How to Wash Couch Pillows

Couch pillows can be the hardest type of pillows to keep clean. We lean against them, lay our heads on them, and sometimes just look at them. Meanwhile, they become filled with dustmites and allergons.

The only way to kill dustmites and allergons is to freeze them or scold them, so let's get washing those couch pillows!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Washing Machine
• Hot water
• Large Pillow Case
• Mild Detergent
• 2-3 Tennis balls

1. 
    
   Soiled Couch Pillow

   For day to day spoiling, try using a damp cloth and blotting the soiled spot from the fabric of your couch pillow.
   
   If this doesn't work, proceed with washing.

2. 
    
   Couch Pillow Fabric

   For pillows made from fabrics such as: brocade, velvet, jacquard, or suede, check the care tag of the pillow. If it says "DRY CLEAN ONLY" skip the rest of this article and head to the dry cleaners.
   
   For all other fabrics, keep reading.

3. 
    
   Pillows in washing machine

   If your pillows are small enough you can place them in your washing machine. Turn your water to hot/cold (wash/rinse). Use a mild detergent and place 2 or 3 tennis balls in with the pillows.
   
   Make sure you place your pillows around the wash tub of the washing machine evenly. You don't want to hear that horrible sound of your machine thumping because it's unbalanced. It's not good for your machine, your pillows, or you having to listen to it.

4. 
    
   Couch Pillow

   For pillows that have fancy stitching, use a large pillow case to place your couch pillow inside before placing in the wash machine. Tie a knot at the end of the case. This will protect the stitching from being rubbed and torn lose on your pillow.

5. 
    
   Couch Pillowcases

   Couch pillows, whose cases are removable are best washed without the pillow form inside. You can throw the case in the washing machine with like fabrics and toss in the dryer (along with your tennis balls).

6. 
    
   Hand Wash

   For thin fabrics such as crepe, polyester, or satin you may find it necessary to fill your bath tub and soak your couch pillows in a gentle detergent. Hand wash, focusing on the center areas and corners of pillows where they are most likely the dirtiest. Squeeze pillows to drain as much water and hang or lay out in the sun to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• It is recommended you replace your pillows every six months. If replacing them isn't an option, wash in hot water or stick in a freezer to kill dust mites and other allergens in your home.
• For pets, after washing if hair is still visible on couch pillows, take a piece of masking tape and wrap around backwards on the palm of your hand (sticky side up) and blot hand on pillow to pick up hairs when pillow is dry.
• Placing 2 or 3 tennis balls in with your couch pillows while washing or drying helps keep the stuffing moving around and the shape of your pillow when your done.
• Use your best judgement when washing couch pillows, even the best made pillow can fall apart in the washing machine, although the tag may tell you it's okay to washing them using this method.

[rwhite-writer]

on 8/3/2009 I've used the washing machine and hand cleaning tricks, but I'd never considered the freezer! Thanks for posting an informative article. 5*

[annvans]

on 7/25/2009 Thanks for the great tips on how to wash couch pillows, I wish I would have found this info a day or two earlier when I needed it.