The Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Guide on How to Dry Pillows

Knowing how to properly wash pillows is pretty easy, but many of us may take a moment to think about how to properly dry pillows. These fluffy objects have to be dried right after washing because they might clump or release bad odors if they remain humid.

So, what’s the best way to get rid of this excess moisture without causing damage to the pillow fibers? Luckily, there are two ways you could choose from to properly dry your pillows.

Let’s explore each method and steps for drying your pillow in-depth.

Drying Pillows Using a Household Dryer

The first method to dry your pillows properly is by using your laundry dryer. Before we explain how to do it, remember that this method only works with fiber and down pillows.

Step 1: Put the Pillows You’ve Washed Into the Dryer

After washing your pillows, squeeze them gently above a tub or sink to get rid of excess water. Next, put each pillow in the drying machine.

Be careful not to overload the dryer with pillows because they’ll expand when they become dry.

Step 2: Set the Heat to Low

When adjusting the settings of the dryer, make sure that you use the lowest heat possible. High heat can cause the fibers inside the pillows to break, damaging them.

You can also choose the air-dry setting on your dryer to ensure that your pillows will be dried more safely.

Step 3: Place a Few Tennis Balls in the Dryer

This is a cool trick that should keep the fibers in the pillows from clumping. The tennis balls will bounce around with the pillows, ensuring that the fillings don’t form lumps.

Just remember to put each tennis ball in a clean sock so that the lint that covers it doesn’t stick to your pillows.

Step 4: Dry Your Pillows for 45 to 60 Minutes Per Cycle

Because pillows absorb so much water when you wash them, drying them can take multiple cycles. Not to mention that you'll be using low or no heat.

Because of these conditions, each cycle has to last from 45 to 60 mines to ensure there isn't any moisture left inside your pillows. 

In between cycles, take your pillows out of the dryer and fluff them a bit before putting them back inside. This can also help prevent clumping.

Step 5: Take Your Pillows Out of the Dryer

After a few drying cycles, remove your pillows from the dryer and give each one of them a big squeeze. This will let you know if there’s any dampness left that you’ll need to take care of. Pay special attention to the sides of the pillow because the water gathers there.

Also, it’s a good idea to smell each pillow for any bad odors. If there’s an unwelcome smell, this means that the pillow still has wet spots.

Step 6: Let the Pillows Dry More in the Sun

Place your pillows next to a window where direct sunlight can reach them. This helps the pillows dry completely and gets rid of any remaining musty smells.

After a few hours, check again if the pillows are dry. If they’re a bit moist on the inside, you could put them in the dryer once more.

Once you’re sure there are no damp spots on your pillows, you can put their pillow cases back on and use them with confidence.

Drying Pillows Without a Dryer

If you’re not enthusiastic about using a dryer, you could put your pillows in the sun and let nature do its work. Again, this is suitable for drying fiber and down pillows exclusively.

Step 1: Choose the Right Location to Dry Your Pillows

You can put your pillows to dry in the sun indoors or outdoors. If you prefer to do this indoors, choose a spot next to a window where direct sunlight can fall upon your pillows.

Just place towels underneath the pillows so that they don’t make your floor or furniture wet. Also, keep those pillows away from any electronics for safety.

Step 2: Use a Clothesline to Dry Your Pillows Faster

It’s always a great idea to hang your pillows on a clothesline to allow more airflow. Position the clothesline so that it allows maximum exposure to the sunlight.

If this isn’t an option, you could adjust the pillows every now and then to let each side get as much sun as possible.

Step 3: Fluff the Pillows Every Two Hours

As the hours pass by, the filling material of the pillows will cling to itself. That’s why you need to check them every two hours and give your pillows a fluffing to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Simply shake & squeeze the pillows to preserve their shape & keep them from getting all lumpy.

FAQs About Drying Your Pillows

If you’re still have some questions about drying your pillows, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the topic. Our answers will hopefully clear things up a bit!

How can I dry a foam memory pillow?

Foam memory pillows, along with silk and latex pillows, can be damaged if you put them in a dryer because the heat will break their fibers. So, to dry these pillows, do the following.

• Squeeze the pillows gently to get rid of excess water
• Don’t wring out the pillows not to ruin their fibers
• Place the pillows flat in a well-ventilated area
• Hang the pillows on a clothesline to dry faster
• Don’t forget to flip the pillows on a regular basis

Does putting a pillow in the dryer kill germs?

This might be possible if you use high heat, which isn’t recommended when drying pillows in the dryer. But there’s no need to worry about killing germs when drying pillows because you’ll be exposing your pillows to the sun anyway.

This has proven to be effective in killing the majority of germs.

What else can I use besides tennis balls to keep the pillows from clumping inside the dryer?

Thankfully, many objects can replace tennis balls in this scenario. You could go for:

• One clean shoe to work with several pillows
• A couple of t-shirts tied into balls to use with a single pillow
• Small stuffed animals that don’t include plastic parts

Our Conclusion On Drying Your Pillows

If you’ve been wondering how to dry pillows effectively, we hope our article was able to help. By following the few steps we’ve mentioned, you’ll realize that it’s an easy job.

In addition to washing and drying your pillows, we recommend that you also change or wash your pillowcase on an even more frequent basis as well.

Our last piece of advice is to always look for the washing and drying instructions that you’ll find on your pillows. This should prevent any mistakes that might damage your pillow fibers.