If you’re anything like me, approaching the end of your pregnancy, your pregnancy pillow is well-used, to say the least. In the same way, we wash our bedding to keep it hygienic and sanitary; you may want to do the same with your pregnancy pillow and are likely to have some questions about how best to do so.
So, how do you wash a pregnancy pillow? It is always recommended to follow the manufacturer’s guidance when washing a pregnancy pillow. If your pillow has a removable covering, you will most likely be able to machine wash it separately; however, if the cover is not removable, the best way to clean your pregnancy pillow will be to hand wash and spot clean problem areas.
Pregnancy pillows are so versatile; they can be used during and post-pregnancy, and so it is likely that at some point, you will need to wash yours.
While there are so many different pregnancy pillows available, how to wash them differs only slightly between brands, and pregnancy pillows can be roughly categorized into two categories: spot clean only and removable cover that can be machine washed.
In fact, this may have even informed your decision when purchasing your pregnancy pillow. It certainly did for me!
I tend to spill things, and I do like to dabble with wearing self-tanning products from time to time, so purchasing a pregnancy pillow with a removable case (like bbhugme) was a no-brainer; for me!
If you are considering using your pregnancy pillow when your baby is born, you will most likely find that the need to wash your pregnancy pillow presents itself all the more frequently!
However, if your pillow is spot clean only, fear not, for included in this article are the best tips and tricks for how to hand wash/ spot clean your pregnancy pillow so that it is as good as new!
Why You Shouldn’t Machine Wash Your Pregnancy Pillow
Handwashing or removing the cover to wash your pregnancy pillow may seem like a faff, and whilst you may be tempted to chuck your pregnancy pillow in its entirety in the washing machine and hope for the best, I would encourage you to think twice before doing so.
Now, there are a few factors to consider, the first being the damage machine washing may cause to the pillow itself.
To Protect The Pillows Structure
After all, pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to provide additional support and comfort to expectant mothers; if the structure and integrity of the pillow is damaged or altered by machine washing, the pillow may no longer be as effective.
To Protect Your Washing Machine
Also, there is also the potential risk that your pregnancy pillow – if not designed to be machine washed – could cause damage to your washing machine itself!
If your pillow breaks or bursts inside the drum of your washing machine, it could have a dire impact and even result in a broken washer.
For Hygiene Reasons
The final factor to consider is that using a washing machine to wash your pillow is all very well and good, but you will need to ensure that you have invested the necessary time and effort into drying your pillow properly to prevent the growth of mold, bacteria and avoid that horrible damp smell!
This may have negative health implications for you and your baby.
Now, whilst this is the worst-case scenario, I think that it is always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s guidance as to how best to wash your pillow.
If guidance is that it is safe to machine wash your pregnancy pillow – go for it! Just be make sure to dry it fully following the wash cycle and enjoy the added benefit of that freshly washed scent post-wash!
However, if your pillow is spot-clean or handwash only, we have some great advice for how to keep your pregnancy pillow clean, hygienic, and smelling fresh!
The flowing sections will outline how to machine wash your pregnancy pillow and also the best way to spot clean/ handwash your pillow!
How To Wash A Pregnancy Pillow
When machine washing your pregnancy pillow, we would always advise following the manufactures instructions. If your pillow has a removable cover, take it off your pillow to wash separately, there may be no need to wash the pillow itself – just like the ones you sleep on!
DISCLAIMER: If you are choosing to machine wash your pregnancy pillow, you do so at your own risk. Everlasting Occasion takes no responsibility for the outcome of your pillow. This post is for information purposes only, and we would strongly advise following the manufacturer’s instructions and removing the cover and only washing that.
Step 1 – Remove the cover from your pregnancy pillow; you will only be washing the cover.
Step 2 – Apply some mild laundry detergent to heavily stained areas. I have also found that using bicarbonate of soda mixed with a little water to make a paste is a natural and effective way of removing stubborn stains. Leave for a few minutes to allow the substance to begin to work its magic on the stains.
Step 3 – Place the cover of your pregnancy pillow into the drum of your washing machine; this can be as part of a normal load of similarly colored fabrics; just be sure not to overload your washer as this can cause damage, not only to the pillow cover but also to the machine itself.
Step 4 – Wash with a mild detergent and perhaps a gentle fabric softener as per the manufacturer’s instructions. We would always recommend a warm, gentle cycle for this part of the process.
Step 5 – When the cycle has finished, remove the cover from the drum and leave it to dry in a warm place. If you want to tumble dry your pillow cover, read the manufactures guidance as to whether it is safe to do so and do this at your own risk. Sometimes this can cause the pillowcase to shrink.
Step 6 – Put the pillow cover back onto your pregnancy pillow and enjoy that freshly washed scent and feeling!
How To Spot Clean A Pregnancy Pillow
If you need to handwash or spot clean your pregnancy pillow, this can be done using a damp cloth and a mild soap or detergent. It is important that the areas that you have spot cleaned are left to dry out fully before using your pregnancy pillow again.
Step 1 – Make a solution of diluted soapy, warm water in a bowl. You could also use laundry detergent or stain remover.
Step 2 – Dip your cloth into the warm soapy liquid and ring out the excess water.
Step 3 – Using gentle dabbing motions (so as not to damage the outer material of your pregnancy pillow), apply the soapy formula to the stained areas of your pregnancy pillow.
Step 4 – Repeat these steps until you are satisfied that the stains have been well removed.
Step 5 – Use a dry cloth and a blotting motion to remove any excess water that your pregnancy pillow has absorbed.
Step 6 – Leave your freshly washed pregnancy pillow in a warm place to dry fully – both inside and outside.
How Often Should You Wash Your Pregnancy Pillow?
You should wash your pregnancy pillow as often as you feel it is necessary or as and when your pillow is becomes soiled. It is advised, by the Sleep Foundation, that we should wash our bedding once per week, so following suit with your pregnancy pillow may be a good rule of thumb to follow, that is, if you have the time and capacity to do so!
Many people, whilst unlikely to admit it, never get around to washing their pregnancy pillow. And hey, each to their own!
How often you wash your pregnancy pillow is up to you, it is a personal preference and doesn’t need to be an arduous task.
If you wash your pillow frequently, you may notice some slight decoloration to the fabric, in the same way, you might expect when clothing or bedsheets are washed frequently.
Personally, I wash the cover of my pregnancy pillow around once per month and spot clean any problem areas in between washes.
How To Dry Your Pregnancy Pillow After Washing
The best way to dry a pregnancy pillow is to squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible before leaving it in a warm place, such as an airing cupboard, to dry out fully before using.
If your pillow is tumble-dryer friendly, follow the guidance of the manufacturer to do so safely and in a way that won’t cause damage to your pillow.
After spot-cleaning your pillow, it should not be sopping wet, so drying time should be relatively short!
For areas where perhaps heavy staining had occurred and a more soapy solution was needed to clean it, you may choose to use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process for those particularly tricky areas.
Lastly
So there you have it.
How to, and not to, wash your pregnancy pillow.
For the most part, it’s not a good idea to machine wash. Trust me; it’s not worth the risk and spot cleaning is much more practical and will save you time.
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Hey, I’m Allison – a recent bride, an expectant mother and the chief editor here at Everlasting Occasion. Here I document all the knowledge and experience I accumulated while researching and planning my dream wedding and ahead of our new baby. Here, I try to answer those many questions couples have when planning their dream wedding, while equally, helping expectant parents ahead of their new arrival!