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How To Dry Pillows Without a Dryer

How To Dry Pillows Without a Dryer

When cleaning our pillows, most pillows go through the usual machine-washed, then you tossed your pillows inside the household dryer for natural drying, and then after a few hours of cycles, you are done in just a snap.

However, you admit it, or not, most of us do not own a household dryer. Therefore, are we going to skip the washing and cleaning of our pillows, and then you just decided to buy a new one? Hmm, I do not think so. Well, do not panic, because, for today, I am going to share with you some other ways on how to dry your pillows without using a dryer.

After you washed your pillows, the next step will be the drying process. There are actually two ways to dry your pillow, you toss them in the dryer, (the most used method) or you hang them outdoors. However, there are times wherein your household dryer is not available. So, to dry your pillows without using a dryer, and you can just simply hang your pillows outdoors, and let them dry in the most natural way.

Drying a pillow is the most difficult phase in the entire process of cleaning and freshening a pillow. Aside from avoiding the formation of lumps and bumps on the surface of the pillow during drying, you must also ensure that your pillow is very dry to avoid the growth of bacteria and molds and remove the musty odor.

Otherwise, follow these tips below for the step-by-step procedures on how to dry your pillow without a dryer. I assure you that after you have read and follow all these tips, you will think twice if you still need a dryer or #dryernomore.

Things to consider when drying a pillow without a dryer

Drying your pillows without a dryer is no big deal. Actually, you can still slay the perfect drying of your pillows without using a dryer. If you wonder how is this possible, look around and think if there is still another source of heat, and then you saw a stray of light coming from your windowpane.

That's it! You can use the heat of the sun for drying your pillow.

Bathing your pillow in sunrays can be beneficial; aside from it can lessen your electricity bills, the heat of the sun acts as a natural disinfectant. The sun's heat punches and penetrates through the core and everywhere to wipe and kill microbial growth.

In addition to this, the sun can help to spruce up, disinfect, and fluff up your pillows. To stop prolonging your agony, here are things to consider when you dry your pillows outside:

Sun and Air-drying your pillows

  • Hang your damp pillows on your clothesline on a sunny and cool-dry day to evaporate all the water absorbed during washing
  • Pillows have a great surface area, so you must expect that they take a couple of hours to bone-dry your pillows
  • If you do not have a clothesline, no problem, you can lay your pillows on a flat surface, as if your pillows are sunbathing. Please, be vigilant for any formation of lumps or cold spots. You can avoid this happen, by squeezing the corners of your pillow for achieving an even distribution fill.
  • When you noticed that almost all of the moisture content of your pillows evaporated, you fluff it gently and turn the side of your pillow to side after every hour or two. The heat of the sun will fade any remaining dampness and moisture of your pillows. It freshens and acts as a natural bleaching agent leaving your pillows a natural and odorless smell.

Removing Musty Smell

Covered in a non-air permeable material such as plastic, or dressed in a humid and non-lit ambiance, your pillows might develop a musty odor over time. The existence of this odor indicates that your pillow stinks, dirty, and the need to freshen up.

The presence of moisture infiltrates the fillings of your pillows. Therefore, letting your pillows to breathe out sometimes help them to dehumidify and can keep them fresh as a newly cut sunflower.

Here are some tips for dehumidifying your pillows:

  • Airing your pillows out on a humid-free day with some great sunlight and hang your pillows in a clothesline exposing both sides for efficient airflow.
  • You can also place your drying rack on a top of a table to permit and penetrate the air underside of your pillows.
  • Keep your pillows hanged outside for as long as possible. Nevertheless, remember to toss and turn your pillows every hour or two, to avoid lumpiness.

Keeping your pillows free from lumps

Who would like to sleep in hardened lumps as if you are laying your head in softened hollow blocks? I guess no one. Hence, you can mold your pillow for back support or in a comfortable shape with daily maintenance.

Here are tips for maintaining and keeping your pillows lump-proof:

  • Fluff up your pillows daily by pressing lightly from the edges, directing towards the core, and then you repeat the process a few times.
  • Hang your pillows outdoors on a non-humid, sunny day to evaporate some trapped moistures. This will spruce your pillows up and eventually will freshen the surface of your pillows. Flip and turn your pillows constantly, as if you are frying a burger patty, for sufficient exposure to ventilation on both sides.

Massaging the formed lumps

Sometimes you cannot avoid the formation of lumps, whether you like it or not. Pillows with feather fillings are more prone to lumping due to their composition that easily collapses under pressure, moisture or perspiration. Therefore, regular kneading the lumps of your pillows will fluff up your pillows, creating small air pockets for speedy drying.

Here are the tips on how to massage your pillows properly:

  • Detect the lumps by squeezing the fillings of your pillows between your palms. Once you detected a lump, sandwiched in between your fingers and massage until the lumps melt away.
  • After you broke the lumps, the next thing you will do is to fluff the pillow by pressing both sides. Repeat until you get the desired consistency of your pillow.

Capitalize on sunlight for pillow drying

With the natural ability of the sun's heat as a disinfectant, it infuses a fresh and natural smell while providing a natural bleaching agent against dirt, facial sebum, and stains.

Here are the reasons while drying your pillows under the sun is a must-do:

  • Pillows that dried under the sun are fresher, compared to the pillows dried in a dryer. This is because natural sunlight has no laundry chemicals.
  • For feather-filled pillows, sun-drying helps maintain the resilience of the natural feathers
  • UV rays of the sun can whiten and disinfect your pillows
  • Sun-drying has a lesser incidence of wear and tear, unlike in a dryer where your pillows flip and tumble, causing damage on the pillow.

Drawbacks of household dryers

We agree that drying using a household dryer can make our job easier and faster. However, there are things to consider when you choose to dry your pillows on a dryer.

Here are the downsides of using household dryers:

  • Household dryers can denature the content of your pillows, especially if filled with feathers. As a result, it can interfere in the ability of your pillow to restore to its original volume and loft.
  • Dryers use electricity to function; therefore, it can increase your electricity bills.
  • Using dryers to dry your pillow can actually shrink or damage your pillows.
  • As dryers are electronics, you must allocate funds to the cost of keeping it running and its maintenance.

When and where to dry your pillows

You choose the perfect day to dry your pillows outdoors. It must be when the sun is out; the weather is cool and dry-day. You can check the weather forecast to track when is the best day to wash and dry your pillows.

Here are some quick tips to remember when drying outdoors:

  • On dry wintry weather, take your pillows out before noon after mist and then take them indoors before the evening dampness reappears
  • Remember that you do not need to hang your pillows in direct sunlight, hanging your pillows under a shady tree will do.
  • If you plan to dry your pillows indoors, ventilate your house efficiently to blow away tons of moisture.

Therefore as a final verdict, indoor or outdoor air-drying provides natural ways to dry your pillows without using a dryer.

Airing your pillows out can restore their natural freshness, while the heat of the sun can kill the bacterial and microbial growths as it bleaches some dirt and stains on your pillows. Even those who use the dryers, resort to the sun and air-drying when they cannot achieve the desired appearance of their pillows.

Though it takes time and effort to dry your pillows outdoors, it is still worth it as your electricity bills do not increase, and it is eco-friendly. So, what are you waiting for? Come out and dry your pillows while you listen to the song, "Walking on Sunshine."

Image credit: Flickr