Washing a pillow: what can go in the washing machine?
Whether you can wash a pillow depends on its filling and cover. The manufacturer's instructions are what count. With the Pillowise pillow, the cover is machine washable at 40 °C.
Can I put any pillow in the washing machine?
No. Pillows differ in filling, construction and cover. What works for one model can damage another. So rely on your pillow's care label rather than a generic guide. We don't want to give you a one-size-fits-all guide here, because it wouldn't be honest.
What applies to the Pillowise pillow?
- Cover: moisture-regulating top layer made of Tencel, bottom layer made of polyester. Machine washable at 40 °C.
- Core: 100% memory foam, made in the Netherlands.
- Materials: certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX.
For the cover we have a clear answer, but not for the foam core. We give no information here on cleaning the core. Ask your retailer or write to info@pillowise.com. You can find more about the material on our page about the memory foam pillow.
Does washing a pillow also make it fit better?
No. Clean is not the same as suitable. The right height depends on your body measurements, your sleeping position and your mattress. That way your head and cervical spine lie in a line, and your shoulder has room. If your pillow feels wrong, the cause may be its height rather than its cleanliness. You can read how to tell in our article Pillow too high or too low.
A pillow is not a cure. If you have persistent neck or shoulder complaints, please have them assessed by a doctor.
How does Pillowise find the right size?
From three measurements. Thijs van der Hilst developed the method in his physiotherapy practice because he couldn't recommend a suitable pillow to patients with neck complaints.
| Measuring point | How to measure |
|---|---|
| Shoulder width | around the curve of your back, without pulling the tape measure tight |
| Neck circumference | all the way around your neck |
| Neck length | from the bottom of your ear to the tip of your shoulder |
Your sleeping position (back, side, stomach) and your mattress (soft, normal, firm) are also taken into account. An algorithm uses these to choose the best-fitting pillow. There are six sizes, each with its own colour: pink, orange, green, blue, red and purple. For a general way to estimate height, see Calculating pillow height.
So: do you need to change anything?
If your pillow is clean and you wake up feeling comfortable in the morning, no. Read the care label, and with the Pillowise pillow, wash the cover at 40 °C. If your pillow has felt wrong for a long time, though, it's worth taking a look at the size.
Get measured at a Pillowise retailer, or determine your size yourself with PillowScan.
Determine your size yourself or find a retailer
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise
