How to Wash Throw Pillows

Throw pillows add a touch of contrast to a couch, bed or chair. They are perfect for using as a headrest when you lay down on the couch or as an arm rest for extra warmth while watching television. Whatever their use, after a period of time, they need to be washed to get back that fresh smell.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Unzip the cover on the throw pillow and remove the outside from the inner stuffing. If you do not have a zipper, take out a few inches of stitches so that you can remove the outer cover. If you choose to leave the cover on, it makes it much harder to dry and the pillow may end up loosing its shape.

2. Zip the outer cover closed and wash in a washing machine under a delicate cycle with like-colored clothes, preferably in cold water. Regular detergent should be fine, as well as any rinses that you normally use.

3. Remove the washed cover from the washing machine and stretch out to its original shape and line dry. There is a possibility that the heat of the dryer might shrink the pillow cover and you would not be able to use it again. You can hang it outside if you have a clothes line or inside on a clothes hanger--both will work just fine.

4. Open the zippered or non-zippered cover and carefully reinsert the stuffing into the pillow case. Square up the corners by positioning the stuffing so that it sits evenly in the cover. Zipper it shut or use a few slip stitches to close the opening you made.

Tips & Warnings

• While the cover is being washed, hang the inner stuffing outside to air out.