How to Wash Throw Pillows and Make Them Look Brand New

I used to think throw pillows were just there for decoration. Something you plop onto the couch because the catalog said so. But then I realized they were doing way more than just sitting around.

Between naps I swear I didn’t mean to take, movie nights with greasy popcorn fingers, and the occasional coffee spill I tried to blot with a dish towel, those poor pillows took a beating. And somewhere along the way, they stopped looking cozy and started looking… questionable.

And that particular system—the one where you pick one up, think about it, and then put it back down—you are not the only one. I have been in that situation. I’ve been there. But the good news? You don’t have to toss them. Here’s how I clean mine, and how you can do the same without calling in reinforcements.

Can You Wash Throw Pillows?

Short answer: yes. Long answer? It depends on what kind of pillow we’re talking about.

If your throw pillow has a zipper and a removable cover, congratulations, you’ve got the easiest kind. The cover can usually go in the washer on a cold, gentle cycle. But what’s inside that cover matters too. Memory foam? That stuff hates the washing machine. Polyester or fiberfill? Much more forgiving.

For those mystery pillows, the ones without care tags because they’ve been on your couch since three leases ago. Here's what I do: I test a small corner with a damp cloth and a little detergent. If the color doesn’t run and the fabric doesn’t freak out, you’re probably okay to hand-wash or spot clean.

How to Clean Throw Pillows Safely at Home

After getting acquainted with what you have to work with, all you have to do is to be patient and not to hurry the process. I always turn the pillows that can be covered inside out to clean them since, in this case, I decide to put the pillows into the machine.

None, warm water, non-bleach, soft detergent. I’ve learned the hard way that bleach can make those pretty prints fade faster than an Instagram filter. If the insert is washable and not too delicate, I run it on a gentle cycle and add an extra rinse.

You don’t want leftover soap clinging to the fibers, especially if you’ve got sensitive skin or pets who treat pillows like personal thrones. For drying, I skip the dryer unless I’m using low heat and dryer balls.

Otherwise, I lay everything flat on a drying rack near a sunny window. Oh, and don’t underestimate the power of tennis balls in the dryer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Throw Pillows

Let me save you from the messes I’ve made. First off, don’t over-wash. I used to wash my throw pillows every time I deep-cleaned my living room. Huge mistake. Unless something spilled or they’ve turned a suspicious shade of beige, every few months is enough.

Second, heat is your enemy. I once tossed a velvet pillow cover into the dryer on high heat, thinking it would speed things up. It came out looking like it had been through a fire. Stick to air drying. And don’t, under any circumstance, wring them out. That twist-and-squeeze thing we all do with wet clothes? Bad idea for pillows.

The filling becomes strange and shapeless and does not go back to normal. Rather, place them between fluffy towels and squeeze out more water, and allow them to dry on a flat surface, turning them around.

Fabric softener? Skip it. It may smell good, but it will miss the texture and leave some strange residue.

The Oddly Satisfying Joy of Clean Throw Pillows

You know that feeling when your sheets are freshly washed and you climb into bed? That’s kind of what clean throw pillows do for your living room. It’s subtle, but the room feels fresher, less cluttered somehow, even if you didn’t change anything else.

Guests will actually lean back instead of politely perching on the edge of the couch. And I’ve noticed even when I sit differently, it’s like the space is more “mine” again. Sounds dramatic, but once you’ve washed and fluffed a pillow back to life, you’ll get it.

Doing these things is also quite earthy too. You do not have to redesign your living room to be comfortable with your surroundings.

Final Thought: It’s a Small Task That Pays Off Big

I am not going to deceive you by saying that cleaning throw pillows is a fancy task. It is not something that would win you a round of applause or appear in your top priority list by the end of the weekend. What was the payoff? It was completely worth it.

Take it from someone who waited way too long to clean theirs: fresh pillows can change how you feel about your entire couch. So next time you think about tossing the old ones out, try giving them a proper clean first. And if you’re looking for one that holds up wash after wash, this microbead throw pillow is soft, supportive, and ready for life’s messes. Worst case, they’re still toast; best case, they look and feel brand new.

Either way, you’ll know you did something to take care of your home. And that, as far as I’m concerned, is time well spent.