While living in the college dorm, you may already be aware of the need to wash your sheets once every week or every two weeks.  When washing your bedding, your pillowcases get thrown into the mix.  But have you ever considered the need to wash the pillows themselves?  You may be wondering why this would be necessary, and there are hundreds of responses to this in the form of dust mites and bacteria that tend to collect in the crevices of your pillow, unseen. This can cause extreme allergic reactions and even asthma.  In addition to dust mites, dead skin cells and bacteria can also get trapped in your pillows and contribute to acne.  Living in a dorm increases the risk of bacteria and dust mites collecting in your pillows as a result of a small, shared space and old buildings.  You have the option to replace your pillows every few months or so, but that can get expensive.  But don’t worry, washing your pillows is quite simple, and you can use the washing machine in your own dorm building.

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1. Washing Pillows

Before you wash your pillow, double check the label to be sure that it is safe for washing.  Most pillows are safe to go into the washing machine, whether down or synthetic.  If your pillows have covers on them, be sure to remove the covers.  You can throw them in the washing machine with your pillows.Allow the washer to fill with hot water first, and add detergent as it fills.  You will want to set your washing machine to the longest cycle.  Once the washing machine is filled and the detergent is fully dissolved, it is time to add your pillows.  If you have a front-loading washing machine, you will not be able to do your soaking here.  Soaking your pillows in the sink or tub will suffice, and then you can transfer them to the washing machine.  Keep in mind that you may not have access to a tub in your dorm, however most laundry rooms found in dorm buildings have top-loading washing machines.Wash two pillows at the same time to keep an even balance in the washing machine. Be sure not to wash more than three pillows at once to ensure they get a thorough cleaning.  After soaking your pillows, run the full cycle, allowing for two rinse cycles to ensure no detergent remains.

2. Drying Pillows

Drying your pillows is simple – just throw them in the dryer!  You will want to throw in some dryer balls or even clean tennis balls along with your pillows and pillow covers.  This will fluff your pillows and help them dry as thoroughly as possible.  For pillows made with synthetic stuffing, you can set the dryer to low heat.  For down or feather pillows, use the tumble dry, no heat setting.  Once your pillows are dry, they should be fresh, fluffy and clean.  Replace the pillowcases and enjoy.  This cleaning should be sufficient for several months.  It is recommended that you repeat this process about every six months or so.Image 1