If you’re curious about how to clean a throw pillow, you only need to undergo two procedures. While it’s true that we consider throw pillows as decorative pillows, it’s still crucial that we maintain them properly. Keeping our throw pillows clean will help them last longer and look good as new, ideal for decorating a room.
Much like cleaning body pillows and other bed pillows, a deep cleaning method for throw pillows uses a machine. However, you want to understand the dos and don’ts using a washer to avoid damaging your throw pillow. Please continue reading below and get started with giving your throw pillows their much-needed bath.
How To Clean A Throw Pillow In The Washing Machine
Step #1. Preparation
Check
Before anything else, you want to check your throw pillow for washing instructions. The tag should have the manufacturer’s recommendations that you must follow to ensure that you won’t damage the throw pillow accidentally. Remember that throw pillows use various materials, and some might be incompatible with the washer.
Pre-treat
Once you checked the pillow tag, remove all the covers, including the pillowcase and sham. These materials may have separate cleaning instructions than the pillow. Once you have the throw pillow insert, check for any stains and pre-treat them with a mild stain remover.
Load
Dab the stains with a sponge and let the solution sit for 15 minutes, depending on the label. Once done, you can opt to place the throw pillow in a laundry bag before putting it in the machine. Some throw pillow manufacturers would even recommend washing multiple pillows or adding towels to accompany your throw pillow in the machine.
Step #2. Washing and drying
Wash
The best washing machine for throw pillows is something with no agitator, preferably a front-loading one. Then, select the most gentle cycle and use warm water and mild detergent. Never use bleach or any harsh chemicals as they might deform the throw pillow.
Dry
If your washing machine has an agitator, follow the tip earlier of washing multiple pillows. This way, you’re balancing the load in addition to selecting the most delicate cycle. After washing, air-dry your throw pillow outside or anywhere ventilated.
Fluff
Once your pillow is around 75% dry, you can finish it in the dryer under a no-heat or tumble-dry setting. Add some tennis balls inside to bounce onto the pillow as well, and let them be until the throw pillow is dried thoroughly. The heater and the tennis balls will fluff and restore the throw pillow to its form and prevent clumping.
Complete Guide For Cleaning Throw Pillows Safely
Odor removal
Remember that not all throw pillows are meant to go in the washer or even get cleaned with water, such as silk, suede, wool, and leather. You can keep them clean by using a cover that you’ll wash instead and then replace now and then. If you can’t use the washing machine and the material got dirty, you can also vacuum it to remove dust and other build-ups.
A useful tip to freshen any pillow is to pour some baking soda and let it sit on the surface. Then, vacuum it off to also remove other particles and aerate the pillow outside. This will eliminate odors without needing to wash the pillow.
Dry cleaning
Some throw pillows may indicate that they can only be dry cleaned. For these products, use a sponge dipped in the solution and wipe the pillow in a circular motion. Then, blot the pillow with a towel to soak the moisture before air-drying it.
Spills and stains
For spills that would require soap to remove, use a sponge or towel to soak the excess liquid and keep it from seeping through the throw pillow. Then, soak a sponge in water and gentle soap for dabbing the stain. Wipe the affected area in a circular motion and use a separate moist cloth to remove the soapy residue before drying the pillow with a hair-dryer or outdoors.
Foam inserts
What about throw pillow foam inserts? You can assume that foam materials are not meant to go in the washing machine. Instead, soak them in a sink with warm water and mild detergent to clean thoroughly.
Rinse in another sink of water without wringing, and then air-dry the inserts before use.
Throw pillow covers
Cleaning throw pillow covers are no different than cleaning the pillows themselves. This means you have to follow the label instructions if you must wash the material by hand, machine, or if it requires dry-cleaning. For machine washing, only select the delicate cycle and follow the detergent and water recommendations.
Afterward, hang the covers outside to dry completely or place them in the dryer if the manufacturer allows. Some brands may even recommend ironing the throw pillow cover.
Conclusion
While we don’t use our throw pillows as often as bed pillows, keeping them clean is still a must to help them last longer. Learning how to clean a throw pillow is as easy as checking the label for manufacturer instructions and washing it accordingly. Start by removing all the covers for cleaning separately.
Then, pre-treat the stains if there are any, and place your pillow in the most delicate cycle of the washer. Never use harsh chemicals and always keep the load balanced. Finally, air-dry your throw pillow and fluff it in the dryer with tennis balls.