Last Updated on March 1, 2020 by Ecorf
Part of the steps to maintaining a clean house is to be sure all your decorative items are cleaned. From the curtains to the throw pillows, you don’t have to leave anything to chance or procrastinate the washing either. What happens when you have an “August Visitor” who gets to realize that your throw pillow is far from being clean? We bet you wouldn’t want such an embarrassing experience. So, what do you do? You need to learn how to wash throw pillows in real-time, even if you’re the busiest person on earth.
Table of Contents
What Options Do I Have to Wash Throw Pillows?
Many homeowners tend to get jittery when it comes to washing the throw pillows. Such is the case because of the assumption that the throw pillows are primarily used for neck and head support. Therefore, they might be as dirty as thought. That notwithstanding, you need to be sure that your throw pillows are clean at all times.
Washing it by hand is one of the options you can use. As many homeowners believe, the method allows you to discover the spots that are dirtier than the others. If you’re not thrilled by this or you have little time to spare, then using the washing machine might be the perfect option. We agree more with the washing machine format because it has proven to be the fastest and probably, the most effective for many homeowners.
That said, you want to discover how to wash throw pillows. We got you covered! Highlighted below are the steps you can use to bring back the shine to your throw pillows.
-
Remove and Wash the Covers Separately
Do you realize that your throw pillows are merely pillows with some covers? So, the chances are that the fabric or covers used are removable. Try and see if the covers can be removed – we presume they would.
The next step is to remove the covers of fabrics from the rest of the pillows. The idea is to wash the covers/fabrics separately because those are where the dirt lies.
-
Use Pretreatment Solution to Remove Stains
There is a likelihood that the pillow covers have some stains or soils. You have to look out for those. If you don’t, you will end up washing the throw pillow in futility. Once you spot the stains and spots on the throw pillow’s cover, you can then apply a pretreatment solution to treat it ahead of the proper washing.
The pretreatment can be done by applying a color-safe prewash spray to the throw pillow’s cover. For faster and most effects, you have to rub the pretreatment spray into the stains/spots on the throw pillow’s cover using a damp cloth.
-
Machine Wash in Warm Water
It’s now time to wash your throw pillow. Now, the options you have are either to wash only the cover or to wash it and the pillow as well. Washing the pillow is advised only when you find out it’s smelling or is damp. Otherwise, use vinegar and water solution to scrub the surface.
When washing in the machine, ensure that you maintain a moderate temperature – preferably the gentle-wash cycle. Also, use a mild detergent and warm water for better effects. Worthy of note is that detergents for baby clothes or delicate fabrics are the best pick for washing your throw pillow. Moreover, ensure you’re using a front loading washing machine for the job.
-
Hang to Dry
The throw pillows and the covers are now ready to be dried. The rule of thumb is to remove them when the washing machine completes the gentle-wash cycle. Once clear of the machine, bring out the covers and the throw pillows and spread them in a ventilated area in your home. Doing so aids in the removal of water from the throw pillows and the covers, just as it makes the drying faster.
If, on the other hand, the care label on the throw pillow specifies dryer-safe, then you may want to dry them in the dryer. Also, remember to tumble dry on low heat for maximum effect.
-
Fluff the Throw Pillows
The last step on how to wash throw pillows is to fluff the pillows as a way to reshaping it. You can do that in the dryer with no heat, or you wait until they have been removed from the dryer. Fluffing the throw pillows immediately they are dry helps to maintain their original forms. Also, you may consider using a few dry balls to reshape the pillows.
Maintenance Tips for Throw Pillows
The fact that the throw pillows are used for supporting the neck and the head might mean that they are not used all the time. That also means that they don’t get dirty as often as other decorative items in the room. Nevertheless, you want to be sure that your throw pillows won’t need cleaning for a long time. Having in mind that regular cleaning can reduce the lifespan of the pillows, you want to do something about it.
Here are some maintenance tips you can use to maintain the longevity of your throw pillows:
-
Do A Spot Test
You don’t just decide to wash your throw pillows. You have to check for clues, such as spots and stains. The general rule is to use a white towel dipped into a solution. Blot it against the surface of the throw pillow and check for colour transfers. If there are any, then the throw pillows need washing. If there are none, then you may have to suspend the wash for some time.
-
Understand the Proper Cleaning Method
The rule of thumb is to check for the manufacturer’s care label. Some of the instructions might specify hand washing, while others may suggest spot cleaning or dry cleaning. Whichever option the care label specifies, ensure you follow it to the later, and with mild detergent too.
-
Dry the Throw Pillows As Quickly As Possible
The last but not the least is to dry the throw pillows in a well-ventilated area immediately after washing. Except the manufacturer’s care label suggests drying, you would spread the throw pillows in areas where they can dry faster.
Wash Your Throw Pillows
Washing your throw pillows make it ideal to have a serene atmosphere in your upholstery as against the dampness that comes with overused throw pillows. When you’re ready to wash yours, we hope the ideas we just highlighted would help you.