How to Wash a MyPillow

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 8, 2022 References Approved

As a My Pillow user, you may be wondering how to properly care for your fluffy, foam-filled pillow. For best results, follow the care instructions you received with the product’s packaging. The manufacturer recommends machine-washing your MyPillow on a regular cycle with cold or warm water and mild detergent before tumble-drying it on high heat. Follow a few tricks for a hassle-free experience, like balancing out the load and running an extra spin cycle. After laundering your MyPillow properly, you’ll be able to sink your head into your form-fitting pillow for a good night’s sleep.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Loading the Washer

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Pour in a mild liquid laundry detergent. When washing your MyPillow, use a mild, high-efficiency (HE) liquid laundry detergent for lower sudsing. If you’re using a laundry detergent bottle’s cap as a measuring cup, fill up the cup to just below the “1 load” line. Otherwise, add about ¹⁄₄ c (59 mL) of detergent.^{[1]
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Research source} Pour it into the machine before inserting your MyPillow.
- Refrain from using powder detergent as it might leave some residue on your pillow.^{[2]
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- Don’t use fabric softener when laundering your MyPillow.
2
Add the pillow to a full load of laundry if you’re using a front-loading machine. A front-loading machine is preferred, since it’ll prevent your pillow from floating on top of the water. If you use this type of machine, toss your pillow in with a medium-sized load of white or light-colored clothes.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have any clothes to launder, try washing your pillow with a load of towels of varying sizes.
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Balance out a top-loading machine with another pillow or a few towels. For a top-loading machine, place each pillow on opposite sides of the machine. If you don’t have another pillow to wash, set your MyPillow on 1 side of the agitator and drop 2 or 3 large towels onto the other side. Aim to provide an equal amount of material on either side of the agitator to avoid an unbalanced load.^{[4]
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- If you notice that the MyPillow starts floating on top of the water once the load starts, push the pillow down until it absorbs the water, then layer a towel on top of it to weigh the pillow down.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Adjusting the Washer Settings

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Set the washing machine to a regular cycle. While some pillows are designed to be washed on the “delicate” or “gentle” setting, launder your MyPillow on the “regular,” “normal,” or “cotton” setting.^{[6]
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- A “delicate” or “gentle” cycle uses slow spin cycles and limited agitation, which won’t clean your MyPillow as effectively as the faster regular cycle.
2
Wash your MyPillow in cold to warm water. Depending on the type of machine you’re using, try either a “warm/warm,” “warm/cold,” or “cold/cold” setting.^{[7]
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Research source} Choose a “cold” setting if you prefer a more energy-efficient approach, or select a “warm” setting if you’d like to sanitize your pillow more thoroughly or eliminate stains.
- Hot water is not recommended for washing My Pillows.
3
Add extra spin cycles to remove more of the moisture. Add 1 or 2 additional spin cycles to help spin out as much water as possible from your MyPillow. Depending on the type of machine you’re using, you can add an extra spin to the initial wash cycle, or run a separate spin cycle after the initial wash is done.
- Since more of the moisture will be drawn out of the foam, you’ll be able to use a shorter tumble-drying cycle.^{[8]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Tumble-Drying Your Pillow

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Set your dryer to a high heat setting. As opposed to low heat, high heat will more quickly and completely dry your MyPillow, inside and out. The manufacturers recommend selecting a high heat setting and running the dryer at a “normal” cycle.^{[9]
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Tumble-dry your MyPillow without any dryer balls. While most pillows will benefit from the fluffing agitation that dryer balls or tennis balls provide, these aren’t recommended when drying a MyPillow.^{[10]
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Research source} Simply place your MyPillow, along with any other pillows, towels, or clothing items from the previous load, into the dryer.
- Refrain from adding any fabric softener or dryer sheets to the load.
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Keep your MyPillow in the dryer until it’s completely dry. After the drying cycle finishes, pull out your pillow and squeeze it to check for damp patches. Even if there are just a few small spots that contain some moisture, toss the pillow back into the dryer for 10 to 15 more minutes. Keep checking and drying the pillow until it’s free of moisture.^{[11]
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- Additional tumble-drying won’t damage or melt your MyPillow.^{[12]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Maintaining Your MyPillow

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Toss a brand new MyPillow in the dryer with a damp washcloth. After you unpackage your new MyPillow, place it in a dryer along with a damp, but not dripping, washcloth.^{[13]
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Research source} Run the machine at a high heat setting for about 15 minutes before using your pillow.
- The heat and moisture will agitate the inner foam filling so it’s ready to sleep on.^{[14]
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Use a cotton pillowcase to keep your pillow clean. Cover your MyPillow with a well-fitting pillowcase to prevent sweat, oils, and cosmetic products from transferring over to the pillow itself.^{[15]
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Research source} The manufacturers recommend using a 100% cotton pillowcase with your MyPillow.^{[16]
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- Launder your pillowcase at least once a week.
3
Fluff your MyPillow by hand every night before going to bed. Grab the ends or corners of your pillow. Rapidly push your fists toward each other to pump some air into the foam. Squeeze and punch the pillow to fluff it up even more and reshape it into your preferred form.^{[17]
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- Once you set your head down, tuck the bottom part of the pillow under your neck to get the best support.
4
Wash your MyPillow once every 4 months. If you sleep on your MyPillow every night, keep it fresh by laundering it once every 4 months, or about 3 times a year. If you experience allergies, wash it more frequently, or once every 2 months.^{[18]
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- The 10-year MyPillow warranty covers laundering, so you shouldn’t worry about your pillow going flat with regular washing and drying.^{[19]
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Community Q&A

Question

How long do you put a MyPillow in dryer?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Place your MyPillow inside your dryer and set it to a high heat setting, which will make sure it's dry inside and out and won't develop mildew. Set your dryer to a standard or normal setting, which is usually between 40-60 minutes. Once the cycle is done, take your pillow out and feel for any damp spots. If there are any, even if they're small, toss your pillow back in the dryer for another 10-15 minutes. Make sure the pillow is completely dry before you take it out.
Question

How often should I wash a MyPillow?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

It's a good idea to wash your pillowcase every few weeks so you're lying on a clean surface. But over time, your pillow itself can collect dust, moisture, and potentially develop mildew. Luckily, washing your pillow in your washing machine every 3-4 months can keep it nice and clean and prevent mold or mildew from having a chance to develop. Make it a habit to wash your MyPillow at least every 4 months to help it last longer. If you get sick and end up having to spend a lot of time in bed, you may want to wash your pillow after you feel better to get rid of any bacteria that may be on your pillow.
Question

Can I put MyPillow in the washing machine?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Yes, absolutely. Place your MyPillow in your washing machine and add in a mild liquid detergent. Don't use powder detergent, because it can leave a residue on the pillow. Try to have a balanced load of laundry by adding some clothes and sheets so the pillow so the agitator is able to effectively clean the pillow. Run the pillow through your machine on a regular, standard setting using cold to warm water, but add an extra spin cycle to help remove the excess moisture from the pillow. When the cycle is finished, add your pillow to your dryer and dry it on a high-heat setting until it's completely dry.