Pillows are personal. Keeping them clean is an important detail, so you can rest easy knowing that you can trust the surface where you lay your head each night. After all, it's common practice to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on mattresses and bed sets, while the importance of good pillow upkeep is all but an afterthought.

Sure, sheets and pillowcases get their regular laundry rotation, but your pillow needs a good cleaning every 3-4 months as well. Your pillow is often home to a variety of dirt, oils, sweat, bacteria you leave behind when you rest - even mold can develop on your pillows with time. Not only can these things break down the fill in your pillows, but they can also lead to persistent, foul odors. If you live in warmer climates where sweating at night is more common, you should clean your pillows even more frequently.

Prevention is key when it comes to pillow maintenance. A daily fluffing to shake off any dust and restore their shape. While most synthetic and down-filled pillows can be washed in both conventional and high efficiency (HE) washing machines, there are different needs for memory foam and latex foam pillows. These should be washed by hand and air-dried to avoid damaging the delicate material.

Directions For Cleaning Pillows

Before cleaning, check the tag on your pillow to confirm that it's washable. When in doubt about a surface, always spot test first

FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY (HE) WASHING MACHINES:

1. Remove the pillowcase and pillow protector, if present.
2. Dampen any spots or stains with water, and pre-treat with full strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Scrub with a soft brush or finger to help penetrate fabric and agitate the stain.
3. Add pillows to washer, two at a time for a balanced load. Do not overfill.
4. Wash normally. Consider an extra spin cycle to eliminate excess moisture.
5. Dry completely, on dryer's low setting.

FOR CONVENTIONAL WASHING MACHINES:

1. Remove the pillowcase and pillow protector, if present.
2. Dampen any spots or stains with water, and pre-treat with full strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Scrub with a soft brush or finger to help penetrate fabric and agitate the stain.
3. Start washer and allow to fill with water.
4. Pour laundry detergent into water.
5. Add ¼ cup of Simple Green for heavily soiled pillows.
6. Place pillows in machine, two at a time for a balanced load. Do not overfill.
7. Wash normally. Consider an extra spin cycle to eliminate excess moisture.
8. Dry completely, on dryer's low setting.

FOR MEMORY FOAM OR LATEX FOAM PILLOWS:

1. Remove protective outer cover. If it's machine-safe, wash it in your conventional or HE washing machine. See above for stain removal instructions.
2. Fill a large sink or bathtub with warm water, and add a ¼ cup of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.
3. Completely submerge the pillow and squeeze gently for 3-5 minutes to move cleaning solution through the foam.
4. Drain the dirty water and rinse pillow several times, until the water runs clear.
5. Gently squeeze to remove the water. Do not wring out the pillow, as this will damage the foam.
6. Allow the pillow to air dry on a flat, ventilated surface away from direct heat.

Bonus tip: If your down or synthetic pillows are clean, give them an "air fluff" in the dryer every few months to eliminate dust.