves you from catching cold and other respiratory diseases by sleeping on a wet pillow.
3. The pillows retain their color with no stains because when dried, the fungi plants have no habitat in the dry pads.
The Bottom Line
Washing and drying pillows should be taken seriously.
When drying them, you should ensure they are completely dried. This will help kill bacteria and dust mites. It will also make sleeping more comfortable.
If you want to ensure the pillow is completely dry, weigh it before washing. Weigh it again after washing and drying. Continue drying if the pillow is heavier than before washing.
