Can You Put a Pillow in the Dryer? (Safe Drying Guide)
Usually, yes — most down and synthetic pillows can go in the dryer, as long as you use low or no heat. Memory foam and latex are the exceptions: heat damages the foam, so those should only air-dry. The bigger risk with any pillow isn't the dryer itself — it's pulling it out before the center is fully dry, which is what causes that musty smell. Here's how to do it right.
Key takeaways
Down and microfiber pillows dry safely on low heat in 60 to 120 minutes, whereas solid memory foam and latex must air-dry flat for 24 hours:
- Down and synthetic: dryer-safe on low or air-dry.
- Memory foam and latex: no dryer — air-dry only.
- Use wool dryer balls to break up clumps and speed drying.
- Dry until the center is completely dry — damp filling grows mildew.
- Skip high heat, which can melt synthetic fill and damage feathers.
Which pillows can go in the dryer?
The filling decides it, so check the care label first. Across the 4 common fill types, here is the general guide:
| Pillow type | Dryer-safe? | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic / polyester | Yes | Low heat or air-dry |
| Down / feather | Usually | Low or air-dry |
| Memory foam | No | Air-dry only |
| Latex | No | Air-dry, out of direct sun |
Heat is the enemy of foam — it can warp and crumble memory foam and latex. For those, lay the pillow flat in a well-ventilated spot, away from direct sunlight, and flip it until it's dry through.
How to dry a pillow without lumps
Follow this 5-step low-heat drying sequence with 2 to 3 wool dryer balls to keep down and synthetic fills evenly fluffed:
- Set the dryer to low or air-dry. Never high heat — it clumps and can melt synthetic fill.
- Add two or three wool dryer balls (or clean tennis balls). They bounce through the filling, breaking up clumps and keeping it evenly distributed.
- Check every 20–30 minutes and fluff the pillow by hand.
- Confirm it's bone-dry before you stop. If the center feels cool, heavy, or damp, keep going. This step is the one most people rush — and it's the cause of musty pillows.
A hot dryer cycle does have one upside: at 130°F (54°C) or above for at least 15 minutes, the heat kills dust mites. If allergies are your concern and your pillow can take it, that's a bonus — more on that in our guide to what temperature kills dust mites.
Common drying mistakes
Skipping even 1 of these 4 drying precautions can scorch synthetic fibers, warp foam cores, or trap mildew-causing dampness in the center:
- High heat — melts synthetic fill, damages down.
- Stopping too early — a damp core means mildew and odor.
- Drying foam at all — air-dry only.
- No dryer balls — filling clumps into hard lumps.
A pillow that bounces back
Drying is easiest when a pillow is actually built for the laundry cycle. The Pillowash Crisp Washable Pillow is made to be washed and dried across 30+ laundry cycles and to keep its shape afterward, instead of clumping like a pillow that was never meant to get wet. See how the Pillowash Crisp pillow is built.
This guide is part of our complete pillow care guide. Need to wash first? Here's how to machine-wash a pillow.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a pillow in the dryer?
Most down and synthetic pillows can go in the dryer on low or air-dry. Memory foam and latex pillows cannot — heat damages the foam, so air-dry those instead. Always check the care label, and dry until the center is completely dry to avoid mildew.
What dryer setting should I use for pillows?
Use low heat or air-dry, never high heat, which can melt synthetic fill and damage feathers. Add a couple of wool dryer balls to prevent clumping, and check and fluff every 20–30 minutes until the pillow is dry all the way through.
How long does it take to dry a pillow?
It varies by filling and dryer, but expect a few cycles — often 60–90 minutes of total drying with checks in between. Don't go by time alone; go by feel. The pillow is only done when the center is completely dry, with no cool or heavy spots.