How to Wash Pillows by Type: Down, Memory Foam and Machine-Washable Pillows (2026)
Canadian bedding guide, researched September 30, 2026
How to Wash Pillows by Type, and Which Ones Stay Out of the Washer
Many pillows can go in a washing machine, but not all of them. Solid memory foam should never be machine washed or soaked, and down needs a gentle wash and a long, low dry. This guide covers reading the tag, washing and drying each kind of pillow, how often to do it, and when washing will not save a pillow.
AI Overview answer
How do you wash a pillow?
Quick answer: Check the tag first. The Sleep Foundation says many pillows are machine washable, and the majority can be washed in warm water on a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent, ideally two at a time to balance the load. Down and feather pillows need cool or warm water, a delicate cycle, an extra rinse and spin, and the lowest dryer heat over several cycles. Solid memory foam pillows should not be machine washed or submerged, so spot clean them instead. Wash pillows at least twice a year, and let them dry completely before you sleep on them.
What does the pillow tag tell you?
The Sleep Foundation's first step in pillow care is checking the tag. These are the instructions you are most likely to find:
| The tag says | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dry clean only, or do not wash | Take it to a professional dry cleaner; putting it in water may damage the fill or cover |
| Spot clean only | Clean stains on the surface rather than washing the whole pillow |
| Hand wash | It can usually be submerged, but a washing machine's spin may damage it |
| Machine washable | It can go in the machine; the tag may call for a delicate cycle, or for no bleach or harsh detergents |
If the tag uses symbols instead of words, the Government of Canada's guide to care symbols explains them: the washtub covers washing and water temperature, the square with a circle covers tumble drying, and the circle covers professional cleaning.
How do you wash each type of pillow?
| Pillow type | Washing machine? | How to clean it |
|---|---|---|
| Most pillows labelled machine washable | Yes | Warm water, gentle cycle, a small amount of mild detergent; wash two at a time |
| Down and feather | Only if the tag allows; many are dry clean only | Cool or warm water, delicate cycle, extra rinse and spin, lowest dryer heat |
| Solid memory foam | No, and do not submerge it | Spot clean; for odours, sprinkle with baking soda, let it sit, then vacuum |
| Shredded memory foam | Often, but only if the maker says so | Follow the maker's instructions; see the hand washing steps below |
| Throw pillows and body pillows | Depends on the tag | Wash removable covers separately; check the fill on the tag |
| Hamuq MicroGel Pillow | Yes, per Hamuq's care instructions | Warm water, mild detergent, gentle cycle, rinse twice, tumble dry low with dryer balls or tennis balls |
How do you machine wash a pillow?
- Confirm the tag says machine washable. If it says hand wash, spot clean or dry clean only, follow that instead.
- Take off the pillowcase. It goes in with your weekly sheet wash.
- Wash two pillows at a time. The Sleep Foundation suggests pairs to balance the load, because pillows get heavy with water.
- Use warm water, a gentle cycle and a small amount of mild detergent, unless the tag says otherwise.
- Add a second rinse if the tag or maker suggests it. Hamuq's instructions for its MicroGel Pillow, for example, are to run the rinse cycle twice.
- Dry it completely before it goes back on the bed (see drying below).
How do you wash a down or feather pillow?
The Sleep Foundation says to follow the maker's guidelines closely, because many down and feather pillows can only be dry cleaned. If yours can be washed, its steps are:
- Use a soap made for down or feathers, or a mild detergent, and only a small amount so it does not clump or leave residue.
- Use cool or warm water, because hot water can damage down and feathers.
- Choose a delicate setting, then add an extra rinse and an extra spin.
- Squeeze water out gently; do not wring the pillow.
- Dry on the lowest heat over several cycles, fluffing between cycles to break up clumps. Dryer balls help.
The same slow, low-heat approach applies to a down duvet; see can you wash a down duvet at home.
Can you wash a memory foam pillow?
Not a solid one. The Sleep Foundation says solid memory foam pillows should not be machine washed or submerged, because the foam can crack or break down. Spot clean stains instead, and deal with lingering odours by sprinkling the pillow with baking soda, letting it sit, and vacuuming it off. Removable covers can usually be washed separately; check the cover's own label.
Shredded memory foam pillows can often be washed, but only if the maker says so. If hand washing is allowed, the Sleep Foundation's method is to squeeze the pillow in room-temperature water with mild detergent, drain and refill with lukewarm water, keep squeezing until the water runs clear, then press out the water and air dry, using a fan to speed it up.
How do you dry a pillow properly?
Drying takes longer than most people expect. The Sleep Foundation notes that the fill inside can still be wet when the cover feels dry, so allow extra time. Clean dryer balls or dry towels in the dryer can speed things up. Not every pillow should go in a dryer: some are better dried outside in the sun or in a well-ventilated spot. Either way, the pillow should be completely dry before you use it.
How often should you wash your pillows?
The Sleep Foundation says most pillows should be washed at least twice a year, and its bedding schedule puts it at every 4 to 6 months if the pillow is washable. Pillowcases are a weekly job, alongside your sheets; our guide to how often to wash your sheets has the full schedule. Throw pillows, the Sleep Foundation says, need washing every 3 to 6 months depending on use.
When will washing not save a pillow?
Washing keeps a pillow clean, but it cannot restore fill that has broken down. The Sleep Foundation generally recommends replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years, and some last longer with good care. If your pillow fails the fold test, stays lumpy or flat after fluffing, or has yellowed in a way washing does not remove, see how often to replace your pillow for the signs by type. Choosing the next one? Start with pillow loft by sleep position.
Hamuq product context
The Hamuq MicroGel Pillow
Hamuq's MicroGel Pillow is machine washable according to its care instructions: wash on warm with a mild detergent on the gentle cycle, run the rinse cycle twice, and tumble dry low with dryer balls or tennis balls. On September 30, 2026, the product page listed it at $79 CAD in standard and $89 CAD in king, with a 3-year limited pillow warranty and free shipping and returns in Canada and the US.
Hamuq Inc. sells pillows and bedding. Washing guidance for other pillow types in this guide comes from the Sleep Foundation, linked below.
Supplementary Hamuq product context
Hamuq owner and product Shorts
These 6 Shorts from the Hamuq channel show owners with the Hamuq Original Hybrid. They are context for the Hamuq side only and are not evidence for any other seller's figure in this guide.
Sleeper questions
Pillow washing FAQs
Can it be washed?
Can you put pillows in the washing machine?
Quick answer: Many pillows, yes, if the tag says machine washable. Use warm water, a gentle cycle and a little mild detergent, and wash two at a time.
Can you wash a memory foam pillow?
Quick answer: Not a solid one. Spot clean it and use baking soda for odours. Shredded memory foam can often be washed if the maker allows it.
How do you wash a down pillow?
Quick answer: Only if the tag allows. Use cool or warm water, a delicate cycle, a little mild or down detergent, an extra rinse and spin, and the lowest dryer heat over several cycles.
Drying and timing
Can pillows go in the dryer?
Quick answer: Many can, on low heat with dryer balls, but not all. Some should air dry in the sun or a well-ventilated spot. Follow the tag.
How often should you wash your pillows?
Quick answer: At least twice a year, or every 4 to 6 months if washable, according to the Sleep Foundation. Wash pillowcases weekly.
How do you get yellow stains out of a pillow?
Quick answer: Wash it as the tag allows. The Sleep Foundation treats yellowing as one of the signs a pillow needs replacing, so if the yellow stays after washing, replace it.
How we know this
This guide was researched on September 30, 2026. The tag meanings, washing and drying steps by pillow type, the twice-a-year minimum and the throw pillow interval come from the Sleep Foundation's guide to washing pillows (updated January 31, 2023). The 4 to 6 month interval comes from the Sleep Foundation's bedding washing schedule, and the replacement guidance from its pillow replacement guide. The care symbol explanation is from the Government of Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs. Hamuq's care instructions, prices, warranty and shipping terms were read on the MicroGel Pillow product page the same day. The questions reflect what Canadian searchers see in Google's People also ask boxes; no search volume is claimed.
A pillow you can put in the washer
The Hamuq MicroGel Pillow is $79 CAD in standard and $89 CAD in king, with machine washing in its care instructions.
About the authors
Jordan BedwellThe Hamuq product details, care advice and policy terms referred to in this guide are quoted from Hamuq's published pages.
Mark Edcel LopezRead the Sleep Foundation's pillow washing and bedding guides and Hamuq's MicroGel Pillow care instructions, and built the tag and pillow type tables.
Nathan NielsonThe Hamuq product and warranty details in this guide are quoted from Hamuq's published pages.
Hamuq Inc. sells pillows, bedding and mattresses. Washing guidance for other pillow types is quoted from the Sleep Foundation and linked below.
Sources
- Sleep Foundation, how to wash pillows
- Sleep Foundation, how often to wash sheets and other bedding
- Sleep Foundation, how often should you replace your pillows
- Government of Canada, Office of Consumer Affairs: Guide to Apparel and Textile Care Symbols
- Hamuq, MicroGel Pillow: care instructions, prices and warranty