If you are wondering how to clean a couch pillow, then today is your lucky day!
We love our brightly colored couch pillows, but we also need to keep them clean. Couch pillows are popular accents in living rooms and bedrooms, but how often should you wash them? It depends on the kind of pillow you have. Some couch pillows are machine-washable, while others need to be washed by hand.
Pillows made with washable materials can be machine-washed or hand washed. Those made with delicate fabrics such as wool and silk must be dry-cleaned. Knowing how to clean these pillows is essential to maintain their shape, style, and color.
How to Clean a Couch Pillow
Before you do anything, read the pillow’s care label first. Your couch pillows may require spot cleaning, dry cleaning, or handwashing. If the care label doesn’t indicate how to clean the pillows, then you just need to find out what kind of fabric it is made of.
Velvets and silks usually need to be cleaned with dry cleaning fluid, while other materials like polyester and cotton can benefit from gentle washing with plain water. If these methods are not applicable to your pillows, then you can try the following tips.
Spot test
You can conduct a spot test on the pillow. Get a clean towel and a cleaning solution that is suitable for the fabric you’re cleaning. Then, blot the towel against the pillow, and keep it there for thirty seconds.
Inspect the towel for color transfer. Let the pillow dry, and then check again for discoloration or fading.
Sponge cleaning
Couch pillows that are not machine-washable can benefit from sponge cleaning. You just need to use a sponge and an upholstery shampoo to remove stains. Work the shampoo into the pillow in a circular motion.
Pay special attention to the crevices and piping of the pillow. Blot any excess shampoo and moisture with a clean white towel. If the pillows are made from solid foam, then you can’t just toss them in the washing machine.
You need to remove the cover and then place the foam in a bathtub or sink filled with mild detergent and warm water. Press down on your pillows repeatedly to flush out dust and dirt. Drain the soapy water, then press down on your pillows to remove excess water.
Refill the sink with clean water and soak the pillows for ten minutes. You may need to do this several times to make sure that the pillow is really clean. Once you’re done soaking the pillow, press down on it to remove excess water and let it air dry.
You can also sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the pillow to absorb any foul odors. Leave it outside for a few hours and use the vacuum’s upholstery attachment to remove the baking soda.
Dry cleaning
For pillows that need dry cleaning, you can use a clean sponge and dry-cleaning solution to clean the fabric. Once you’re done cleaning the pillow, blot it with a white towel to remove excess moisture.
Washing Machine
Remove the pillowcase, sham, or cover from your throw pillows because they’re going to be washed separately from your actual pillows. Pretreat any pillow stains by using a gentle cleaning solution before putting them into the washing machine.
A washing machine without an agitator is the best for cleaning pillow inserts. Choose delicate cycle and use warm water and mild detergent. If you need to use a machine with an agitator, balance the load by placing a pillow on each side and be sure to choose the gentlest cycle.
After washing, hang them outside to dry but not completely dry. Once they’re about 75% dry, you can fluff your couch pillows in the dryer and use the “no heat” setting. Toss a few dryer balls to help maintain the shape of the pillows and to make them good as new.
How Often Should You Wash Your Couch Pillows?
Now that you know the different ways on how to clean a couch pillow, the next step is to know how often you should clean them. The answer to this important question depends on whether your pillow has a removable cover or not.
Pillowcases should be cleaned more often; every two to four weeks is a good rule of thumb, but it really depends on how often you use your pillows. The actual pillow should be cleaned at least every two months.
If the cover can’t be removed, make sure to wash your couch pillows every month, depending on how dirty they get.
Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Couch Pillow
Now that you know how to clean a couch pillow, it won’t be too difficult for you to keep your pillows in great shape. Vacuuming or dusting your couch pillows regularly will keep them clean for a long time. Using pillow covers in matching colors will also make it easier to clean them.
If you have hard-to-clean couch pillows, then you should keep them above ground or in areas where people’s feet or animals will not soil them often. That way, you won’t have to clean your couch pillows too often.