Who does not like to have a clean home? Everyone prefers their home to be organized and sanitary. But are you sure that ‘everything’ in your house is clean? There are certain items in our house that even though used every day, do not get as much attention as we need to pay to them. Most of the time house decor is ignored when it comes to cleaning the home. One of the home decor items that gets the least attention of all can be the bunch of throw pillows you have.
Whether it is the huge bunch of throw pillows on your bed or the couch of your living room, they all need as much cleaning as your regular pillows and bedsheets do. Throw pillows are usually the decorative pieces that have the most dirt and germs as they are used often and are neglected from the cleaning they need. But before you throw the decorative pillows right into the washer, read ahead about why you shouldn’t and what is the right method to clean the throw pillows that you so dearly love.
The process of cleaning your throw pillows is not as tedious as you might think. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about how to wash throw pillows. From determining the material of the fabric to taking out the stuffing to drying the pillows after the wash this article will help you understand how easy it is to clean throw pillows. With pillows, it is important to keep the room clean and well maintained.
Throw pillows are the kind of decorative items that rarely get cleaned up. Many times this happens simply due to neglect or the fact that people don’t know how to clean throw pillows. It can be annoying to try to clean your lavish throw pillows and damage them in the process. But, with the right knowledge, you can clean them easily, without causing any harm to the material they are made of. Even though it can seem to be a tiresome process with a lot of hassle, in reality, it’s the opposite. You can find all the answers you need regarding cleaning your throw pillows. Read ahead and have a happy cleaning.
How Many Times Must Throw Pillows Be Washed?
Even though it may not be visible on the outside, the throw pillows scattered on your bed and the couch carry a huge amount of dirt and germs. It is very important to clean these pillows regularly to ensure a hygienic and sanitary environment in your home.
Throw pillows must be cleaned every two to four weeks ideally, along with that, the material filled inside the pillows must also be cleaned or replaced every one to two months or so.
You must avoid over-washing your throw pillows as they can do more harm than good. Over-washing throw pillows may lead to roughing of fabric, damaging the stuffing, and even leading the stitches to open up. So, it is very important that you only wash your throw pillows, either as advised on the label or as stated above.
Determining how often you wash your throw pillows can also depend upon how much use do you take out of them. If your throw pillows are just sitting as decorative pieces on the bed or couch, you don’t need to wash them weekly. However, if you use the throw pillows often, it is very essential and advisable to clean them every week or two. This will not only keep your surroundings clean but will also help you avoid any germ-related issues you may face.
How To Wash Throw Pillows ?
There are certain factors to consider before washing your throw pillows to avoid damaging them. Knowing how and when to wash your throw pillows can help you make the process much easier for you.
Which process to use while washing your throw pillows can be determined by considering factors like the material of the cover, stuffing of the pillow added decorative materials to the pillows like feathers, pearls, etc. you can choose the method that suits you best by reading further.
Cleaning Throw Pillows
- Machine Wash: If your throw pillows have plain or printed removable covers, they can be machine washed on the gentle/mild setting in lukewarm or cold water. The brighter the color, the colder the water.
- Do Not Skip The Label: the labels mostly have the washing instructions appropriate for the particular material printed on them. Along with that, they also mention which type of detergent is best to wash your throw pillows. Washing the pillows according to the instructions printed on them is the safest way to clean them. If the washing instructions on the label say to only dry clean or if the throw pillow has decorative material that can get harmed due to regular wash, refrain from doing so as it can ruin the material altogether.
- Hand Wash: If your throw pillows do not have removable covers, stick to gently hand-wash them and hang them to dry. Putting such a pillow in the dryer can make them lose their fluff or damage it badly. In other cases, like if the material of the throw pillows is delicate such as silk, wool, or fur, it is advisable to only wash them by hand and let them air dry.
- Detergents and Soaps: it is very important to use a mild detergent sheet to wash throw pillows as the hard ones can damage the fabric of the cover and the stuffing too. You can also use some mild shampoos or soaps by lathering to wash the throw pillows as well.
How To Wash Throw Pillows in a Washer
- If the cover of the throw pillow is removable, wash the cover and the pillow separately.
- In case your throw pillow has some stains, treat them with the lather of mild soap or with a gentle cleaner beforehand.
- After putting the covers in the washer, set the delicate setting on. Use a mild detergent. Baby shampoo or any other gentle shampoo will also work well.
- Do not put the covers in the dryer. Hand the covers to let them air dry. In case the label says that the pillows and covers are dryer safe then tumble dry them at low heat.
- Once the pillows are dry, make sure to fluff them so that they can retain their original shape.
- Also, read the following article: Standard Shower Head Height
Extra Care Tips While Washing Throw Pillows
- The stuffing of throw pillows can be made from many different materials. If it is solid foam, take it out of the pillow carefully and wash it with your hands in warm water. Rinse the water gently and let the foam air dry.
- Wollen, silk, suede, or leather pillows should not be washed with water.
- Make sure that you let the pillows dry right after washing them so they do not lose their shape.
- In case your throw pillows are old, just stick to spot cleaning them rather than going all out with washing them. This simple step will increase the life of your throw pillows.
Now that you know how to determine the right method of cleaning your throw pillows, all you need to do is follow the instructions and you’ll save your favorite pillows from getting destroyed otherwise.