Can You Put a Pillow in the Dryer?

Wondering if you can put a pillow in the dryer? You are not alone. Drying a pillow the right way keeps it fluffy, clean, and safe to use. Done wrong, it can trap moisture, create musty smells, or even damage the filling. In this guide, you will learn which pillows can go in the dryer, which ones should never be machine dried, the best settings to use, and how to get a soft, fully dry pillow without lumps or odors. Everything here is beginner friendly and easy to follow.

The Short Answer

When the Dryer Is Safe

Most down, feather, polyester, and gel-fiber pillows can go in a household dryer if you use a gentle heat setting and check them often. These fillings handle tumbling well, and the movement helps restore loft. Always read the care label first because some brands set specific heat limits or require air-only cycles.

When the Dryer Is Not Safe

Memory foam and latex pillows should not go in the dryer. Heat and tumbling can make them warp, crumble, or melt. Buckwheat and other hull-filled pillows must never be machine dried. The hulls can trap moisture, grow mold, and break down. Many wool pillows also do better with air drying because heat can cause felting.

Know Your Pillow Fill

Down and Feather Pillows

Down and feather pillows dry well in a dryer. They love movement, which helps separate clumps and restore fluff. Use low to medium heat, take your time, and add dryer balls to speed up the process. The key is thorough drying because trapped moisture can cause a lasting odor or mildew.

Polyester and Gel-Fiber Pillows

These pillows are usually the easiest to machine dry. They handle medium heat, dry faster than down, and fluff nicely with dryer balls or clean tennis balls. Avoid very high heat because synthetic fibers can melt or clump when overheated.

Memory Foam and Latex Pillows

Do not put these pillows in the dryer. Solid foam and latex can break down under heat and tumbling. Shredded foam has the same risk. For these types, air drying on a flat surface with good airflow is the safer method. Some covers can be machine dried, but the foam inserts should stay out of the dryer.

Buckwheat and Natural Hull Pillows

Never put hulls in the dryer. They absorb moisture and can grow mold. If the outer shell is washable, remove the hulls first, wash the cover, and air the hulls in the sun on a dry day. Replace hulls that smell musty or feel damp.

Wool Pillows

Some wool pillows can handle a no-heat or very low-heat cycle, but many will felt if heated or tumbled too aggressively. Check the care label. When in doubt, air dry and gently reshape while drying.

Prep Steps Before Any Drying

Always read the care label for heat limits or special instructions. Check seams for small holes so feathers or fill do not escape in the dryer. If you just washed the pillow, run an extra spin cycle to remove as much water as possible. Press the pillow gently between clean towels to reduce dripping. Avoid wringing, which can twist and damage the fill. Place pillows in the dryer with room to move so air can circulate. Two standard pillows usually fit in a full-size dryer. Clean the lint filter before you start to avoid overheating and improve airflow.

How to Dry Pillows in a Dryer Safely

Settings and Timing

Use low to medium heat for most down, feather, polyester, and gel-fiber pillows. Skip high heat unless the label says it is safe. Drying can take 40 to 90 minutes for polyester and 60 to 120 minutes for down, depending on your dryer and the pillow size. Pause every 20 minutes to break up clumps by hand and check the core for dampness. If the outer fabric feels hot but the inside is still moist, switch to a lower heat or an air-only cycle and keep going.

Dryer Aids That Help Fluff

Add two to four wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls to reduce drying time and fluff the fill. They bounce and knock apart clumps. If you do not have dryer balls, you can toss in a clean, dry towel to absorb moisture, but remove it halfway through so the pillow can move freely. Avoid heavily scented dryer sheets with down and feather pillows because softener can coat the fill and reduce loft.

Signs Your Pillow Is Truly Dry

A pillow is done when it feels light, evenly warm, and completely dry throughout. Squeeze the middle and corners. If you feel cool or damp spots, keep drying. For feather and down pillows, hold the pillow up to a bright light. Darker patches can mean damp clumps. Let the pillow cool completely, then sniff it. A musty smell means moisture remains and you need more drying time.

Drying Each Pillow Type, Step by Step

Down and Feather Drying Guide

Use low to medium heat with two or more dryer balls. Start with 20-minute cycles and fluff by hand in between. Break apart clumps by pinching and shaking the pillow. Expect a longer total dry time than synthetics. When nearly dry, switch to an air-only cycle to finish without overheating the outer fabric. Make sure the pillow is completely dry to prevent odor and mildew. If you want extra freshness, air it in the sun for an hour after machine drying.

Polyester and Gel-Fiber Drying Guide

Use medium heat with dryer balls or a clean towel to speed drying. Polyester dries faster than down, but it can clump if overheated. If you notice hard or flat areas, pause, massage the fill apart, and continue on a lower heat setting. Finish with 10 to 15 minutes on air-only to cool and set the shape.

Foam and Latex: Air Drying Method Only

Never tumble dry foam or latex. After washing the removable cover, press moisture from the foam insert with towels. Lay it flat on a ventilated rack or a clean, dry surface. Place a fan nearby and flip the pillow every hour. Avoid direct high heat or strong sun, which can make foam brittle. Dry time can be several hours to a full day. Make sure it is completely dry before using or covering to prevent odors.

Wool: Gentle Approach

If the label allows, use a no-heat or extra-low setting with dryer balls to help separate the fibers. Check often, reshape by hand, and stop at the first sign of felting or shrinking. Many wool pillows do best with air drying on a flat surface. Pat and lift the fibers as they dry to keep them airy.

Air-Drying Alternatives if You Skip the Dryer

Fast Indoor Air-Dry Setup

Place the pillow on a mesh drying rack or stand it up on its edge so air can move on all sides. Point a fan toward it and keep a window open if weather allows. Flip and rotate every hour. In humid weather, run a dehumidifier to speed drying and prevent musty smells. This method works especially well for foam, latex, wool, and any pillow with a strict low-heat label.

Sun-Drying Tips and Cautions

Sun helps evaporate moisture and reduces odors naturally. Place the pillow outside on a dry day with a light breeze. Rotate often so the core dries evenly. Avoid leaving colored covers under harsh sun for too long because they can fade. Bring the pillow inside before evening dew forms. If you live in a damp climate, finish with a short no-heat tumble to restore loft.

Odor, Lumps, and Other Troubleshooting

Lumpy Pillow Rescue

For down and polyester, stop the dryer every 15 to 20 minutes. Shake the pillow strongly, then massage it to break clumps apart. Add or keep using dryer balls. If clumps remain after drying, lightly mist the lumpy area with clean water, then tumble on low with dryer balls for 10 to 15 minutes to reset the fibers. Avoid overloading the dryer because crowded pillows do not move enough to de-clump.

Musty Smell or Damp Spots

If your pillow smells musty, it is not fully dry. Tumble again on low heat with dryer balls, then switch to air-only to finish. For down and feather, a short sun session after machine drying helps remove odor. If a smell lingers after a full re-dry, the core may have mildew. In that case, replacement is safer than repeated washing.

Escaping Feathers or Fill

If feathers poke through or fill is leaking, stop drying and repair the seam. Turn the pillow cover inside out if removable, and stitch with a tight, small seam. A pillow protector can also reduce leaks and extend pillow life. If you see many loose feathers in your dryer, clean the lint filter and interior before running the next load.

Safety Essentials You Should Not Skip

Clean the lint filter before and after drying pillows. Lint buildup can overheat the dryer and slow airflow. Do not use high heat unless the label clearly allows it because fillings can melt, scorch, or clump. Never tumble foam or latex. Check every 20 minutes, and do not leave the dryer running unattended with dense items like pillows. If you notice a hot rubber smell, stop and check the load and the lint filter. Let the dryer cool before starting again on a lower setting.

Cleaning Frequency, Replacement, and Storage

How Often to Wash and Dry

Wash most pillows two to four times per year, depending on allergies and how much you sweat. Use pillow protectors under your cases and wash them every one to two weeks. Air out pillows in the sun a few times a year to keep them fresh between washes. Spot clean stains quickly so they do not soak into the fill and cause odors later.

When to Replace

Replace polyester and gel-fiber pillows about every one to two years, down and feather every two to three years, and foam or latex every two to three years depending on quality. Signs it is time to replace include a flat or uneven shape, persistent odor after washing, or waking up with neck pain because the pillow no longer supports you. If the pillow fails the fold test and does not spring back, it may be past its best.

Storing and Organizing Pillows

Store clean, fully dry pillows in a cool, dry spot. Use breathable cotton bags, not plastic, so moisture cannot build up. Avoid compressing down and feather pillows for long periods, which can crush the loft. Label seasonal or guest pillows so you rotate them evenly. Add a cedar block or lavender sachet to deter pests and keep stored pillows smelling fresh.

Special Notes About Outer Fabrics and Details

Decorative pillows with beads, sequins, glued trims, or delicate embroidery may not tolerate the dryer, even if the filling is safe. In those cases, remove the cover if possible and follow its label. If the cover cannot be removed, spot clean and air dry. For zippered covers, close zippers before drying to prevent snagging. If your pillow has a waterproof liner, dry extra gently because trapped heat can warp coatings.

Care Label Decoder in Plain Words

If the label says tumble dry low, that means use the lowest heat setting and check often. Air dry or line dry means no dryer heat at all, so choose a flat air-drying method with a fan. Do not tumble dry means keep it out of the dryer completely, even on air-only, because tumbling alone might damage the filling. Dry clean only is rare for pillows you sleep on, but follows the same rule: avoid the washer and dryer and consult a professional if needed.

A Quick Drying Routine You Can Trust

After washing, spin the pillow twice to remove as much water as possible. Dry one or two pillows at a time with dryer balls. Use low to medium heat for down, feather, polyester, and gel-fiber. Pause every 20 minutes to fluff. Finish with 10 to 20 minutes on air-only to cool and set the loft. For foam, latex, wool, and hulls, skip the dryer and air dry with a fan until the core is fully dry. Keep storage dry and breathable so your clean pillows stay fresh longer.

Conclusion

Yes, you can put many pillows in the dryer, but it depends on the filling and the care label. Down, feather, polyester, and gel-fiber pillows usually dry well on low to medium heat with dryer balls and patience. Memory foam, latex, buckwheat, and many wool pillows should be air dried to avoid damage. The secret to success is gentle heat, good airflow, and frequent checks so moisture does not hide in the core. Follow the steps in this guide, and you will have clean, fluffy pillows that last longer and feel great every night.