How to Wash And Dry a Polyester Pillow: Step by Step Guide

This post is a part of the complete polyester pillow buyers guide

Many things are important in the everyday life of humans and pillows are one of them. Whether or not you have a romantic partner, pillows are designed to be the bedroom company that makes everything comfortable and nice for you.

Considering how important they are, and how frequently pillows are used, they should be properly maintained and cleaned properly.

Regardless of the type of pillow it is, every pillow deserves to be thoroughly cleaned including the polyester pillow which will be discussed in detail in this article. 

What Are Polyester Pillows?

Polyester pillows are made from polyester. Polyester is a thermoplastic material, which means it can be melted and reshaped.

Chemical engineers dissolve polyester pellets and press them through little holes to make polyester (spinnerets). The continuous filaments of what we know as polyester fibers harden on the spinnerets’ exit side. The fibers’ form and diameter are then determined by the size and shape of the hole.

Polyester is referred to as the man-made fiber which is the closest thing to nature’s cotton hence, the frequent comparison between polyester and cotton pillows. However, there are some differences between the two as there are certain characteristics that are peculiar to the polyester pillow. 

One of the very obvious edges that polyester has over other types of pillows is its cheapest and this helps to explain its popularity.

As a pillow that weighs less than 3 pounds, polyester pillows are very lightweight.  A polyester cushion is ideal for anybody looking for a lightweight, cuddly pillow. Polyester is a low-density material that is easy to work with. Also, they are very soft and give 100% comfort because of their similarities with cotton.

A polyester pillow folds nicely and can be customized to almost any sleep position by altering the stuffing. It’s great for cushioning painful regions because it’s so fluffy.

The only con there seems to be when it comes to polyester pillows is that they can get very lumpy especially when they are not properly washed and dried. This is why this article is very important for those who have polyester pillows and those who intend to buy them.

How To Wash Your Polyester Pillow: Step by step

Washing your polyester pillow is not the herculean task you assume it will be. It can be pretty straightforward as I will show you.

Things you need:

Depending on you and your home, you can use different tools to wash your polyester pillows. However, the following are generally recommended by beddings experts as the tools one should use in cleaning pillows;

• A washer
• Low-suds detergent
• Soft brush
• Stain remover
• Clean tennis balls

When you have these things ready, you may now proceed to the steps you should follow while cleaning your polyester pillow. Here they are:

Step 1: Tackle Stains First

When you discover a stain on one of your beloved polyester pillows, you don’t have to dispose of the pillow because there are several solutions for removing stains.

Depending on the type of stain it is, you can do the following; first, if you have a wet stain that happened under your watch you can blot it with a clean cloth immediately. On the other hand, if you have a dried stain, you can use a hard bristle brush to scrub the surface to get the stains out before proceeding to pretreat the stain. 

When attempting to pretreat the stains, examine the stain to see what’s causing it. For oil-based stains, dampen a clean cloth with liquid laundry detergent or a pretreatment solution and dab the spot repeatedly. This procedure may also be used to remove lipstick or crayon stains. To remove wine, felt-tipped pen, or ink stains, use pure vinegar. To remove blood or chocolate stains, mix 1 part ammonia with 1 part water and dab the spot.

After this, warm water and some liquid laundry detergent should be added to a laundry room, big sink, or wherever you want to wash the pillow. Then place the entire pillow in the warm water after the treatment has been on the stain for around 15 minutes. Push it beneath the water’s surface until all of the air bubbles have dissipated and the pillow remains submerged. Remove the pillow from the water and use a towel and a little laundry detergent to massage the stain out. 

Proceed to squeeze excess water out of the pillow and check the stain. If it is not gone, you can apply some diluted bleach to the surface then rinse the pillow in clean water. When you are done, rinse the bleach and soap off the water completely. 

Step 2: Set The Washer

Once you have successfully combated the stains on your polyester pillow, you may now move on to wash the pillow in its entirety. This entails punching the right buttons on the washer and setting the laundry right.

Polyester pillows can be cleaned with washing machines but this has to be done by following certain instructions. The guide on how to properly set the washer to wash polyester pillows is often attached to the pillow as a part of the tag.

If you can still find it, you can easily look at it and follow the steps. If not, here are some of the widely accepted steps; the first thing experts advise is that you turn the washing machine set to a gentle cycle then add warm water.

If the type of pillow you are using has a top loader washer with a center agitator you will have to put in two pillows at once to create balance. After this is completed, you will run an extra rinse cycle to remove the detergent and keep the pillow clean. 

Step 3: Use The Best Drying Techniques

There are two ways through which you can dry your polyester pillow; by the dryer or under the natural light of the sun.

To wash under the dryer, ensure that no soapy residue remains in the polyester pillow. Once this is checked, fluff the pillow to evenly spread the stuffing before tossing it in the dryer.

The dryer setting should be placed at low or medium heat to prevent the polyester pillow from burning. You are also required to stop the dryer every fifteen minutes to re-fluff the pillow as it dries. To assist pound the clumps, add some tennis balls, it works like magic.

You may also finish drying the cushion by placing it outside or in a well-ventilated area. The key line is that the cushion must dry completely to avoid clumping and mold development. You may even fluff your pillow by punching and massaging it to regain its shape.

Maintaining The Cleanliness Of The Polyester Pillow After Wash

Cleaning your polyester pillow does not just end at the washer and dryer, it extends to the things you do after washing it. To ensure that your polyester pillow is thoroughly cleaned and stays that way, you must follow the following steps. 

Step 1: Be more intentional about the storage

Most times when our pillows are not in use, we tend to leave them lying carelessly. This makes it possible for them to get stained and accumulate dirt and dust.

When not in use, it is advisable to place your polyester pillow in a cotton bag or any other breathable container. To keep the cushion fresh, you may also add some wool dryer balls. Polyester has the advantage of not easily attracting insects and mildew, but it’s still better to store it somewhere aired and dry.

Step 2: Pay attention to repairs

We use our pillows every night and this means that they won’t remain as intact as they were when they were first purchased.

Once the ends of a pillow have started losing and some parts tear open, it is high time you sew it. The seam should be checked first since damaged pillows might lose their filling and loft.

Simply sewing the pillow with needles and thread should take care of the tears right away, but you may also use fabric glue.

Step 3: Stay generally hygienic

Being generally hygienic will help you maintain its cleanliness and extend the pillows’ durability. 

Using bedding accessories such as pillowcases and pillow covers can help you to keep your polyester pillow clean. For instance, the oils, perspiration, and other liquids that build on the pillow will be kept at bay by using a cover. Also, asides from that you can vacuum off your polyester pillow and refresh it with baking soda. This will get rid of odors as well as any microscopic particles on the cushion.

Finally, on days when the sun is high up in the sky and hot, aerate your pillow outside.

How Often Should I Wash my Polyester Pillow?

As regards to the question of how often you should wash your polyester pillow, the answer is that there are no general rules and it all depends on the circumstances and use.

So, for instance, if you use your polyester pillow every day, experts advise that you should wash your polyester pillow at least three times in one month. However, if you have peculiar situations where the pillow gets stained, you should wash it off immediately.