How to Wash Throw Pillows Without Ruining the Fabric
26.07.2026
To wash throw pillows, first check the fabric care tag for the upholstery cleaning code: W means water-based cleaner, S means solvent only, WS means either, and X means vacuum only (no liquid). Using the wrong solvent can ruin the fabric. For machine-washable inserts, use cold water, a gentle cycle, and low heat.
What you'll need
- The pillow's care tag (find the upholstery code first)
- A mild liquid detergent, fragrance-free if you're sensitive
- A dedicated solvent-based upholstery cleaner (only if the tag says S or WS)
- Two clean white cloths or microfiber towels
- A soft brush or an old toothbrush for spot treatment
- A mesh laundry bag (protects covers in a shared building machine)
- A drying rack or a couple of towels for air-drying near a radiator
Step by step
- Read the code. Check the tag on the pillow cover and the insert separately. If it says X, skip to vacuuming only. If there's no tag, treat it as X and test any cleaner on a hidden seam first.
- Unzip and separate. Many covers unzip from the insert. Wash them separately so the insert doesn't clump.
- Spot-treat marks. For a W or WS code, dab a small amount of detergent mixed with cool water onto a white cloth and blot the stain from the outside in. For an S code, use only the solvent cleaner, following its label. Never soak.
- Machine-wash washable covers. Put them in a mesh bag, use cold water on gentle, and a small amount of detergent. Wash two at a time to balance the drum.
- Wash the insert if it's synthetic. Polyester-fill inserts usually handle a cold gentle cycle. Feather and down inserts need extra rinses and low heat, and often do better at a laundromat with larger machines.
- Dry low and slow. Tumble on low with a couple of clean tennis balls to keep fill fluffy, or air-dry on a rack. In a small apartment, a rack near a warm radiator speeds things up. Make sure inserts are fully dry inside before you re-cover them, or they'll smell musty.
- Re-zip and fluff. Put covers back on while the insert is bone-dry and knead the pillow back into shape.
What NOT to do
- Don't put liquid on an X-code fabric. Water rings on microfiber and some velvets are permanent once they set.
- Don't use a water-based cleaner on an S-code pillow. Solvent-only fabrics can watermark, shrink, or lose their nap.
- Don't machine-dry down inserts on high heat. It scorches the fill and leaves a smell you can't wash out.
- Don't dry pillows directly on a hot steam radiator. Direct contact can scorch fabric and is a fire risk in a small unit. Keep them a few inches away on a rack.
- Don't over-wet the insert. A soaked feather core takes days to dry in a humid apartment and can mildew.
When to call a pro
DIY handles surface marks and washable covers well. But if you're dealing with a microfiber water ring, a set-in stain that's already been scrubbed, or a lingering odor deep in the fill, home methods often make it worse before they make it better, and delicate or solvent-only fabrics are easy to damage for good. If your throw pillows are part of a larger deep-clean or you'd rather not risk an expensive cover, book apartment cleaning with CleanWhale and let someone handle the tricky fabrics.
FAQ
Can I wash throw pillows without removing the cover?
Only if both the cover and insert share a W or WS code and the whole pillow is labeled machine-washable. Otherwise, unzip and treat them separately so you don't force a solvent-only cover through a water cycle.
How do I get an odor out of a pillow I can't wash?
For an X-code pillow, vacuum it, then air it out by an open window if you have one. Sprinkling baking soda, letting it sit, and vacuuming it off can help with light smells. Deep odors usually need professional treatment.
How often should I wash throw pillows?
Wash removable covers every one to two months, more often if you sleep against them or have pets. Inserts need refreshing two to three times a year.
What if there's no care tag at all?
Treat it as the most delicate option: vacuum only, and test any cleaner on a hidden seam before touching the visible fabric. When in doubt, don't apply liquid.
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