Like the mattress, your pillows are hardworking sleep solutions that are often the target of stubborn dirt and microscopic elements that eventually deteriorate their quality. Bacteria, dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat, drool, and food crumbs can stick to your pillow. Exposure to these elements can cause allergies and flare-ups of asthma. Surely, you don’t need these nasty things to join you in your sleep.
Pillowcases can help you minimise the pillow's contact with dirt and stains, but they are still susceptible to wet stains and other microscopic elements. A pillow protector with a zipper and thick padding is a good choice to help you with the grit and grime of using your pillow. The good news is that, compared to washing your pillows, cleaning the pillowcases and pillow protectors is easier. This also helps to extend the time required to clean your pillow.
How Often Should You Wash Your Pillow Protector?
Wash your pillowcases and bedding accessories once a week, along with other bedding accessories that come into direct contact with your skin. If you have pets or allergies, wash your pillowcases more often. In the event that the pillow accumulates stubborn stains like spills or blood, it should be washed immediately. This also applies when the user is sick. Pretreat stains before washing. As for the pillow protector, it is recommended to clean it at least once a month. The pillow itself can be cleaned every four to six months.
Before washing your pillows or pillow protectors, it’s crucial to check their cleaning instructions. Also, choose a mild detergent to preserve the quality of the material. While many pillows are washable, some are better off being spot cleaned and aired under the sun. Generally, foam pillows are not recommended for machine washing since the filling material can break apart during the cycle.
How to Wash Your Pillow Protector
Many pillow protectors are machine-washable. In this case, you may wash your pillow protector with mild soap and cold water on a gentle washing machine cycle. This is to prevent the fibres from stretching or clumping in specific areas of your pillow protector. To avoid shrinking, the pillow protector can be tumble dried or air dried. It’s effective to have an extra pillow cover or protector so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of cleaning and replacing your pillow protector more often.
When it comes to handwashing, you can clean your pillow protector using mild soap. Spot-clean your pillow protector to thoroughly remove stubborn dirt that can stick to the fibres. Directly saturate the stain and carefully blot or rinse the area to prevent the pigment from spreading. Always follow the cleaning instructions attached to your pillow protector before using any cleaning solutions.
Make sure that your pillow is thoroughly dried before putting it back into the pillowcase to prevent moisture and mould that can contaminate both the cover and the fillings.
How To Take Care of Your Pillows
Use Pillow Protectors
Pillow protectors, like mattress protectors, work as an effective line of defense against dirt, dust mites, and allergens that can affect your health. Because of the protection that they provide and their ease of cleaning, pillow protectors make pillow maintenance less of a hassle.
Air Out Your Pillows
Give your bedroom enough ventilation to remove the excess moisture from your pillows and bedding accessories. This can prevent the buildup of mould, especially in humid places like Singapore. The heat from drying your pillow can also kill dust mites.
Fluff Your Pillow Regularly
Maintain the best shape of your pillows by regularly fluffing their fill. This will prevent the lumping or sagging of some parts. This will also maintain the best quality of your pillow for a longer period.
Takeaway
Experts recommend the use of pillow protectors to preserve the quality of the pillows. Pillow protectors are made from hard-wearing materials to act as an extra layer of protection against dirt, dust mites, and other harmful elements. Many pillow protectors also come with anti-bacterial properties to ensure a safer and cosier rest. However, to enjoy the benefits of a pillow protector, it’s paramount to follow the right ways to clean and maintain its quality.
Megafurniture offers supportive sleeping pillows, bolsters, pillowcases, and pillow protectors in Singapore. Browse through our cosy and quality bedding products to enjoy a better night’s rest.