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A pregnancy pillow is more than a pillow. It is a comfort tool. It supports the belly, back, and hips. It makes rest easier. But it also gets dirty like your beddings. Sweat, drool, or food crumbs can pile up on the pillow. Even baby spit can end up on it. Washing keeps it fresh. It also helps the pillow last longer. This article explains how to wash a pregnancy pillow in simple steps. Steps that every parent can learn and do. It will show safe ways to clean covers and inserts. It will also share tips to keep the pillow fresh between washes.
Can You Wash a Pregnancy Pillow?
Pregnancy pillows come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Some are designed with removable covers. These are made to be easily tossed into the washing machine, while others have inserts that require a gentler touch. Different process depends on different fibers and fillings. The insert may handle a machine wash. Some may need hand washing in a large tub or work best with simple spot cleaning. The care label is the guide here. It explains exactly how that pillow should be handled.
When machine washing is allowed, gentle cycles and mild detergent are the norm. This helps protect the fabric and filling. A front-loading washer is often the best choice for larger pillows. This is because it avoids twisting or squeezing the pillow too tightly.
For pillows that cannot go in the machine, here are the go-to. Spot cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap. It’s commonly used to remove stains. It is best to avoid damaging the material. Freshening the pillow in sunlight helps keep odors away. It also extends its life.
Why Cleaning Your Pregnancy Pillow Is Important?
A pregnancy pillow has continuous contact with your skin every night. Over time, it collects sweat and oils. It can also gather dust, hair, and crumbs. Sometimes spills happen. All of this makes the pillow less clean. If not washed, it may even cause skin irritation.
Keeping the pillow clean helps you rest better. A fresh pillow also smells nicer, making your sleep feel lighter. Washing keeps it safe, soft, and ready for use every night. This is especially true for larger pillows, like a U-shaped pregnancy pillow. These types of pillows wrap around your whole body and touch more areas at once.
Consider This Before You Wash Your Pregnancy Pillow
Pregnancy pillows are large and often filled with special stuffing. Before washing, think about the size of your washer and dryer. Standard machines may not fit a full-body pillow well. Larger machines may be safer. This includes, front-loading washer or a laundromat.
Check the pillow for zippers, seams, or weak spots. This could cause a tear during washing. Always remove the cover if possible. Wash it separately. Using a mild detergent helps protect the fabric and filling. Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals. This can wear down the material. Planning makes cleaning easier and helps keep the pillow safe for longer use.
Common Pregnancy Pillow Materials
Covers
- Cotton and bamboo covers are common. They are soft, breathable, and easy to wash.
- Polyester covers dry fast. It helps resist wrinkles.
- Removable covers are the easiest to care for.
Fills
- Polyester fiberfill is light and often machine safe.
- Memory foam gives strong support but usually needs spot cleaning.
- Beads and buckwheat hulls. This material should not be machine-washed.
Always check the label to know the right way to wash them. Some brands of pregnancy pillows are convenient. They offer options with removable, easy-to-clean covers.
How to Wash a Pregnancy Pillow?
Washing a pregnancy pillow may feel tricky at first. The size makes it harder than a regular pillow. But breaking it into steps makes it simple:
- Check the label first. This tells whether the pillow or just the cover can go in the washer.
- Remove the cover. Wash on a gentle cycle. Make sure that you use cold or hot water. Use mild detergent.
- Clean the insert. Use a large front-loading washer. Remember, only use it if the machine is safe to use. If not, spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Dry fully. Air drying in the sun is good for disinfecting and avoiding bad smells. You can also tumble dry on low heat if sun drying is not applicable. Add dryer balls to keep it fluffy.
- Fluff and air out. Once dry, give the pillow a good shake to bring back its shape.
These steps keep the pillow fresh, safe, and ready to use every night.
How to Wash Pregnancy Pillow in Washing Machine?
Some pregnancy pillows can go in the washer, but not all. Always check the care label first. A large front-loading washer is the best choice. It can take pillows of any size, even the large ones.
Here are simple steps:
- Remove the cover and wash it separately.
- Place the pillow in the washer by itself.
- Use cold or warm water with a gentle cycle.
- Add mild detergent. Avoid bleach and fabric softener.
- Rinse well to make sure no soap is left inside.
When done, move the pillow to the dryer. Use low heat and add dryer balls or tennis balls to keep the filling fluffy. If drying outside, place it in the sun and turn it often until fully dry.
Washing Temperature for Pregnancy Pillow
The right water temperature helps keep a pregnancy pillow safe. Hot water can shrink the cover or damage the filling inside. Cold or warm water is best for most pillows. Cold water protects fabrics. It also keeps colors bright. Warm water, on the other hand, helps remove sweat. It also removes light stains without harming the pillow.
Follow the care label before washing. If it says cold only, don’t use warm. If it allows warm, avoid going too hot. Using the right temperature helps protect and clean the pillows.
Deep Cleaning Techniques
Normal washing for a pregnancy pillow is sometimes not enough. Occasionally, it needs more than a quick wash. Deep cleaning helps when the pillow has strong smells. Heavy stains, or those that have not been washed for a long time, can also be fixed by it.
- Hand wash in a tub:
- Fill a bathtub with lukewarm water. Use mild detergent.
- Submerge the pillow gently.
- Squeeze water through the pillow. Don’t twist or wring.
- Drain and refill with clean water. Use the clean water to rinse.
- Keep rinsing until the soap is gone.
- Baking soda freshen-up:
- Use baking soda. Just sprinkle on the surface.
- Wait for 30 minutes.
- Shake or vacuum it off.
- This removes odors and keeps the pillow fresh.
- Sunlight airing:
- Place the pillow in direct sunlight.
- Wait for a few hours.
- Sunlight kills germs and helps remove odors naturally.
Deep cleaning can be rarely done. It just keeps the pillow feeling new and safe for use.
Additional Care Tips
Taking small steps each day helps a pregnancy pillow last longer. It also makes washing easier when the time comes.
- Use a cover: A removable cover protects the pillow. It can also be washed often.
- Fluff daily: Shake the pillow each morning. This is to keep its shape.
- Air out often: Place it near a sunny window. You can also place it outside for fresh air.
- Clean spills fast: Wipe with a damp cloth right away. Do this before stains set for easier cleaning.
- Rotate use: If you have more than one pillow, switch them. This is to reduce wear.
- Store safely: Keep it in a dry place when not in use. Just so you can avoid dust or mold.
These habits help keep the pillow soft, clean, and ready to bring comfort every night.
Seasonal Care Tips
Pregnancy pillows need a little extra care that depending on the weather. Different seasons bring different cleaning methods. The way you wash or air them out may change with the weather.
- Summer:
- Wash the cover as frequently as possible.
- Sweat and heat can cause odor.
- Use light and breathable covers. Use cotton or bamboo.
- Rainy season:
- Make sure the pillow is fully dry.
- Molds are common in damp weather.
- Air dry indoors with a fan. The sun is not commonly out.
- Winter:
- Use warm. Don’t use hot water for washing.
- Airing in the sun on cool days. This helps keep it fresh.
- Store in a dry room. This is to avoid dampness.
- Spring:
- Take the pillow outside for a “sun bath”.
- Sunlight removes odors and refreshes the filling.
Adjusting care by season keeps the pillow fresh. It also keeps it safe and long-lasting all year round.
Conclusion
A pregnancy pillow is more than just a pillow. It is a comfort tool. It helps parents rest better during pregnancy. Keeping it clean makes a big difference. Washing removes sweat, dust, and stains. Drying the right way stops odors and mold. Small habits can also help it last longer. Using covers, fluffing, and airing are one of those habits. This also helps pillows stay fresh longer.
When a pillow gets too flat, lumpy, or hard to clean, it may be time for a new one. Pregnancy pillows give strong support. They are also easy to care for. For more choices, explore the best pregnancy pillow collection.
Clean pillows mean better comfort. Better comfort means better sleep. And better sleep gives parents the energy. The energy they need for pregnancy and beyond.
