Cleaning a Pregnancy Pillow
Care Tips for Keeping It Fresh
Pregnancy pillows are like your trusty sidekick when you’re expecting, and keeping them fresh isn’t too tricky with a little routine care. It usually starts with knowing what your pillow’s made of. Lots come with covers you can take off and chuck in the wash, which is handy, right? Here’s how you can keep your maternity pillow feeling—and smelling—fresh as a daisy:
- Wash Regularly: Swap out pillowcases every week to dodge the dust monsters and toss the pillow itself into a wash every few months. No one likes nasty smells or itchy skin, right?
- Seasonal Maintenance: Different seasons, different headaches for your pillow. Humidity can turn it into a mold playground, so let it breathe a bit more during sticky months. When it’s dry, frequent washes help keep the dust bunnies at bay.
- Material-Specific Care: Your pillow’s fabric decides how to clean it. Polyester can handle a spin in the washer, but memory foam or latex is more like, “Handle with care please!”—think hand washing or spot cleaning. Always check that little care label for detailed instructions specific to your pillow.
| Pillow Type | How Often to Wash | Extra Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Pillowcase | Weekly | Go easy on the detergent |
| Polyester | Every 3-6 months | Suitable for machine wash |
| Memory Foam/Latex | Spot clean as necessary | Let air dry totally |
| Feather | Every 6 months | Use mild detergent, air it out |
For more info on when and how to wash that pillow, check out our feature on how often should you wash a pregnancy pillow?.
Deep Cleaning Techniques
Think of deep cleaning your pregnancy pillow as giving it a good spa day. It’s crucial after it’s been your partner for a long time. Here’s how to keep it looking good as new:
- Tackle Stains First: Before rolling up those sleeves, dab away any spots using a light detergent mixed with water. Just remember, it’s a blot, not a scrub.
- Washing Machine: If the label says your pillow can take a tumble in the machine, plop it in with some mild detergent. Use cold water on a gentle cycle and skip the fabric softeners—they’re not your pillow’s friend.
- Hand Washing: Some pillows are delicate flowers and can’t handle the machine. For those, fill your tub with warm soapy water, give it a careful swoosh around, and rinse till the water’s clear.
- Drying: After its bath, press out extra water without twisting it like a wet rag. Lay it flat on a clean towel and roll it up to soak up any leftover moisture. Then let it air dry—sunshine works great if you’ve got it!
Follow these washing and drying methods to keep that pillow comfy and ready. For details on how to wash a pregnancy pillow without damaging it, storage tips, and recommended cleaning pals, visit our handy guides on how to store a pregnancy pillow when not in use and best cleaning products for pregnancy pillows.
Stay on top of these tips to make sure your pregnancy pillow is always ready to offer you the most snug, supportive sleep, right through those exciting nine months.
How to Wash a Pregnancy Pillow
Keeping your pregnancy pillow squeaky clean helps it last longer and stay comfy. Here’s the lowdown on sorting out the cover and fluffing the inner pillow.
Washing Cover Instructions
Cleaning the cover’s a breeze. Many brands like the Momcozy Pregnancy Pillow make it easy with a removable cover you can just chuck into the washing machine—it stays soft even when it’s been through the ringer a few times (Amazon).
Steps to wash the pillow cover:
- Peek at the care label: Check those wash instructions first (Puffy). Usually, it’s cool water and steering clear of bleach.
- Toss it in the washer: Keep it cool with cold water and a gentle detergent.
- Dry it gently: Tumble dry on low. Cranking up the heat can shrink or damage it.
The Newton Pregnancy Pillow’s cover, for instance, needs a cold wash and a low tumble dry (Newton Baby).
Inner Pillow Maintenance
Taking care of the pillow’s inside varies based on the stuffing. The Momcozy model is packed with high resilience fibre that’s tough against wrinkles and bounces back well (Amazon).
If the inner pillow heads to the washer:
- Check it out: Glance at the label for do’s and don’ts.
- Cold and easy does it: Toss it in the washer on cold if it has polyester filling.
For those non-washable inners:
- Spot clean like a pro: Grab some water, a mild soap and a clean cloth, and gently scrub away any spots (Bearaby).
| Pillow Type | Washing Instructions |
|---|---|
| Momcozy Pregnancy Pillow | Machine wash (cover), cold wash (inner) |
| Newton Pregnancy Pillow | Machine wash (cover), spot clean (inner) |
| WildBird Maternity Pillow | Machine wash (cold water, polyester pearl filling) |
Stick with these steps to keep your pregnancy pillow in top shape. Fancy more tips? Have a gander at our guides on how often should you wash a pregnancy pillow and best cleaning products for pregnancy pillows. Storing your pillow right is also a must—jump over to how to store a pregnancy pillow when not in use for that.
Stain Removal Methods
Getting a stain on your pregnancy pillow can be annoying, but tackling it right away keeps the pillow looking and feeling great. Check out these two good ways to deal with stains and keep that pillow as comfy as possible.
Spot Cleaning Stains
Give spot cleaning a go if your pillow’s made of softer stuff like memory foam or latex. This neat trick helps you zap stains without dunking the whole pillow in the wash, which could be a bit harsh.
Steps for Spot Cleaning
- Mix Up a Clean Solution: Stir some mild detergent into warm water.
- Apply the Cleaner: Grab a clean cloth, get it damp with your solution, and go after the stain.
- Blot It Out: Take a dry cloth to soak up the mess, trying not to smear the stain around.
- Rinse Away: Wet another cloth with plain water to get rid of any leftover soapiness.
- Air Dry: Leave the spot to dry thoroughly to steer clear of any mold growth.
Gentle Stain Removal Techniques
For tougher stains, use methods that keep the pillow fabric safe and sound.
Recommended Products and Techniques
- Baking Soda Paste: Mix some baking soda with water to make a paste. Slap it on the stain, let it chill for 15-20 minutes, then wipe it down with something damp.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution: For stains with a touch of organic, use one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water. Put it on the stain, hang loose for a bit, then blot it dry.
- Enzyme Cleaners: Perfect when dealing with protein-y messes. Follow what the product says and give it a good rinse when you’re done.
| Technique | Steps | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Baking Soda Paste | Apply, wait, scrub, rinse | Works well on lighter stains |
| Hydrogen Peroxide Solution | Apply, pause, blot, rinse | Great for organic stains |
| Enzyme Cleaners | Follow product guidance | Excellent on protein stains |
Taking good care of your pillow will help it last way longer. If you want to clean it up really well without messing it up, check out our handy guides on washing a pregnancy pillow without ruining it and how often you should clean the pillow. And when you’re not using it, proper storage is key—find tips on how to stash your pregnancy pillow correctly.
