How I Wash Delicate Decor Pillows Without Them Deforming

Decorative pillows add a welcoming touch to any living space, but keeping these delicate accessories clean can be a challenge. Improper washing can easily damage the fabric or misshape the filling. However, with some key tips on pretreating, water temperature, detergent use, drying, and storage, you can keep your favorite throw pillows looking fluffy and vibrant for years to come.

Follow my proven step-by-step method to wash delicate decorative pillows without causing deformation or other damage.

Determine the Filling Material

The first step is identifying what type of material fills the pillow. Common options include:

• Polyester fiberfill - Most common, affordable filling
• Feathers - Delicate, requires special care
• Foam - Can be washed but reshapes slowly
• Down - Extremely delicate feathers

It's crucial to know the filling because each material requires special care - especially delicate feathers. Check the manufacturer's tag if you are unsure of the filling material. This early step prevents deformation issues down the line.

Inspect Pillows for Stains

Before washing, carefully inspect both sides of the pillow for any visible stains. Common culprits include:

• Food and drinks
• Makeup and cosmetic residues
• Markers or pen ink
• Candle wax
• Pet urine, dirt, or saliva

For best results, identify and pre-treat any dried, set-in stains with either a diluted detergent solution or a specialty stain remover:

1. Mix warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
2. Using a clean cloth, gently blot the stained area avoiding rubbing or scrubbing.
3. Let set for 10-15 minutes allowing stain remover to penetrate.
4. Blot area again with clean section of cloth.
5. Repeat as needed until stain fades.

Pretreating stains prevents them from setting during the actual wash cycle. Be patient and gentle during this process.

Test Decorative Pillows for Colorfastness

Vibrant pillows with rich, dyed colors also require a colorfastness test before washing:

1. Dampen a small, hidden area of fabric with drops of room temperature water.
2. Gently rub the wet spot with your fingertip to simulate agitation.
3. Blot area with an absorbent white cloth, checking for color transfer or bleed.
4. If colors run, hand wash with cold water or dry clean only.

This quick test saves your pillow's beautiful colors and avoids dye bleed issues. Now the pillows are ready for washing!

Wash Pillows in Loads by Color

When machine washing pillows, group covers into loads based on color:

• Wash whites separately from colors, darks, or prints
• Load brights, pastels, jewel tones separately from darker hues
• Avoid mixing prints, patterns, or bold graphics

Washing pillows by color ensures colors stay true without bleeding or fading into each other during cleaning cycles. Feel free to wash same-color pillow shams or cases together too.

Use the Gentle Cycle Setting

Always wash delicate pillows on the gentle or delicate cycle setting. Regular agitation and spin speeds can damage fabrics:

• Gentle keeps agitation and spinning low.
• Prevents excess friction against fabrics.
• Ideal for delicate materials like silk, velvet, linen.

The gentler wash motion keeps pillows intact without wearing down fabrics. Use cool or warm water as well - skip the hot setting.

Add Mild Liquid Detergent

When it comes to detergent for decorative pillows, mild is essential. Skip the powder formulas or heavy duty brands containing brighteners or bleach.

• Use clear, dye-free, and fragrance-free brands.
• Measure precisely - start with 1/8 cup liquid for standard loads.
• Under-sudsing is better than too many suds during the rinse.

Over-sudsing can leave behind sticky residue or soap scum attracting dirt once the pillows dry. To avoid this, use mild liquid options sparingly.

Rinse Thoroughly After Washing

Once wash cycles finish, it's equally important to rinse pillows thoroughly. This prevents soap residues which attract dirt over time. Follow these tips:

1. Use the extra rinse cycle option if your machine has it.
2. Rinse with cold water - hot water can cause delicate fabrics to shrink.
3. Inspect pillows closely before removing from washer.
4. If suds remain, run an additional rinse until water runs clear.

Proper rinsing keeps pillows fresh between washes too. Next, it's time to dry them without damage.

Air Dry Pillows Slowly and Thoroughly

To prevent deforming delicate pillow filling, skip the dryer completely. This also helps fabrics maintain their vivid colors and soft textures.

Instead, dry flat either on top of towels or mesh racks:

• Shape evenly and arrange flat for consistent drying.
• Allow 48 hours if possible.
• Flip periodically, replacing towels to absorb moisture.
• Avoid scrunching or balling up wet covers.
• Plump up filling gently with hands once fully dried.

Take your time, allowing inner and outer materials to dry thoroughly before using or storing. Rushing the process causes uneven shrinkage or misshaping.

Use Dehumidifiers Near Storage Areas

Excess moisture in storage spaces leads to mold, discoloration, or strange odors. Prevent this with these tips:

• Check humidity levels where pillows are stored.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep areas below 50% relative humidity.
• Add moisture-absorbing products like silica packets if needed.
• Store cleaned pillows in breathable cotton cases.

Investing in dehumidification protects your freshly cleaned pillows from new issues arising during storage like mildew. Continue the special care while putting pillows away too.

Store Properly to Maintain Shape

To enjoy decorative pillows for years without misshaping, fold and organize them neatly:

• Store flat or loosely rolled to retain fluffiness.
• Avoid overly compressed storage containers.
• Use acid-free tissue between folded pillows.
• Arrange largest on bottom grading down to smallest.

Give pillows room to breathe while storing them. This keeps filling springy after washing too. Then maintain them between deep cleanings.

Keep to a Regular Decor Pillow Washing Schedule

Don't wait until pillows look or smell dirty. Follow this preemptive timeline:

• Wash fiberfill pillows 1-2 times per year.
• Clean feather/down-filled pillows 1-2 times per 3 years.
• Machine wash foam pillows 1-2 times annually if needed.

Seasonal deep cleaning keeps them dust and allergen-free. It also avoids having to tackle set-in stains or odors later. Add in vacuuming and spot cleaning too.

Frequently Vacuum and Spot Clean

Between scheduled washings:

1. Use brush or upholstery attachments to vacuum.
2. Spot clean stains immediately with damp soft cloth.
3. Avoid rubbing, club soda can set some stains.
4. Check and treat any new pet stains/odors.

Repeated or heavy soiling may require moving up laundry day. But diligent upkeep reduces major cleaning down the road.

Fluff and Rotate Pillows

To evenly distribute wear, remember to:

• Fluff and rearrange pillows weekly.
• Change out pillow covers seasonally.
• Rotate floor pillows with those used less often.

With some thoughtful care, your special decorative pillows stay pretty and plump all year without losing shape or color after washing.

Follow my proven advice for keeping delicate throw pillows clean and vibrant-looking for years:

• Hand wash or dry clean embellished, beaded, or antique pillows.
• Check zippers before washing and mend loose teeth or fabric.
• Use mild soap, cool water, and skip the dryer for best results.
• Add 1-2 tennis balls to the dryer with fiberfill pillows to fluff.
• Consider removable covers if washing whole pillows seems daunting.

With proper handling both inside and out, your decorative pillows maintain their fluffy, vibrant look after countless machine washes. Rest assured you can clean without shrinking, dye loss, molding or other damage.

Now that you know my proven washing method, go ahead and clean those throw pillows pileup up in the corner. Just be sure to follow my tips for determining fill material, pretreating, color testing, water temperature, detergent choice, drying, and storage outlined above. Here's to bright, fresh decorative pillows bringing color to your living spaces!