How to Wash Throw Pillows in 4 Easy Steps (Without Ruining Them)

Throw pillows add comfort and style to your home but only if they are clean and fresh. Most throw pillows should be cleaned once or twice each year to remove dust and body soil.

The materials used to make the pillow determine whether they can be machine-washed, hand-washed, or require spot cleaning only. Always check the care tag for specific instructions.

Here's a guide to the best ways to wash your throw pillows.

How to Machine-Wash Throw Pillows

1. Treat visible stains. If possible, remove the throw pillow cover and treat any stains with an enzyme-based stain remover or a small dab of heavy-duty laundry detergent. Work the stain remover into the fabric and let it work for at least 10 minutes before washing the pillow.
2. Choose the washer settings. Select cool water and the gentle cycle on the washer. Balance the load by washing at least two pillows or some lint-free towels.
3. Wash the pillow. If the cover is removable, wash it separately from the inner pillow. Place pillows or covers that have beading or embroidery in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snags.
4. Dry the pillow. Most pillows can be tumbled dry on low heat. Add two or three wool dryer balls to help fluff the filling. Check every 10 minutes to hand fluff the filling and prevent overheating. Or, fluff the freshly washed pillow and place it on a mesh drying rack to air-dry.

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How to Hand-Wash Throw Pillows

1. Treat stains. Use an enzyme-based stain remover or a dab of laundry detergent to pretreat any visible stains. Let it work for at least 10 minutes to break apart the stains before hand-washing.
2. Create a washing solution. Fill a clean sink with cold water, add one teaspoon of gentle liquid detergent, and stir it in to be sure it’s well-dispersed.
3. Wash the pillow. Add the throw pillow to the sink and let soak for five minutes, then swish the pillow through the water.
4. Rinse the pillow. Lift out the pillow, drain the sink, and refill it with fresh water. Swish and rinse the pillow, draining and refilling the sink, until no suds remain. Gently squeeze the pillow but don't wring or twist.
5. Dry the pillow. Wrap the pillow in a thick bath towel and squeeze to help remove as much water as possible. Fluff and reshape the pillow and place it on a mesh drying rack to air-dry. Turn the pillow several times and fluff the filling as it dries. 
   

How to Spot Clean Throw Pillows

If the tag on your throw pillow says spot clean only, grab a soft sponge or microfiber cloth and some mild detergent.

1. Mix a cleaning solution. Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of gentle detergent.
2. Clean soiled areas. Dampen a sponge in the soapy solution. Gently rub the stained area starting at the outside edges of the stain working toward the center to keep the stained area from getting larger. As the stain transfers to the cloth, move to a clean area to prevent redepositing the soil.
3. Rinse and dry. Dip a clean microfiber towel in fresh water and wring until just damp. Wipe the freshly cleaned area to remove detergent residue and let the pillow air dry.
   

Additional Tips

• Vacuum pillows and upholstery regularly to remove dust and loose soil.
• For pillows with beads, loops, or sequins that can get ruined with a vacuum, take them outside and use your hands to shake loose the dust.
• Choose throw pillows with removable, machine-washable throw pillow covers.
• Keep "fancy" or hard-to-clean pillows in spots far away from the hands of little ones or the paws of furry friends.