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Can You Wash Pillows, Or Am I Just Kidding Myself?

Its time for some serious pillow talk: That pillowthe one on which you rest your head every night, the one you hug like your S.O. when they're out of town, the one you basically can't live withoutis actually the perfect cuddly environment for all kinds of not-so-snuggly things. I kid you not. Even if you clean your pillowcase regularly, you can and SHOULD wash your pillows.

Why You Really Need To Wash Your Pillows Regularly

You see, while youre off in dreamland, your pillow is busy collecting dead skin cells, sweat, and dust mites, as well as other bacteria and allergens . So much so that, according to Melissa Maker, cleaning expert at , pillows can double in weight over their lifespan, due to everything they pick up. (Um, EW.)

Now that youre freaked out (and may have already thrown your pillow across the room), dont feartoo much, anyway. Heres everything you need to know about how and when to wash your pillows to keep them so fresh and so clean.

Like all things you use on a daily basis, pillows get dirty. Even though youre "just" sleeping and likely using a case, your cushion still collects a ton of things leftover from the day, like hair products, sweat, makeup, and face wash, as well as dead skin cells and dust mites.

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"During the night, when your body is resting and recovering, theres a lot going on," says Missy Tannen, founder and head of product and development at Boll & Branch , a luxury sheets company. "Youre not just sitting there frozen."

All the sweat and personal care products your pillow absorbs on a nightly basis also explains why pillows sometimes turn a slightly yellow color. If you just checked and noticed some discoloration on your pillow, its been too long since you washed it. (The more you know...)

Besides the fact that sharing your pillow with all that bacteria is just plain gross, not washing your pillows can also affect your health. For example, if youre more susceptible to dust allergies, you might start to notice youre more congested if you haven't thrown your cushions in the laundry in a while.

"Because pillows are an item we use nightly, over time everything they absorb creates an ideal environment for dust mites and bacteria to thrive," adds Jessica Hann, senior director of partnerships at Avocado Green Mattress , a non-toxic and organic mattress company. "Particularly for those who suffer from allergies, this can cause adverse health effects."

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Plus, the accumulation of dirt in the pillows fill (that fluffy, comfy stuff inside) breaks down the structure and its ability to support your head and neck while youre sleeping, a.k.a. your pillows one real job. Because of this, washing your pillow on the reg can actually help extend their lifespanand help you catch better Z's .

Like any piece of clothing, your pillows also come with a tag that contains instructions for care (and if this is the first you're hearing of thisyou're welcome!). Tannen recommends starting there, but for most down and down-replacement pillows these days, cleaning is as easy as tossing them in the washing machine.

The key to sweet (and squeaky clean) dreams, however, is using cold or warm-cold water and only a little bit of detergentless than you would for a load of clothes. This prevents any detergent buildup from residing in the fibers.

And, if you have a washer with an agitator (a.k.a. it loads from the top), Maker recommends washing two pillows at a time to help keep the machine balanced. Got a front-loading machine? Feel free to throw in one or two pillows at a timelady's choice!

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Pillows aren't just for sleeping. This therapeutic one can actually comfort you like a pet:

Oh, P.S. The pillows fill will absorb detergent and water like a sponge, so both Maker and Tannen recommend running pillows through an extra spin cycle to get out as much of the soap and moisture as possible before drying.

Its perfectly fine to put most pillows in the dryer. (But once again, make sure you check the tags first.)

A (weird) pro tip from Maker : Cover two tennis balls with socks, tie the end of the socks to keep the balls in place, and then run those in the dryer with your pillows. The tennis balls will help beat any remaining moisture out of your pillows, butfair warningit still might take a couple cycles to dry them fully.

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Afterward, give your pillow a big squeeze and deep smell to test for any remaining moisture.

No shade, but you should probably (definitely) start washing your pillows more frequently than you are now. While overwashing will break down the support faster, wash your pillows at least twice a year (even three times wont hurt) for a most restful, germ-free sleep.

All three experts recommended using a zippered pillow protector in addition to your standard pillowcase. The protector acts as an extra barrier in between your pillow and all those nasty things it'll otherwise absorb.

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FYI: That pillow protector won't magically protect you 24/7. You gotta wash it on a regular basis also. (Where oh where does the cycle end?!) But when you do, "a pillow protector will be your best friend," says Tannen.

Additionally, Baker recommends taking just a few secs each day to fluff your pillows when youre making your bed. It won't make them cleaner (sorry), but this will help distribute the material in the fill, preventing annoying dents.

Even if you use a pillow protector and wash your pillow a few times a year, eventually, it'll break down and you'll need to get a new one. (It's the circle of life, er, linen.)

To figure out if it's time to break up with your pillow, Maker suggests something she calls the "fold test." Simply fold your pillow in half, and if it springs back into place, its a keeper. If not, it might be time to give it the "decorative pillow only" designation.

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Bottom line: "Keeping your pillows fresh, clean, and healthy is essential for your overall health," says Hann. "Regardless of your sleep position , you are likely inhaling and exhaling thousands of times into your pillow each nightso ensuring it is allergen- and chemical-free can help improve overall wellbeing."

Which, ya know, is kind of the whole point of sleeping in the first place.

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