Although there are many types of pillows, after a period of use, women should clean the pillow inserts to eliminate bacteria and dirt. This is because pillow inserts can easily become yellowed if used continuously without cleaning. Moreover, they can develop mold, accumulate dust, and unpleasant odors.

Many families choose to clean pillow inserts by simply airing them out in the sun, thinking that this is enough to kill bacteria. But that’s not enough! You need to wash them thoroughly and dry them properly! I found a quick and easy guide on how to clean pillow inserts on Phunutoday, which you can refer to!

Washing Pillow Inserts with a Washing Machine

To achieve clean, white pillow inserts, you can’t just use regular laundry detergent as you would for clothes. You’ll need additional whitening ingredients: baking soda, dishwashing liquid, laundry powder (or liquid detergent), and bleach. Mix these ingredients in the following ratio: 1:1:1:2 (baking soda: bleach: dishwashing liquid: laundry detergent). Then, place the pillow inserts into the washing machine drum, but make sure not to overcrowd the machine so the inserts can spin freely. Depending on the size of your machine, you should wash 2-3 pillow inserts at a time. It’s important to arrange the pillow inserts so that they align with the spin axis, and leave space between them for more effective washing.

To maximize the cleaning power of the detergent mixture, select a warm water wash cycle with the normal washing procedure (like for regular clothes). The reason we use warm water is that it helps improve the removal of stains from the pillow inserts. After filling the machine with water and the cleaning solution, let the pillow inserts soak for 15-20 minutes. If your washing machine has a soaking feature, use this mode for better results. Another tip is not to worry about taking too long to dry the pillow inserts and avoid using a high spin cycle, as it can cause the cotton filling inside to twist.

For top-load washing machines, you can toss a tennis ball into the drum to prevent the pillow inserts from clumping together during the wash.

After washing, just hang the pillow inserts out in the sun to dry, and you’ll have fresh, clean inserts. Be sure to dry them in strong sunlight to avoid any moisture, which can lead to mold!

Washing Pillow Inserts by Hand

If you can’t use a washing machine, hand washing is also an option. Similar to machine washing, you need to prepare a cleaning solution consisting of baking soda, white vinegar, and laundry detergent (or liquid detergent). It’s important not to use bleach when hand washing, as it may leave an unpleasant smell and be harsh on your hands. Even so, it’s recommended to wear gloves during the process. Mix the cleaning solution in the following ratio: 1 tablespoon of laundry powder + ½ cup of white vinegar + ½ cup of baking soda. Mix this with warm water and soak the pillow inserts for 20-30 minutes.

After soaking, rub and squeeze the pillow inserts with your hands to remove dirt. For stubborn stains, use a brush to scrub them clean. Then rinse the pillow inserts under water several times until all the soap is gone. Finally, hang the pillow inserts in the sun to dry.

A small tip during drying is to occasionally turn the pillow inserts over and gently pat them to fluff the cotton inside. This helps them dry faster and become softer and more comfortable.

With just a little effort, you can have fresh, clean pillow inserts that smell great and are as good as new, without having to spend money on new ones!