Look at your favorite throw pillows. Do you see fur, stains, or dirt but no zipper for easy cleaning?
Pet owners, busy homeowners, and cozy space lovers know this struggle all too well. Hair, fur, stains—they all seem to cling to those beautiful fabrics. And with no zippers, how do you even start cleaning them?
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We’ve put together a simple, step-by-step guide to help you clean those zipperless throw pillows effectively.
You’ll learn how to remove fur and dirt, hand-wash, and sanitize your pillows, ensuring a fresh look for your home. No more guessing or worrying about damaging your pillows!
How To Clean Throw Pillows That Have No Zipper
1. Get Rid Of Any Fur, Hair, Or Dirt With A Vacuum Cleaner
Kickstart the cleaning process by using your vacuum cleaner on your pillow. Doing so will prepare it for some even more thorough cleaning later on.
Since most vacuum cleaners include an upholstery attachment, you won’t need to spend extra on that.
Vacuum cleaners do a remarkable job of clearing out any fur, hair, or dirt from any fabric.
Once you’ve finished vacuuming, give your pillow a soft wipe down. The best way to do this is to use a damp sponge slightly soaked in warm water.
2. Perform A Thorough Spot Test
If you’re not sure of your pillow’s fabric type, it’s always a good idea to do a spot test.
Spot testing is particularly useful for light-colored fabrics that tend to run easily. Use the same water temperature you usually use on your pillows and mix it with some mild detergent.
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First, pour a little of the detergent mixture on a small part of the fabric. Some fabrics react harshly to some detergents, and most leave unsightly stains.
If there’s little to no adverse reaction, proceed to the next step. Alternatively, if you notice an adverse reaction, try another detergent.
3. Hand-Wash Your Pillows
For throw pillows without zippers, we strongly recommend regular hand-washing above all other cleaning methods. It’s the safest way to ensure that your throw pillows don’t get damaged in any way.
Handwashing your pillows must be done the right way, or else you might not achieve your desired results. Here’s what you’ll need for this procedure:
- Bathtub, bucket, or basin
- Mild detergent
- Upholstery shampoo
Step 1: Fill your vessel with a sufficient level of lukewarm water that can accommodate your pillows.
Step 2: Add a tablespoon of mild detergent or upholstery shampoo. Mix the solution with gloved-hands until foam develops on the surface.
Step 3: Submerge your pillows into the soapy water.
Step 4: Scrub each pillow precisely as you would with ordinary clothes. Froth the pillows around the water to ensure the water gets inside throughout.
Step 5: When you’re sure the pillows are clean enough, rinse them under cold running water until they are soap-free.
Step 6: DO NOT dry your pillows in the sunlight—the heat might be too intense and ruin your fabric. Instead, hang them under warm shelters until the water dries.
4. Sanitize And Deodorize Your Pillows Using A Steam Cleaner
Although this step isn’t necessary, it does help give your pillows a clean finish. Steam cleaners use a generous amount of heat to sanitize and deodorize for a remarkably thorough clean.
By the time you’ve finished steam cleaning, your pillow will be somewhat damp.
You can either leave it shaded outdoors to dry or place it in front of a fan for quicker drying. Steam cleaners can be used on a wide variety of furniture.
You could decide to extend the same cleaning method to your sofas to achieve a similar level of cleanliness as your throw pillows.
Doing this once or twice a month—or even once a week—is a sure way to keep your living room fresh and clean at all times.
Can I Machine Wash “Spot Clean Only” Pillows?
Pillows with a “Spot Clean Only” tag should not be machine-washed or dry-cleaned. They are fragile, hand-made, and often contain decorative trims such as delicate lace.
In this case, hand washing the pillow is the safest cleaning option. You can clean it with steam or a local spotting agent.
If you use cleaning solvents on a “Spot Clean Only” pillow, they may leave some residual watermarks that affect their overall appearance.
The next time you’re buying a pillow with a “Spot Clean Only” tag, ask the salesperson for some tips on how to clean it.
Since you can only hand wash it, you need to find out exactly how to do it to avoid costly mistakes. Yes, throw pillows can be expensive.
How Do You Disinfect A Pillow Without Washing it?
Before washing your pillows, you need to consider the fact that not all pillows are water-friendly.
Clean a water-resistant fabric pillow by using less concentrated household bleach or an alternative cleaning agent that contains at least 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.
Add four teaspoons of bleach to a quart of water and mix it into a spraying bottle.
Spray the solution on every area of your pillow until it’s somewhat damp, then rinse it with clean water. Evenly spraying will help to prevent any damage or discoloration.
When finished spraying, wash your hands with running water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
How Can I Deodorize My Pillows Without Washing Them?
If your pillows have a pungent smell that you want to eliminate, ordinary detergent isn’t the only solution. Depending on the intensity of the odor, baking soda can be highly effective.
Baking soda is one of the best traditional odor neutralizers. It doesn’t just mask the smell; it eliminates the source, keeping your pillow fresh for longer.
Here’s how to use it: Sprinkle baking soda evenly over your pillow. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly. Next, lightly spray vinegar over the surface. Use a white cloth or sponge to wipe away any excess vinegar.
Air-dry the pillow in non-humid conditions for at least a day. Voilà! A fresh-smelling pillow ready for use.
How Do You Get Stains Out Of Decorative Pillows?
If your pillow has stubborn stains, there’s a lot you can do to remove them. As with detergents, you need to first perform a spot test on any stain removal agent you want to use.
You’ll be pleased to know that most pillow fabrics work well with the variety of stain removers available today.
On that note, here are some common stains and how you can quickly get rid of them:
Oil
Sprinkle cornstarch over any oil stain and let it sit overnight. The next day, clean the cornstarch using a brush and soap solution.
Ink
Dab a soft cloth dipped in some rubbing alcohol over the ink stain.
Blood
Soak your pillow in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour white vinegar over the stain and let it soak for 10 minutes. Hand wash your pillow and allow it to dry.
Can I Put Throw Pillows In The Dryer?
You can quickly put most machine-washable throw pillows in the dryer with zero risks of damage. In fact, dryers preserve the fabric’s decorative appearance long after cleaning.
When using a dryer, you need to understand that different pillows have varying dryer settings.
We recommend that you adjust your dryer’s temperature down to the low-heat cycle. Here are some of the materials in pillows and their respective settings:
- For feather-filled pillows, adjust your dryer to the “no heat/fluff/air” setting.
- For synthetic pillows (those made from thick rayon or polyester fibers), switch your dryer to the lowest heat.
- For memory foam pillows, avoid putting them in the dryer. The heat will gradually melt and ruin the foam. The safest option for this type of pillow is air drying.
In Closing
Because your throw pillow has no zipper, that should be no reason to skip cleaning. Use the simple method and straightforward tips provided in this post to get the best out of your decorative home accessory.
Remember to do the spot check first before anything else! Spot check immensely helps if you’re not sure about the kind of material used.
