How To Wash Pillows In A High-Efficiency Top-Loading Washer

There are a lot of pillows available on the market today, and each type of pillows has different care label instructions since some pillows are good to be washed, and some are not good to be washed at all.

Hence, you can check here to know about different types of pillows that are best for machine washing, hand washing, spot cleaning, and pillows not suitable for washing. However, if you prefer washing pillows in a high-efficiency top-loading washer, you can follow this simple step below.

Washing pillows in a top-loading washer can be a bit tricky since they tend to float. Therefore, the first thing to do is to remove the pillow cover before loading it on the washing machine and then let the machine do its job. Make sure you toss laundry balls to make them fluffy.

Pillows will accumulate dust and dirt over time; that is why it is crucial to take some time to wash them since these small particles, when left unchecked, can become allergens to people.

Hence, it is worth also considering the safe label instructions of your pillows to avoid ruining their qualities. Therefore, here is a complete guide on how to wash pillows that are machine washable.

Make sure not to try these on pillows that can be washed and cleaned by hand and spot-cleaning.

Ultimate guide on how to wash pillows on HE top load washer

Washing pillows on a high-efficiency top load washer is just like you are just washing on a conventional top load washer.

The only difference between a traditional top load washer and high-efficiency top load washer is the agitator. For high-efficiency top load washer, they have no agitator.

Thereby they clean better, they can clean more stuff, and use less water compared to top load washer with agitator. However, high-efficiency top load washer is more expensive than the traditional one.

Hence, here is the step-by-step guide on how to wash your pillows on this type of washer.

Step 1: Remove the pillowcase or sham

First things first, of course, is to remove the pillowcase when washing the pillow. Some pillows have an additional zip-one case that also needs to be removed and needs to be washed separately. This way, you can have access to the body of the pillow.

Step 2: Set your washer on the longest cycle

Fill the washer with hot water, and as the machine is filling, you can start adding one scoop of your regular washing detergent, and for you to achieve an extra whitening effect on your pillow, you can add an additional cup of powdered dishwashing detergent and a half cup of borax and bleach

Step 3: Place your pillows in the washer

Once the detergent is dissolved, and you have removed the pillowcases of your pillows. Also, you have read the care label instructions of your pillow, and it is now time to place your pillows inside the washing machine.

It is recommended to put only two pillows at the same time to make sure that the washer is balanced, and the pillows are not drowning around so much inside the washer.

Step 4: Let the machine do its job

Turn on the machine and then flip the pillows upside down so that the top edge is in the water. Once the cushions are flipped, leave the lid of the machine open so that the machine will not run.

Let the pillows soaked for a couple of hours to remove dirt and some stains. Then rerun the machine again on full cycle.

Step 5: Drying time!!!

Once the pillows are washed and cleaned, it is now time to dry the pillow. And you can do this by tossing your pillows inside the dryer.

Place your pillows in the dryer and adjust the setting.

For pillows that are synthetic, set the dryer in low heat and for feather-filled pillows, adjust your dryer in air/fluff/no heat setting to avoid them from being ruined.

You can add some laundry balls or tennis balls wrapped in a clean cloth to fluff them inside the dryer.

Lastly, to ensure that the pillows are completely dried, you can hang them outdoor to air dry them. Make sure you flip them every other hour to avoid them become saggy and flat.

Finally, you have already known how to wash pillows in a high-efficiency top-loading washer. However, when you have decided to buy a top-loading washing machine, there are a lot of things to consider, such as the following:

Things To Look For A Top-Load Washer

When shopping for a top-load washer, you must ensure that your choice will meet your family's needs, its installation requirements, and its cost. Hence, here are some things you must consider when looking for a good top-load washing machine.

Washing Capacity and Size

When you say washing capacity, it refers to the volume of the interior drum of the washer that is measurable in cubic feet.

Generally, a 3 to 4 cubic feet washer can hold a maximum of 16 pounds, and a 5-cubic-foot washer can contain a maximum of 20 pounds of laundry.

Be mindful that the size of the washer's load depends on the model and manufacturer of the washing machine.

As for the size, it talks about the height, weight, and depth of the washer that is measured in inches.

A standard top-load washer measures 3 inches at each side, 6 inches at the back, and 25 inches in front of the washer's door. Likewise, it still depends on the washer's model and manufacturer.

Installation Requirements

Some washer requires personalized plumbing installations that can be connected via an adapter to a faucet.

Therefore, when buying a washer, maybe you would like to consult a plumber first to see if your house is washer-ready.

Furthermore, you also consider the proper positioning of your washer so that it can be accessed easily together with other laundry appliances.

FACT: Top-load washers need a 20-amp and 120-volt electrical outlet to function properly. A drain connection is a must-have too!

Energy Saving Feature

Top-load washer, especially those with high-efficiency models, are good for saving electricity and water bills, but I think almost washers have energy ratings indicated too; therefore, you better check it too. To look for the best energy efficiency, you can consider buying an Energy-rated star washer so that you can save money from paying high electricity bills.

Hence, it is better you compare the first different brands of washer about their energy ratings so that you can choose the right washer for your needs.

Washing Performance

High-efficiency top-loading washers have fewer and shorter washing times compared to conventional top-loading washers. In addition to this, they are also very effective in washing laundry.

You can also look for water level capacity for small, medium, and large loads of laundry and water temperature setting so that you can wash or rinse laundry using cold water if needed.

Another great feature you can look for a top-load washer is the permanent-press or casual wear that has a low spin as this can lessen wrinkles on your laundry.

Other features include the following:

Delicate or hand wash cycle
Delay wash
Extra rinse
Presoak
Non-rusting washer tub
Dispenser for fabric and bleach
Self-adjusting water temperature

Conventional vs. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer

YES, conventional top-load washers are cheaper and easier to use than a high-efficiency top-load washer.

However both come with pros and cons. To give you a more detailed comparison between these two types of washers I decided to put some of those features below based on information from Consumer Reports.

Conventional Top-Load Washer

Pros:

Less expensive
They have a shorter cycle
They work quietly

Cons:

They are tough on pillow fabrics
They use more water
Drying time is often longer
Most washers are noisy

High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer

Pros:

They have bigger capacities than a conventional top-load washer
They use less water and extract most of it; therefore, reducing drying time

Cons:

Washing time typically lasts for 60 to 80 minutes
Most are not gentle on pillow fabrics
They have deep tubs making it tough for some users to reach the bottom of the washer

P.S.

While it is definitely possible to wash synthetic pillows in a washer and then dry them in the dryer, I'd warn you from washing other types of pillows, e.g. down, in the machine.

I have a great article on washing pillows with hands which you may want to check out.

How To Wash Pillows By Hand

Also, be careful with memory foam pillows. Never use a washer with them. If you did such a mistake, here are the tips on recovering memory foam cushion.