How to wash IKEA pillows in a washing machine?

Pillows are used daily – while sleeping, napping, and watching TV in the evening. Even though they're covered with pillowcases, this doesn't protect them from stains. Therefore, it's important to wash them regularly. Let's look at how to do this properly and how often to clean them.

Preparing the pillow

Machine washable IKEA pillows are allowed. Before loading the product into the drum, shake it out to remove any dust that has accumulated inside. To prevent the stuffing from coming out during the washing machine cycle, it's best to purchase special laundry bags. If you don't want to spend money on covers, you can pull a clean pillowcase over your bedding and then throw it in the washing machine.

It's recommended to remove removable pillowcases before washing. If the pillowcase is filled with down or feathers, remove the filling from the pillowcase, place it in special bags, and wash it in batches. This will ensure maximum cleaning and quick drying. This will prevent the feather filling from bunching up and allow it to be evenly distributed throughout the pillow.

Automatic washing process

IKEA pillow washing instructions are available on the company's website. So, you can visit the store's website, select the item you're interested in, and read the care instructions. For example, the manufacturer recommends machine washing the Hampdon pillow on a delicate cycle at 60°C. You can also tumble dry it. If you're worried about ruining your favorite bedding, feel free to find it in the catalog and read the cleaning instructions.

Regardless of the pillow filling, it is recommended to wash it on a delicate or hand wash cycle; the “Down Items” program is also acceptable.

Make sure the spin cycle is set to low speed. High spin speeds can cause the pillow filling to bunch up, causing the item to lose its shape. For machine washing, we recommend using gels and liquid detergents—they dissolve completely in water and are easier to rinse out of the fabric fibers. It's a good idea to add a few special balls to the machine along with the item. These balls will fluff the filling during the process, preventing it from clumping.

Pillows filled with down or feather should be washed at a temperature of up to 40°C, and wool at a temperature of up to 30°C. Items filled with bamboo, synthetic padding, and polystyrene foam can withstand temperatures of up to 40°C, while hollow fiber can be machine washed at a temperature of up to 80°C.

Washing frequency

Pillows should be cleaned regularly; this will not only increase their service life, but will also have a positive effect on human health. The frequency of washing depends on the filling and its properties. Various materials are used as filler: from the usual synthetic padding, down, feather, holofiber, to buckwheat husk, camel wool, bamboo fiber.

Recommended cleaning frequency:

• feather and down pillows – once every 3 or 6 months;
• stuffed with bamboo fiber - as they get dirty or every 3 months (dust mites do not live in them - this is an important advantage of bamboo);
• products with polystyrene foam – once every 2 months;
• Synthetic filler – no more than 3 times a year. It's best to change this type of pillow every six months;
• with buckwheat husks or herbs - every six months.

Pillows stuffed with organic material (buckwheat husks or dried herbs) must be ripped open and the filling shaken out before washing. Only the cover needs to be cleaned in the washing machine. Afterward, the item is "assembled" back together.

   

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