How to Clean Bath Pillow?

Pondering how to clean your bath pillow and get it back to the comfy and silk shape it was in before? It can be disappointing to prepare getting into your bath tub only to realize you have a dirty, mold or mildew pillow on it.

Luckily, you are reading the right article because we unveil great inexpensive ways on how to do so. Here are some key factors to consider regarding bath pillows:

Can you Wash Machine a Bath Pillow?

Bath pillows come in different materials like the quilted air pillow and the ordinary pillow with cases. With the quilted air pillow, they come with washing bags which can be cleaned by a machine without damaging the air bags on them.

This means you will need to insert the pillow inside the washing bag before placing it in the washing machine. After placing it in the bag, simply put it inside the washing machine and wash.

After the procedure, remove it from the bag and simply dry. Also note that some of these pillows are connected by screws. It is advised to follow manufacturer’s instructions while removing the screws before washing.

On the other hand, ordinary bath pillows with cases are likewise easy to clean. You can start by removing the cases and soaking them both in hot water, then run them fully in a washing cycle and lastly dry.

If it is made of soft sponge, then use another sponge and cleaning solution to easily scrub off the mildew and then dry.

Remember to also clean the areas on the tub, where the pillows rest, if not the whole tub itself. This will ensure not dirt remains to cloud on the freshly cleaned pillows.

How Often should you Wash a Bath Pillow?

Generally, bath pillows should be changed two to four times a year.

Bath pillows are washed and replaced to mainly get rid of mold and mildew which thrive in warm conditions. Owing the fact that pillows come in different material and forms, the topic on how often they should be washed or even replaced has been a puzzle to many.

However, this depends on various factors like how often the bath tub pillow is used, the kind of material used for the pillow and even the number of people using the bath pillow.

How often the bath tub and the pillow is used determines how often the pillow should be washed or replaced. This is simply because if a bath pillow is used more often then it will automatically be cleaned often too.

Material used is also a big factor contributing to this. The softer the material is the more likely the pillow will be replaced often, whereas, the harder the material the less likely the pillow will be replaced often.

If a pillow is used by more than one person, it will get replaced more than a pillow used by an individual. All these factors lead to determining the replacement of the bath pillow.

How to Clean Mildew of Bath Pillow

Mildew are fungi that thrive due to wet or steamy conditions. Mildew form mold, making it the early stages of mold.

If the mildew is not cleaned from the pillows, they develop to mold, which can cause skin sickness and even asthma diseases. The good news is, mildew can easily be cleaned.

1. Using natural ways like vinegar and baking soda

This is considered the old school way of cleaning. It is easy and inexpensive. The main ingredients are baking soda and vinegar which are mixed together to form a paste like substance. The paste is used as a cleaning agent for stubborn mold.

Begin by removing the pillow from your bath tub, gently apply the solution to the pillow and wait patiently for 10 minutes.

Gently scrub the paste against the pillow using a sponge until the mold is off. For any stubborn mildew, scrub with a toothbrush as the bristles will most likely reach them.

Use a clean wet cloth to rinse the pillow and dry it after. Air drying and sun drying is recommended as it helps to eradicate bacteria, unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise. Ensure the tub is also clean before returning the pillow on it.

2. Bleaching Agents

This is an easy and effective way of eradicating mold or mildew from your bath pillows. The main ingredients are a detergent of your choice, water and bleach, preferably oxygen bleach.

Mix the detergent in water, whether cold or warm, and add the bleach. Use the mixture by applying it on the pillow and a sponge to scrub off the mold. You could use a toothbrush to reach the difficult spots like the linings on the pillow.

Rinse the pillow using a clean wet towel or cloth before sun drying it. Again, make sure the tub is clean before returning the pillow on it.

3. Machine Washing

Yes, some bath pillows can be machine washed! Pillows made of polyester and feather pillows can go through mild or gentle cycle in the washing machine.

Simply set the washing machine in a gentle cycle and use mild or less delicate detergent or shampoo to wash. If the manufacturer states that a cleaning bag should be used, be sure to follow the instructions as some pillows come with washing bags.

These cleaning bags are used to protect the layers of the pillow while they rotate in the washing machine. After the cycle timing is over, remove the pillow from the machine and then the cleaning bag and simply air dry or sun dry. If air drying, less heat is recommended.

4. Vacuum Cleaning

This is also a method of cleaning bath pillows. Though it restricts types of bath pillows like foam pillows because of their texture, vacuum cleaning can be very effective.

Simply apply a detergent on the pillow and introduce water. Scrub the pillow until the dirt is off and the gently vacuum the pillow until it is clean.

Use a wet towel to wipe off any remaining traces of detergent or foam before drying it.

In addition to ways of cleaning mildew from bath pillows, it is also wise to consider ways of keeping the same mold away for a longer period of time as it can be very disturbing and keep coming back after washing.

Regardless of which way of cleaning you use, removing the pillow from the tub will always come first while cleaning the tub itself before returning the clean dry pillows will be the last step.

It is advisable to regularly dry your pillows either air or sun drying. This keeps away the mold and even prevents its presence as drying is not a condition for it to thrive.

Shower curtains should also be cleaned regularly and so should the bath tub where the pillow lies. Proper ventilation into the bathroom should also be a priority as it helps to keep the bathroom dry and aerated as much as possible.

Poorly aerated bathrooms easily allow mold to creep in. Keeping moderate water levels of the hot tub is essential as the water will not reach the pillows.

This will ensure the pillows remain dry for a longer period. Also avoid damping clothes in the bathroom as they dampen the air too leading to mold formation.

If the bath tub will not be used for a long while then it is astute to remove the pillow from the tub until it is used again. This will prevent the pillow from catching mildew.

Last but not least, pillows also have a lifespan. If you notice bad odor from them, then it’s time to replace them. Remember mold only thrive in wet or steamy conditions, so the more dry the bathroom and its essentials are, the less the mold formation.

How to Dry your Bath Pillow

Drying the pillows is usually the last stages of taking care of them. Mold cannot flourish in dry conditions, this makes this stage as vital if not most important.

Various ways can be used to dry these pillows, depending with the type of material used on your pillow.

1. Sun Drying

This method is easy as it is natural and no expense is used, only effort. Sun is a form of natural heat which gets rid of mildew. This can also be done even before the washing day reaches.

It is essential to put your pillows under the sun just to keep away the mold from growing. Moreover, sun drying applies to majority of pillows if not all.

2. Air Drying

Depending with the instructions given from the manufacturer of the pillow, air drying is also used. The material used will determine the amount of heat to be used in the air dryer.

Mostly the heat used is low as the pillow will need to dry for a longer period of time to remove all moisture. If the heat is too much it might end up scorching the pillow itself or cause bumpiness.

Conclusion

Cleaning of bath pillows is necessary and should be done often. This will ensure no diseases are caught due to dampness and formation of mold in bathrooms.

It is also easy to note that drying of pillows, whether before wash days or after wash is essential. In addition, these pillows could also last from six months up to years depending on the quality. Good quality will last more but only if treated and cleaned well often.