How to Wash a Body Pillow Cover and Keep It Soft

Quick answer

Machine wash your body pillow cover in cold water on a gentle cycle, then tumble dry on low or air dry to preserve softness and prevent shrinkage.

How to wash a body pillow cover: step-by-step

1. 1. Check the care label: Look at the tag inside your pillow cover for the manufacturer's washing instructions. This tells you the recommended water temperature and drying method. Ignoring this can void any warranty. Always read the label first—it's the safest guide.
2. 2. Zip and turn inside out: Close any zippers or buttons to prevent snagging, then turn the cover inside out. This protects the outer fabric from friction and reduces fading. A common mistake is washing with zippers open, which can tear the cover. Turning inside out shields the front fabric.
3. 3. Use cold water and gentle detergent: Set your machine to cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle. Add a mild, bleach-free detergent. Hot water can shrink organic cotton and hemp, while harsh detergents strip natural oils that keep fabric soft. Cold water preserves both color and softness.
4. 4. Dry on low heat or air dry: Tumble dry on low heat or hang the cover to air dry. High heat can cause shrinkage and make the fabric stiff. If using a dryer, remove the cover while slightly damp to reduce wrinkles. Air drying is the gentlest option. Low heat or air drying keeps the fabric soft.
5. 5. Fluff and fold immediately: Once dry, give the cover a good shake or a quick fluff in the dryer on no heat. Fold or put it back on the pillow right away to prevent deep wrinkles. Leaving it in a pile can set creases that are hard to remove. Fluffing restores loft and softness.

Product facts

• Sleeping Bean Body Pillow or Teen Bean Body Pillow: We offer sleeping bean pillowcases in a variety of different colors and fabrics, like organic cotton and hemp. Choosing a wash method suited to your specific fabric type—organic cotton or hemp—prevents damage and keeps the cover looking vibrant.