Pillow-care tips: How to wash your pillow

How To Care For Your SuiteDreams Pillow

If you get your regular eight hours of sleep a night, you spend one-third of your life in bed. So why risk your sleep hygiene? Don’t just get a restful night’s slumber — read our pillow maintenance guide and wake up refreshed by creating a cosier setting. 

Caring for your SuiteDreams Pillow the right way

If you’ve returned home from holiday and don’t just miss the destination but the comforting sleep a premium hotel consistently delivers, you’re not alone. That plush, cloud-like feeling of hotel bedding isn’t reserved solely for getaways — it results from attentive care and thoughtful upkeep. By following some easy-to-follow pillow hygiene tips, you can enhance your sleep quality, minimise wear and tear to prolong the lifespan of your pillow and create a comfortable setting reminiscent of your Meriton Suites stay.

Why learning how to clean pillows is the secret to getting a quality sleep

A clean pillow retains its structure, breathability, and comfort. That gentle support under your head? It’s the difference between tossing and tranquillity. Here’s why you should show some pillow care:

You will enjoy healthier sleep

Each time you lay your head against your pillow, you’re not just resting on cushioned comfort; you’re also transferring oils and sweat naturally present on your skin, dead skin cells, residue from makeup and skincare, and other bacteria onto your pillow. Without following proper pillow hygiene tips, an unwashed pillow means you’re potentially sleeping with a multitude of germs, dust mites, and even mould. 

While many people may be unaffected at first, allergy sufferers may find it especially disruptive to their sleep. This debris build-up could also be why you sometimes wake up with a new breakout or blemish. Regular cleaning reduces these risks, promoting a cleaner sleep surface, clearer breathing and deeper rest.

It prolongs the life of your pillow

Quality bedding is an investment — after all, it supports your head and neck and helps you maintain proper sleep posture. High-quality pillows, like Meriton Suites’ SuiteDreams Pillows, offer reliable support when you’ve shown a little pillow care. Regular washing, fluffing, and drying can help prevent them from staining, yellowing, and flattening, extending their usable life and giving you a more restful sleep for longer.

General pillow-care tips: How to care for your SuiteDreams Pillow

Pillows that sag or have a filling that has condensed don’t provide adequate head, neck and posture support. Here are some essential tips on how to clean your pillow, which will make it feel like new again:

Fluff daily: Give your pillow a good fluff every day to maintain its shape and distribute the filling evenly. This helps prevent lumps, maintains its comfort factor, and provides adequate head, neck, and spine support.

Wash regularly: Pillows should be washed every 3-6 months. Check the care label for specific washing instructions. Use a mild detergent and wash on a gentle cycle. Ensure the pillow is fully dry before use to prevent mould or mildew.

Use a pillow protector: Invest in a pillow protector to shield against sweat, dirt, and oils. Wash the protector every 1-2 weeks along with your pillowcase.

Air them out: Allow your pillow to air out in the sun or in a well-ventilated area on a flat surface two to four times a month to eliminate any trapped moisture and keep it smelling fresh.

Replace when necessary: Pillows lose their support over time. A good rule of thumb is to replace your pillow every 1-2 years, or when it no longer provides the necessary comfort for a good night’s sleep.

Spot clean stains: For minor spills or stains, spot clean your pillow with a damp cloth and mild soap as soon as they appear or when you first notice them. Avoid soaking it unless you are washing it entirely.

How often should you clean your pillows?

Every pillow is different, requiring you to follow the care instructions listed on the pillow’s tag. While it depends on how you sleep, the general time frames you should follow include:

• Washing: Every 3–6 months
• Airing out: 2 to 4 times a month
• Flipping the pillow’s sleep surface: Nightly

Signs it’s time for a wash:

• Visible yellowing or staining
• Persistent odour
• Increased feeling of allergy symptoms
• Flattening or uneven shape

Step-by-step: How to wash your SuiteDreams Pillow

Looking for the best pillow care tips? Start by checking the care label for material and manufacturer-specific instructions. While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, these general guidelines can help extend your pillow’s life and keep it fresh and supportive for longer.

• Wash your pillow every 3–6 months
• Only wash no more than two pillows at a time in the same cycle
• Use a delicate or gentle cycle
• Use a mild liquid detergent, avoiding fabric softeners or bleach
• Use a warm (not hot) wash cycle, which will help kill the germs/dust mites and bring out the grime
• Ensure a gentle, short spin cycle and air dry the pillow in the sunshine on top of a clothesline to ensure it maintains its shape while drying
• Do not tumble dry or iron
• Seek the professional services of a dry cleaner for more intensive cleaning

Dust mites find their way into beds, no matter how clean you are. Even if you can’t see their effects, they’re still present, so washing your pillow is important. We recommend washing your pillow to give it longevity, keep it smelling fresh, and feel good. Leaving a pillow in the sunshine can also provide great benefits.

How often should you change your SuiteDreams Pillow?

There is no definite date when it’s time to start looking for a new pillow. Generally, it depends on the cumulative effect of how it has been treated and used throughout its life. The key questions to ask to know if it’s time to replace your pillows include:

• Are they comfortable?
• Does the pillow smell?
• Are there any stains on the pillow?
• Has it lost its shape and support?
• Are you suffering from neck pain?
• Are you a hot sleeper? Or live in a humid climate?

We find that pillows typically last 18 months to 2 years on average. A good indicator of when it’s time to move on to a new pillow is when it looks dirty and doesn’t spring back when you fold it in half. More importantly, your pillow will need replacing due to hygiene issues and general wear and tear before it starts to impact the level of support it can continue to provide. 

Replace and renew your pillow for a Meriton Suites’ quality sleep

While nothing lasts forever, including your pillow, the effects of an old, unsupportive pillow can continue to live on. Regular washing, using a pillow case and pillow protector and following our pillow care tips offer the best way to maximise its lifespan.

If you’re ready to upgrade to a newer model that’s clean and maintains its support, don’t just look for any bedding. Discover the range of pillows and pillow protectors that have made Meriton Suites hotels a destination for premium comfort. What are you waiting for? Shop our exclusive SuiteDreams collection online for your whole family and sleep well!