The decorative pillow is something that perfectly graces your chair, sofa, rug, loveseat, bed, or any other items where it is placed. As it is used on most surfaces of your home, it easily attracts outer dust, oil particles, and other stains over time. So, it should be washed well otherwise it will completely ruin the beauty of your favorite pillow.
Thinking about the method for washing your decorative pillow whether it is a modern bed pillow or sofa pillow in the right way? Read this article so that you will be able to wash your pillow on your own and make it clean like new.
Remove cover
First, if your decorative pillow has a protected removable cover outside then remove it from the pillow carefully. Now, turn the pillow cover inside out and wash it separately from the pillow so that it will help to protect the original texture of the fabric.
Read care label
It is very important to check tags or care labels that are present on the pillow before attempting to wash any type of decorative pillow because every pillow has a specific cleaning method. It will help to know whether the pillow should be machine-washed or hand-washed.
Method 1: Machine wash
Decorative pillows which have material like synthetic, polyester, or cotton are safe to wash in the washing machine.
Things you need
- Dishwater Detergent
- Laundry Detergent
- Washing Soda
- Vinegar
- Warm water
Steps to Clean Your Decorative Pillow in Machine
1. Mix up a cleaning solution
Pour the recommended amount of powdered dishwasher detergent, vinegar, laundry detergent, and 3/4 cup of washing soda into a machine and let it fill with warm water. These ingredients help in the removal of any stains and whiten up your decorative pillow. Due to its antiseptic properties, lavender oil is good for a fresh scent so if you wish then you can also add a few drops of it.
2. Place your pillows in the machine
If possible, try to place two pillows at once around the agitator drum so that the load inside the machine is balanced. Remember, don’t try to put more than 2 pillows in your washer otherwise, you can’t clean them well.
3. Adjust the wash cycle
After adding a cleaning solution and pillow in a machine, you have to set the washing machine on a delicate cycle. Now, soak your decorative pillow for a few minutes and then let it run through the cycle.
4. Rinse your pillow
After washing the pillow, set the washer on rinse and run a cycle with fresh water so that you can completely rinse away the soapy solution. Before putting in the dryer, repeat the rinse cycle to remove the remaining detergent.
5. Dry your pillow
You can dry your decorative pillow in a dryer if the care label indicates that it is dryer-safe. For this, you can put your pillow in a dryer on a low heat setting. Repeat the drying cycle until the outer surface as well as filling is completely dry. You can also toss some tennis balls in a dryer to ensure that the pillow retains its original shape.
6. Check your pillows
Once the dryer has finished its cycle, you need to check your pillow to make sure there is no water left in it. If you feel that it is still damp then repeat the drying process. Otherwise, your pillow is clean and fresh.
Method 2: Hand Wash
Decorative pillows which have materials like wool, velvet, and silk are safe to hand wash.
Things you need
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Tub
- Cold water
- Dishwashing detergent
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Sponge
- Pillow drying hanger
Steps to Clean Your Decorative Pillow by hand
1. Vacuum the pillow
If your decorative pillow is only dusty, and does not have any stain on it then you can use a handheld vacuum cleaner with brush attachments on a pillow. It will help in getting rid of any dust and pet hair that are present on the surface of the pillow.
2. Fill a tub with water
If you feel that your decorative pillow needs to be deep cleaned, take a pillow into a tub and pour cold water on it until the pillow is fully covered. Make sure not to use hot water on it.
3. Add detergents
Use those detergents which are safe for hand washing. Add a few drops of dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a tub, stir them so that they are properly dissolved in water. When adding the detergents, check the instructions on the bottle to know the exact amount.
4. Wash the pillow
Once the detergents have been well dissolved, squeeze your pillow softly with your hands. Now, take a foamy sponge and rub it over the entire surface of your pillow including each crevice of your pillow, and the piping, if present. But, if the stain is present then you need to treat the stain first and then wash the other surface.
5. Remove excess liquid from it
Cleaned out the soapy water from the tub and refilled it with clear water. Put your pillow in plain water and then press the pillows until all of the cleaning solutions come out from it.
6. Dry it
After removing excess liquid from it, it is necessary to dry your decorative pillow completely. Otherwise, it will start to smell musty. For drying a pillow, you can take it outside in a sunny area and then hang it using a pillow drying hanger. Now you know how to wash decorative pillows properly by hand or in a washing machine, repeat this process every 2-3 months so that you’ll always have clean and fresh pillows. You’ll also love to know How to Clean Upholstery Furniture Effectively
