Updated at: 13-07-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

If you’re a frequent backrest pillow user, you’ve probably noticed that it can get very grubby. Backrest cushion attachments can be damaged if washed incorrectly. This tutorial will explain you how to wash them safely.

If you want to read before going to sleep, a backrest pillow is a great addition to your bed. It is possible to sit comfortably in bed while using these pillows because of their tall back shape, which helps maintain your entire back straight.

  • Tide Ultra Stain Release is our favorite laundry detergent.
  • Sukalac uses Shout and Zout to remove stains, and he soaks the spots in OxiClean overnight for stubborn stains.
  • Laundry basket or huge container: Regardless of whether the foam is shredded or whole, it cannot be washed in a washing machine, however the coverings can be washed. A 17-gallon HDX Tough Storage Bin or The Container Store’s Stackable Laundry Basket should enough for dumping shredded material (the latter might scatter some dust).
  • Old T-shirts, washcloths, or dish towels can be used as clean cloths or rags.
  • In order to increase the duration between cleanings, Alexander recommends using a pillow protector in addition to a pillowcase. Protect-A-Bed AllerZip Smooth Pillow Protectors are the ones we suggest.

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How to Wash Backrest Pillow

Before washing your bedrest pillow, it’s usually a good idea to check the care instructions. Depending on the type of pillow, there may be additional washing requirements.

It is common for backrest pillows to have a fairly thick design and incorporate materials like memory foam that may be water-sensitive. Mold can grow on these materials if they become wet or take an exceptionally long time to dry. The majority of these pillows can’t be washed in a washing machine or electric dryer, and they may also be excessively large and cumbersome.

Since most of these pillows can only be hand-washed, we will focus on the steps for hand washing these supportive pillow types. Cleaning your backrest cushion couldn’t be much easier than what you’ll see in the video below.

Step 1 – Vacuum

The design of a backrest pillow or husband pillow makes it tough to clean. Vacuuming your pillow before washing it is the easiest way to remove loose debris, pet hair, and dust.

Vacuuming your pillow on a weekly basis can help keep it fresh and clean for longer, reducing the frequency with which you have to expose the sensitive components to moisture.

The backrest pillow should be completely vacuumed on all sides using a vacuum cleaner equipped with an upholstery cleaning brush. Seams and curved surfaces prone to collect dirt and grime, so pay attention to those.

Step 2 – Hand Wash

If you don’t clean your pillow regularly it will become dirty and smelly over time, especially if you sleep on it. These stains and foul odors can be avoided with a thorough cleaning of your backrest pillow.

Because most of these pillows are constructed of fragile or sensitive materials, it is probably better to avoid using strong chemicals to clean them. To clean your pillow, use a light laundry detergent, upholstery shampoo, or dish soap. Using only natural cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda can help prevent stains on your pillow.

Avoid getting the pillow stuffing wet while washing your pillow. Swipe the surface of the cushion with a soap-and-water solution that you’ve soaked a clean cloth in. Keep wiping and rubbing the soiled areas until the pillow appears clean.

Step 3 – Rinse

Soap residue can damage or degrade the fabric of your pillow if left on for an extended period of time. Dab some clean water on a fresh cloth. Remove the soap from the cushion by wringing out the towel and wiping it down. Make sure you don’t overdo it with the liquid.

Step 4 – Drying

Using a wet and dry vacuum to remove any excess moisture from your cushion materials is a smart option. This will speed up the drying process and eliminate even more dirt and filth from your cushion.

Because tumble dryers and electric dryers can harm the spouse pillow, it’s preferable to air dry it. In a warm, well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight, place your pillow. It’s important to remember to flip your pillow over every few hours or so so that it can dry evenly. Within 24 hours, the cushion should be entirely dry.

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In most cases, a pillow can be spot cleaned in less than 30 minutes, including drying time. In between deep cleanings, you can spot clean your pillows.

A single wash cycle and air drying time should be sufficient to clean a foam pillow cover (because the filling should not be cleaned). Washing and drying down and down alternative pillows might take a while, and you’ll want to keep an eye on them while they’re drying.

Try spot cleaning tiny stains before putting your pillow in the laundry or in between large washings. Cleaning a foam cushion without removing the fill is only possible by washing the cover.

Make sure you follow the directions for any stain remover you use. If you want to get the spot treatment into the stain, you’ll need to spritz or saturate it directly on it. Then pinch both sides of the fabric and rub together.

Wet a clean rag and blot and rinse the stained area after allowing the treated stain to soak for several minutes or overnight for dried, old stains.

The fabric care chief scientist for Procter & Gamble Mary Begovic Johnson told Wirecutter staff writer Sarah Bogdan that the best way to remove coffee stains is to use warm water to rinse rather than cold water. Non-foam pillows and foam pillow covers can be washed in the washing machine after soaking in stain remover.

The stuffing can be removed from shredded foam pillows (but not single-piece foam), according to our interviews with textile specialists, although manufacturers nearly unanimously say no. It’s possible that washing the entire pillow will prevent you from returning it or submitting a warranty claim.

A pillow’s loft may be reduced, shredded or single-piece foam may be damaged, mildew may grow if it isn’t dried properly, or your washer and dryer may be damaged if the pillow’s content escapes. Only wash the covers as a precaution, as recommended by us and the majority of other manufacturers.

After washing and drying the cover, you can remove the shredded foam filling from the cushion by simply unzipping the cover and emptying it into a large container. Do this outside or in a place where you can easily confine the mess, like a bathtub.

After the filler has been removed, Alexander recommends washing the cover on cold and letting it air dry. Since foam pillow covers aren’t often made of cotton, we believe this is a prudent precaution to take to prevent heat damage. Only once a year should you do this, according to him.

When it comes to caring for down alternative pillows, the directions on the care label are all you need to know. However, Sukalac’s tip for cleaning down pillows works equally well for both types of pillows.

Keep the oils on the down feathers within your pillow safe, says Sukalac. It is possible for the down to get sticky and smelly if it gets wet (an obvious sign that it is time to wash). It will eventually lose its loft, leaving you with a cushion that is flat as a pancake. Using cold or warm water and light detergent is the best way to get rid of soap residue that can build up on the down, just like dirt and sweat.

In order to ensure the soap is completely gone from the pillow, it is essential to thoroughly rinse and spin it, however it is difficult to verify whether the down filling inside is soap-free. It is recommended by Sukalac to do a second rapid wash or rinse cycle without soap. A brief wash with no soap, in order to remove the soap, is a good deed.

A pillow’s stuffing can be damaged by more than soap and dirt. You should never dry your pillows on high heat for an extended period of time, according to Sukalac, since this will cause them to lose their oils and irreversibly damage them. When it comes to down substitute stuffing, polyester is a no-no, as it can stretch or even melt if exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time.

For the first 20 minutes, Sukalac says he runs the dryer on high heat to kill dust mites, bed bugs, and other pathogens. His drying routine continues on low or medium heat after that. Every 20 minutes, he removes the pillows from the dryer to shake out any clusters and to ensure that the fill is drying and dispersing evenly throughout. To get the water out, he says it’s a lot of work. To physically unclump the pillow, “you’ve got to pull [the pillow] out, beat it up, and do it by hand.” Wait until the pillow is totally dry before removing it.

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Alexander suggests utilizing pillow protectors (with a pillowcase on top) in order to reduce the frequency with which you wash your pillows. Knead it like bread every week to let the foam shreds within open up, and this will keep your pillows fluffy. Another option is to dry it for 10 minutes on low heat in a clothes dryer.

Down and down alternative pillows, according to Sukalac, can be dried in the dryer. If I’m selling someone a new pillow, I tell them to throw it in the dryer for an hour on regular heat once every three or four weeks to get rid of any moisture or perspiration that’s built up. This will keep your pillow fluffier for a longer period of time. In addition, if you suffer from allergies, Sukalac suggests drying your pillow for 20 minutes on high heat to help eliminate dust mites.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s understandable that you might have some queries about how to properly care for your bed rest pillow or how to use one as a sleeping aid for the first time. Here are some of the most often asked questions and the most helpful responses.

How Often Should You Wash a Backrest Pillow?

You shouldn’t wash your pillows too frequently because they’re susceptible to dampness and cleaning products. Vacuuming the entire pillow surface weekly is the best method to keep it clean. Every one to two weeks, you can wash the sheet or cover. For the sake of keeping germs and odors at bay, you should wash your pillow every three to six weeks.

If you accidentally spill something on your pillow, it’s important to wipe the area right once to avoid permanent stains.

When Should a Backrest Pillow Be Replaced?

Over time, the form and stiffness of your backrest pillow will deteriorate. As long as it provides adequate support, you can continue to use it. However, if your pillow no longer helps to support your spine and posture, you should consider replacing it with a new one.

Are Backrest Pillows Machine Washable?

A washing machine and dryer can damage most backrest pillows, but some bedrest pillows with certain types of filling can be machine cleaned and dried. For large and heavy pillows, hand washing is always the best option because drying them in a dryer can produce tears or stretches in the fabric, which can be dangerous.

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Conclusion

Keeping our bed rest pillows clean is a no-brainer, whether we read in bed every night or need to sleep upright on occasion. When it comes to cleaning your bed rest pillow, you need to take into account four aspects. The best way to avoid damaging your pillow is to first read the label and follow the care instructions that came with it.

If a spot cleaning is required, do it as soon as possible to avoid stains and the accumulation of germs and debris. You don’t have to wash your bed rest pillow as often as you might think, and you can check to see if it’s machine washable or better to hand wash it. Pillows can be cleaned as often as needed, however washing should be done every 3 to 6 months at the very most.

As long as you follow these four guidelines, your bed rest pillow should remain clean and undamaged. Keep in mind that the materials used to make each pillow vary, as does the regularity with which it should be cleaned.

If you know how to wash backrest pillow devices, you’ll be able to better care for them in the future.