In order to sleep comfortably, you need a pillow, and a good pillow is one that is clean, dry, and comfortable to wear. After washing, you must immediately dry the pillow so that the contents do not clump and smell. You can use a regular clothes dryer or use the sun and air for a more natural drying.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Dryer to Dry a Pillow Made of Fiber or Goose Feather
Step 1. Immediately put the pillow in the dryer
After washing, squeeze the remaining water into a bucket or sink. Put the pillow in the dryer, but don't overfill it. Remember, the pillow will expand when dry.
Step 2. Set the dryer to the lowest heat
The fibers in the pillow can be damaged by high heat. Choose the lowest heat setting or machine cold drying to keep the pillow intact.
Step 3. Add dryer balls or tennis balls
The ball will bounce back and forth in the machine and prevent the pillow contents from clumping together. The pillow will also expand in this process so that the contents spread out and dry faster.
If you're using a tennis ball, put it in a clean sock so the fibers from the tennis ball don't stick to the pillow
Step 4. Dry for 45-60 minutes at a time
Since you're on a low heat setting or on a cold setting, your pillow will need to go through several cycles before it dries completely. After each cycle, remove the pillow from the dryer and inflate it by shaking it.
Step 5. Remove the pillow from the dryer
Squeeze to make sure the pillow is dry on all sides, especially the corners. Inhale the pillow to make sure there is no musty smell which could mean the pillow has not completely dried.
Step 6. Lay down the pillow and dry in the sun
Let the pillow cool outside the dryer. This will help remove the musty odor from the wash and ensure that the pillow has finished drying.
Step 7. Make sure the pillow is completely dry
Pillows that are still hot sometimes feel drier than they really are. Before you put on the cover or use it, double-check the pillow to make sure it is completely dry. Pat both sides vigorously to check for spots that are still damp.
If the pillow is still damp, you can put it back in the dryer as needed
Method 2 of 3: Drying Fiber or Goose Feather Pillows Without a Dryer
Step 1. Choose a dry, sunny day to wash the pillow
You can dry the pillow outside or inside the house. Make sure it's a dry day, and if possible, dry the pillows in direct sunlight! Indoors, pillows can be dried in front of the window so that they are exposed to the sun.
- You can protect floors and furniture with towels so they don't get wet from the pillows.
- Move electronics. Water is the enemy of electronics!
Step 2. Hang the pillow on a clothesline or position it so that it dries
Pillows will dry faster if there is a lot of airflow. If the pillow can't hang on a clothesline, position it so that most of its surface is exposed to air.
You can also lay your pillow down to dry it, but check it frequently to remove any lumps that may have formed during drying
Step 3. Pat and turn the pillow every hour or two
As the pillow dries, the contents will stick together. Remove the pillow every hour or two, shaking and patting to prevent the contents from clumping together. This clean pillow should feel good after it dries!
Method 3 of 3: Drying the Memory Foam Pillow
Step 1. Do not put the memory foam pillow in the dryer
Pillows made from memory foam, latex and silk do not react well to direct heat. Using a tumble dryer for this type of pillow will break up the fibers and damage the pillow.
Step 2. Gently squeeze the pillow to remove any excess water
Memory foam tends to hold a lot of water like a sponge. So, take some time and squeeze very gently so that the pillow doesn't break. Do not squeeze the memory foam pillow roughly!
Step 3. Place the pillow in a well-ventilated area
Hang the memory foam pillow on a clothesline to dry or lay it out in a well-ventilated area. Air is key to drying this type of pillow.
- If you're drying your memory foam pillow indoors, turn on a nearby fan to help dry it.
- A low-humidity day is the best time to dry your pillow quickly.
Step 4. Turn the pillow over often
Water will pool under the pillow. You can roll a towel under the pillow, but make sure the pillow doesn't absorb water from the towel. Be patient because this drying process will take some time.
Step 5. Give the pillow time to dry completely
Before re-use, make sure the pillow is completely dry to avoid the growth of bacteria or fungi. Hug the pillow tightly and feel every corner to check for damp spots.
