It’s not only pillowcases that need to be washed — pillows form a buildup of oil, sweat, dust mites, and bacteria and turn yellow, so they should be washed at least twice a year.
However, certain pillows should not be put in a washing machine. Most cotton, down, or feather pillows are safe, but memory foam pillows are not, so always check the care tag.
In the washing machine, always wash only two pillows at a time in order to keep the washer from getting off-balance, which could result in expensive repairs to the machine.
Avoid washing pillows with other bedding to prevent them getting entangled. Washing your pillows separately will also ensure that they get fully and evenly cleaned.
Some experts say you can dry pillows in a dryer on a low heat and fluff them every 15 minutes, but to be safe, let them dry in the sun instead. This will also get rid of odors.
It’s important to not use the wrong cleaner — for instance, never use lemon juice or vinegar on your pillows. The fabric can degrade and tear more easily due to the citric acid.