Can you wash memory foam pillows?

No. Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. You can remove the cover (if removable) and machine wash that.

When should you replace pillows?

Every 1-2 years for synthetic, 3-5 years for down. The fold test: fold the pillow in half -- if it doesn't spring back, it's dead.

No. Dishwashers don't have a spin cycle to remove water, and the heat can damage fill material.

Tumble in the dryer on no-heat with tennis balls for 15 minutes. For down pillows, also shake and punch them to redistribute fill.

Household

A clean pillows makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Here's the most effective method, plus the mistakes most people make.

1
Check the care label
Most down, synthetic, and cotton pillows are machine washable. Memory foam and latex are NOT -- spot clean only.
2
Machine wash two at a time
Wash two pillows together to balance the load. Use hot water with a small amount of Power Wash detergent and a scoop of baking soda.
3
Run an extra rinse cycle
Pillows absorb more water and detergent than clothing. Run an extra rinse to ensure all soap is flushed out.
4
Dry thoroughly with tennis balls
Tumble dry on low heat with 2-3 tennis balls. The balls prevent clumping and speed drying. This can take 2-3 full cycles.
5
Check for dampness
Before putting pillows back on the bed, squeeze the center to check for moisture. Any remaining dampness leads to mold inside.

TIPWash pillows every 3-6 months. They accumulate dead skin, dust mites, sweat, and oils that a pillowcase alone doesn't contain.
TIPThe tennis ball trick is essential for down and synthetic pillows -- without them, the fill clumps into flat, lumpy masses.
TIPUse a pillow protector under your pillowcase for an extra barrier that extends pillow life significantly.

XWashing memory foam pillows in the machine, which breaks down the foam structure permanently.
XNot drying pillows thoroughly, which causes mold and mildew to grow inside where you can't see or smell it for weeks.
XUsing too much detergent, which doesn't rinse out of the thick pillow fill and causes skin irritation.

Every 3-6 months. Use pillow protectors and wash pillowcases weekly to extend time between washes.