Can You Put Pillows in the Dryer?

Like many people, you may wash your bed pillows every so often. Washing pillows can be helpful when you want to freshen up your bedding, get rid of stains, re-fluff the pillows, or even help prevent allergic reactions by removing dust mites. Whether you machine- or hand-wash your pillows, you might wonder how to best dry them. We explore which pillows can go in the dryer, as well as other methods for drying pillows.

Is It Safe to Put Pillows in the Dryer?

Many types of pillows can be safely dried in a dryer, but some pillows shouldn’t go in the dryer. For example, most pillows with polyester fill can be machine dried, while most memory foam pillows cannot. Always check the label on your pillow before putting it in a dryer to confirm that drying it in that way is safe.

What Types of Pillows Can Go in the Dryer?

Some of the most common pillow types can safely go in the dryer. However, be sure to check your pillow’s label before washing and drying it, because instructions can vary due to differences in construction or materials.

• Down alternative or polyester: Most down alternative and polyester pillows can be dried in a dryer, as long as the dryer is set on a “low” or “air dry” setting. If your down alternative pillow has a removable cover, check its label or the manufacturer’s website to see if the cover should be washed in a different way than the fill insert, the inner part of the pillow. 
• Down: Some, but not all, down pillows can be machine-washed and dried. Often, the dryer must be set to “low” or “air dry” when drying a down pillow. Read the labels carefully, since the type of down and the fabric used in the pillow’s cover determine how it must be washed.
• Body pillows: Body pillows are often filled with down alternative or polyester and, as a result, are machine-washable and dryable. But, their large sizes may make drying them in a home dryer a bad idea, if the dryer isn’t big enough to provide adequate space for the pillow to move around in. If your body pillow says it can be machine-dried, consider using a larger, industrial-sized dryer available at a laundromat to ensure the pillow can move around freely in the dryer.

What Types of Pillows Shouldn’t Go in the Dryer?

If a pillow’s label advises against putting the pillow in a dryer, follow that instruction. Some types of pillows may shrink or become damaged in a dryer.

• Foam: Virtually all memory foam and polyfoam pillows cannot be safely machine-washed or dried, since water and heat may damage the foam. If a foam pillow has a removable cover, the cover may be washable and dryable. Otherwise, foam pillows should be spot cleaned with a tiny amount of water and gentle detergent, then air-dried.
• Latex: Like foam, latex generally isn’t safe to machine-wash or dry. Instead, follow the pillow’s label instructions, which may involve handwashing and air drying or spot cleaning. If the latex pillow has a removable cover, check if that can be machine-washed and dried separate from the pillow insert or fill.
• Down: Although many down pillows can be machine-washed and dried, some cannot without risking damage. In these cases, the pillows should be dry cleaned or spot cleaned, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Buckwheat: The buckwheat hulls that fill buckwheat pillows usually shouldn’t be washed or dried. Instead, with most buckwheat pillows, there’s an option to remove the fill and wash only the pillow’s cover. Whether the pillow’s cover can be machine-washed and dried or must be hand washed and air dried depends on what it’s made of.
• Down alternative or polyester: While most down alternative pillows can be machine-washed and dried, some cannot. These pillows are usually made of polyester or other synthetic materials, but they may include a mix of other types of fill or have a cover that would be damaged in the dryer.
• Wool: Wool pillows are less common than other types, but they do exist and most shouldn’t be put in a washer or dryer. Manufacturers of wool pillows often recommend setting the pillows out in the sun to refresh them. Spot cleaning or gently handwashing and then air drying may be another cleaning option for wool pillows.

How to Dry Your Pillows in the Dryer: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to dry your pillow in the dryer:

• Step 1: Wash your pillow according to its label instructions. If you hand-wash the pillow, press as much water out of it as possible before putting it into the dryer. If you machine-wash the pillow, the spin cycle of the washer should remove water from the pillow for you.
• Step 2: Place the pillow into the dryer. Only put one pillow in the dryer at a time. Do not put anything else in the dryer with the pillow, like bedding or clothing.
• Step 3: Add a dryer ball to the dryer, if you have one, then shut the dryer door. Dryer balls are usually made of wool or plastic. They can help items dry faster and may help fluff your pillow.
• Step 4: Set the dryer to tumble dry. Select either air dry or low heat for the temperature, depending on the instructions for your specific pillow. On some dryers, low heat is called “delicate.” Turn the dryer on.
• Step 5: When the drying cycle ends, check your pillow. If it still feels wet or damp, remove any lint from the lint trap, then put the pillow back in the dryer and turn the dryer back on using the same setting as before. Continue checking the pillow after each cycle and starting a new one until the pillow is dry.
• Step 6: Remove your pillow from the dryer. Once a drying cycle ends and your pillow feels dry, take it out of the dryer promptly.

How Long Do Pillows Take to Dry?

The length of time it takes your pillow to dry in the dryer depends on its materials and construction, how your dryer operates, and the temperature setting the pillow’s instructions recommend. Many types of pillows require multiple drying cycles to fully dry. Pillows generally take more time to dry than clothes because they are larger and must be dried with lower heat.

Should You Put a Tennis Ball in the Dryer With Pillows?

Many people online claim that the trick to drying pillows in the dryer is adding a tennis ball. Adding a tennis ball to your dryer when you dry a pillow serves the same purpose as adding a dryer ball, which many pillow manufacturers recommend. Having a ball in the dryer with your pillow can help it dry faster and fluff the pillow.

If you already have dryer balls, you can use those when you dry pillows and don’t need to buy tennis balls instead. But, if you have tennis balls already and do not have dryer balls, it’s likely safe to put one in the dryer with a pillow. If you do put a tennis ball in your dryer, make sure it is a clean, unused tennis ball. Also, go for the standard, bright yellow-green option. Those that have been dyed another color may have their color wear off on your pillow.

Does a Dryer Sanitize Pillows?

Many blog posts online claim that machine washing and drying a pillow can kill dust mites, bacteria, and other germs. These claims don’t appear to have been scientifically studied, but research on blankets and duvets suggests they may be true. Both washing and drying on their own have been found to kill dust mites in blankets and duvets, with higher temperatures killing more mites.

Dust mites flourish in damp, humid spaces. For this reason, it’s important to completely dry your pillows before returning them to your bed.

Does Putting Pillows in the Dryer Fluff Them?

Many people find that machine washing and drying a pillow helps keep it fluffy or even fluffs it back up if it has become flattened. Whether or not machine-washing and drying your pillow fluffs it likely depends on its materials and construction. Including a dryer ball or tennis ball when you dry your pillow may also help fluff it up.

How Often Should You Wash and Dry Your Pillows?

Check your pillow’s label or the manufacturer’s website to see how often they recommend you wash and dry your pillow. Different companies may provide different recommendations. If you cannot find recommendations on how frequently you should wash your specific pillows, consider washing them two to four times per year.

Still have questions? Ask our community!

Join our Sleep Care Community — a trusted hub of product specialists, sleep health professionals, and people just like you. Whether you’re searching for the perfect mattress or need expert sleep advice, we’ve got you covered. Get personalized guidance from the experts who know sleep best.