Did I wash my pillows wrong?
By gmakesmoney
@gmakesmoney (2923)
United States
October 5, 2007 11:33pm CST
So I wash all my bedding today, including my pillows. However I noticed when I got them out of the dryer they were all seriously deformed. I tried to puff them back into place but it didn't work. Could it be the pillow type? they're not special or expensive pillows, just hypoallergenic (sp?). Just regular pillows I got at Walmart for like $5 or $6 a piece. I am so going to have a hard time getting them into a pillow case. I'm wondering through could I have washed them wrong? I washed them (4 pillows) in the washer with hot water, first a 20 minute soak with just oxy clean in the water (to make sure they're super clean) and then a regular cycle with Purex and Downy. Then I dried them in the dryer on "extra dry", twice. How do you wash your pillows? Or are you not supposed to?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@bestisyettocome (1531)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I'm not sure of the proper way to wash pillows. I only know what I have learned from experience. I wash 2 pillows at a time, one on each side of the washer. I use delicate cycle. NOW, after learning, I put them out in the sunshine to dry for a couple of hours. Then in the dryer on air only, no heat. Every person, I'm sure, has their own way to do it. You'll find yours...
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I bet the sunshine and no heat make all the difference... as does not stuffing the machines, lol. That's a great idea and I'll try that next time to avoid my deformed pillows again. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Hi G,
Sounds like its the foam used inside the pillow, its foam filling right? Ive washed my pillows similiar to the way you described, but they are polyester fill. You know that stuff you can buy from craft stores to stuff pillows with that you make, or line a blanket with?
You could have perhaps dried them on too high of a heat too. I dont use that high of a heat. I use a medium setting.
My pillows are IMPORTANT to me...lol I have 5 on the bed and use 4 of them myself. lol Sorry to hear they got messed up, hope they are not completely ruined for you.
Bay xx
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@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Thanks, they are polyester fill pillows. I did use a really high heat setting and in the end they actually ended up being wet w/out me knowning and so I dried them the next day. I've got 5 pillows too, I can't sleep w/out them. I've had horrible sleep the last two nights because they're kinda too puffed up. I'm hoping then settle back down!
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@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Yeah they should calm down after you sleep on them for a few nights. Ugh, I hate not sleeping good. Sorry to hear that.
Well you could always sit on them while your on myLot! hehe
Bay xx
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@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Thanks. That is a great idea, lol. Normally I just buy new ones but these were still new, I was just in one of those wash everything in sight moods hoping it would help with the allergies. I'd hate to get new ones, they're so hard to break in, lol.
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@kayrod2 (1304)
• Australia
6 Oct 07
My pillows always go horrible if i wash them. i have never put them into the dryer though, so maybe thats why they have gone like that. I sometimes just spray them lightly with a light watery wash mix and hang them in the sun
best wishes
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
7 Oct 07
I've noticed when I dry my pillows, I need to throw a tennis ball inwith them. Same with down comforters. It helps them not get so weird-shaped.
Drying them too hot might also be the problem.
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@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
10 Oct 07
They do get hot, so have a couple that you alternate with. I have never had any problems with them. Just normal tennis balls.
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Really a tennis ball? Does it like absorb the heat or something?
1 person likes this
@alamode (3071)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Two at a time, warm water, soak as you did, wash on delicate with a little soap. Spin out well, then let stand to drain as much water as possible. Spin again, then dry on low to medium heat... it takes a while, but its the tumbling that fluffs them up again.
Those poor things... what did they do to deserve such treatment? LOL!
@lisaheath1 (7)
• United States
7 Oct 07
If you want to wash a really large stuffed animal you might try taking it to the laundry mat. They have the extra large front loading machines. That way you don't need to cruch it in your washing machine.
I have washed lots of smaller stuffed animals in our machine and they come out smelling so clean. I just let them air dry though.
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