Frequently asked questions

No — the outer pillowcase is part of the Pillowash Crisp Pillow. It's a smooth, double-layer, cool-to-the-touch cover with a cotton inner side, and it machine-washes on its own. If you love your own linens, a standard-size pillowcase fits right over it.

The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is a standard 24" × 16" × 4.8" (L × W × H) and weighs about 2 kg (4.4 lbs). It fits standard-size pillowcases.

Full machine wash: core inside inner cover together, outer cover separately, mild detergent, no bleach. Because the whole pillow is washable you don't settle for surface spot-cleaning. Dry completely before reuse.

Neither alone is "better"—what matters is keeping head and neck level with your spine, which depends on sleep position and body size. The Crisp is a medium-supportive feel built to hold shape so your neck stays aligned.

The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is designed with airflow in mind. Its core uses an open Breath-Real™ structure, so air can move through the pillow rather than being sealed inside, and the outer pillowcase is a smooth, cool-to-the-touch fabric. That same open structure is what lets water run straight through on wash day, so the whole pillow drains and dries faster than a sealed foam pillow. Hot sleepers often prefer a breathable build like this, and the 30-night trial lets you try it risk-free.

Loft means pillow height, and the right loft depends on how you sleep. Per the Sleep Foundation: side sleepers need a higher loft to fill the shoulder-to-ear gap, back sleepers do best with medium, and stomach sleepers want something low and thin. The goal is the same either way — head level with your spine.

The Pillowash Crisp Pillow has a medium 4.8-inch profile that holds its shape, so it suits back and side sleepers especially. Strict stomach sleepers who like a very flat pillow may find it on the taller side. Every body is different, which is exactly what the 30-night trial is for — sleep on it, then decide.

Read our full guide to choosing a pillow by sleep position →

A pillow too high/flat/soft can push the neck out of alignment, which may contribute to morning stiffness; matching loft/support to your position usually helps. Recurring or severe pain → see a doctor.

Commonly down or down-alternative—chosen for a plush feel and easy cleaning/replacement between guests. That hygiene-and-easy-care thinking is also why a pillow you can actually wash and refresh at home fits.

Read our full guide to what pillows luxury hotels use →

Yes. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is built to be washed whole — cover and core. Slip the core inside its inner cover, machine-wash them together, and wash the outer cover on its own. It comes out the same shape it went in.

Read our complete guide to washing any pillow →

Washing the Pillowash Crisp Pillow is simple: keep the core inside its inner cover and put it straight in the machine — the inner cover stays on for the wash. Use a washer of at least 3 cu ft (8 kg), a mild detergent, and no bleach. Wash the outer pillowcase separately, away from anything sharp, zippered, or prone to bleeding color.

Read our full guide to machine-washing a pillow →

For the Pillowash Crisp Pillow's Clean-Deep™ core and inner cover, everyday washing at or below 140°F (60°C) is ideal, and a deep clean can go up to 176°F (80°C) — the hottest wash we recommend. The materials can tolerate up to 212°F (100°C), but you should not wash at that temperature; staying at or below 176°F keeps the pillow lasting longer. Wash the outer pillowcase in cold or room-temperature water.

For most people, washing the Pillowash Crisp Pillow every 3 months is plenty. Wash it monthly if you're sensitive to dust mites, every 1–2 months if you sweat a lot, and right away after an illness or any skin trouble. The outer pillowcase is happy to join your weekly sheets load.

Read our full guide to how often to wash your pillow →

The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is built for repeated washing — that's the whole idea. Use warm water for everyday washes and up to 176°F (80°C) for a deep clean, which is the hottest wash we recommend; the materials tolerate up to 212°F (100°C), but you should never wash at that temperature. Staying at or below 176°F keeps it in shape longest. Every pillow also comes with a 30-night trial and a 3-month warranty against manufacturing defects.

You can sleep on the Pillowash Crisp Pillow straight out of the box, but a quick first wash never hurts — plenty of people run the covers through a cycle before night one. Unlike most pillows, this one is actually built for it. Entirely your call.

Air it out in airflow + sunlight a few hours to release moisture/odor; or sprinkle baking soda on the cover, let sit, vacuum off. A full machine wash is still the real deep-clean.

Air it in sunlight + fresh air several hours and baking-soda-then-vacuum the cover to cut odor/moisture. These freshen but don't replace cleaning—deep clean = machine wash (core inside inner cover; outer cover separately, mild detergent).

Hand-wash in a clean tub with lukewarm water + mild detergent: wash core inside the inner cover, press water through; wash outer cover separately; no bleach; rinse clear; press (don't wring); air-dry fully.

Read our full guide to cleaning a pillow without washing it →

Use a pillowcase washed weekly, air it out in sun now and then, vacuum/baking-soda the cover between washes—cuts sweat/oil/odor buildup. When it needs a real clean, it's fully machine washable.

Yes — the dryer is fine on low heat. Or skip it: thanks to the Pillowash Crisp Pillow's open Breath-Real™ structure, water drains through the core instead of being sealed in, so it air-dries faster than a typical washed pillow when set in a well-ventilated spot. Once the wash is done, you can slip the core out of its inner cover to speed up air-drying, and dry the outer pillowcase on low, under 122°F (50°C). Always confirm it's fully dry before use.

Read our full guide to drying a pillow after washing →

No — there's nothing inside to clump. Pillows turn lumpy after washing when loose fill (shredded foam, down, or polyester stuffing) shifts and balls up in the drum. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow's core is a solid piece of food-grade silicone and reticulated foam, not loose fill, so it holds its shape and springs back wash after wash.

Air-dry flat on a rack or hang in a ventilated, sunny spot; remove the core from the inner cover so both dry separately. The core's open-channel foam drains water so it dries faster than traditional fills. Flip occasionally; confirm fully dry before use.

Either works on low heat—wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls keep it moving and drying evenly without flattening. Add two or three; stick to low heat.

Depends on method; the Pillowash Crisp dries faster than most fills because its open-channel core drains water instead of soaking it. Tumble dry low is quickest; air-dry faster if you separate core from inner cover. Confirm dry throughout before sleeping.

Press the center and thickest parts for cool/damp/heavy spots—the inside dries slower than the surface. Fully dry = light, even spring-back, no musty smell. Drying completely prevents mildew/odor.

Tumble dry low with dryer/tennis balls; the open-channel core shortens drying vs other pillows. Air-drying: separate core from inner cover, good airflow + sun.

Depends on the pillow. The Pillowash Crisp is dryer-safe on low heat (or air dry). Many aren't—solid memory foam, latex, some down can't take heat/tumbling. Check the care label; when unsure use low/no heat.

Read our full guide to putting a pillow in the dryer →

Foam/rubber-based pillows are the concern—fire-safety authorities warn solid foam and latex can overheat, melt, or scorch and shouldn't be tumble-dried. The Crisp core is engineered dryer-safe on low heat. Still dry on low.

No—heat can deform/melt solid foam, it dries unevenly trapping moisture, and fire-safety groups flag foam in dryers as a melt/fire risk. Spot clean and air it out. The Crisp, by contrast, is dryer-safe on low.

The Pillowash Crisp Pillow's core is food-grade silicone and reticulated foam, made with no harmful substances. Any new pillow can have a faint just-out-of-the-box smell; if you notice one, give it a few hours of fresh air, or simply run it through the wash. Unlike most new pillows, this one is built to be washed, so you can wash it before its first night if you like, and its open structure airs out quickly.

Yes — that's the whole point of a washable pillow. Yellow stains are mostly sweat and body oil soaking in month after month, which is why ordinary pillows look the way they do after a year. Wash the Pillowash Crisp Pillow every few months and stains never get the chance to build up. For a pillow that's overdue, run a deep clean at up to 176°F (80°C).

Two smells, two causes. A sour note usually means sweat bacteria weren't fully rinsed out. A musty note means the pillow didn't dry all the way through — trapped moisture starts to sour, which is common with ordinary pillows.

The fix is the same either way: wash the cover and the core, then dry it completely — low-heat dryer or a breezy spot. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow's open-channel Breath-Real™ core is built against this: water drains out instead of getting trapped, so it rinses cleaner and dries faster than sealed fills.

Read our full guide to why pillows smell →

Dab with a cloth + water + mild detergent, working stain edge inward; no bleach; blot don't rub; air-dry fully. Anything soaked deeper → full machine wash.

From sweat, body oils, saliva, damp hair, and skincare soaking in and oxidizing over months—normal, not a defect. With a fully washable Pillowash Crisp, that buildup is removable in the wash, not permanent.

Read our full guide to why pillows turn yellow →

Make a paste of baking soda + a little white vinegar and work into stains, OR use an oxygen/hydrogen-peroxide whitener. Don't combine peroxide + vinegar in one step. Then wash per the care-tag temperatures. Skip chlorine bleach.

Yes—baking soda lifts oils/odor, a little white vinegar cuts yellowing; apply, let sit, wash. If using hydrogen peroxide instead, use it alone (not mixed with vinegar).

Yes, an oxygen/peroxide whitener works and is gentler than bleach; don't mix with vinegar in the same step. Apply, then wash the whole pillow at care-tag temperatures.

Use a pillow protector, wash on a regular schedule (don't wait for stains), and let hair/skincare dry before bed so less oil transfers. A washable pillow makes a routine easy to keep.

Pre-treat with baking-soda + white-vinegar paste or an oxygen whitener, then wash on the normal cycle; don't mix peroxide + vinegar; wash cases weekly.

More sweat, oil, and moisture reaching the pillow—heavy sweaters, damp-hair sleepers, no protector—plus how often you wash. A washable pillow lets you clean out buildup on your schedule.

Bacteria breaking down absorbed sweat; worse in humid rooms. Real fix = full wash of cover + insert, then dry fully so nothing stays damp.

Body oils/perspiration soaked in faster than your wash routine clears them—worse for hot sleepers. Wash cover + insert and dry fully; a fully washable pillow lets you stay ahead on schedule.

Sprinkle baking soda, let sit a few hours, vacuum off; airing in sun helps. These freshen the surface but don't remove what's soaked in—a real reset is a full wash whenever you're ready.

The biggest difference: the Pillowash Crisp Pillow is built to be machine-washed whole — core and all. Most foam pillows can't get wet, so you only wash the cover while sweat and skin oils stay sealed inside the foam over the years. The Pillowash core is food-grade silicone and reticulated foam with an open Breath-Real™ structure, so the whole pillow can be washed, and because water drains through instead of soaking in, it dries faster than a sealed foam pillow.

Usually nothing good—solid memory foam soaks water, stays soggy and can mildew before drying; agitation can tear it and it may not regain shape. Most is spot-clean only. The Crisp is washable by design instead.

Read our full guide to washing memory foam pillows →

Sometimes, brand-dependent—some allow a gentle cold cycle, many are spot-clean only, and even washable ones clump/dry slowly. Go by the label. The Crisp removes the guesswork (core washes inside the inner cover).

Read the care label—look for "machine wash" + temp/cycle; "spot clean only"/"dry clean" mean it isn't. Solid foam/latex usually aren't. The Crisp is washable by design.

Read our complete guide to washing any pillow →

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests replacing ordinary pillows about every 2 years — largely because you can't get them clean. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow flips that logic: when it gets dirty, you wash it instead of tossing it. Keep up a wash every few months and it stays fresh for the long haul. Manufacturing defects are covered by a 3-month warranty.

Read our full guide to when to replace your pillow →

No printed date, but they wear out—most last ~1–2 years before fill breaks down and support fades (Sleep Foundation, Cleveland Clinic). A washable pillow stays fresh longer, though support still degrades.

The 10-second fold test (won't spring back = done), plus morning neck/shoulder soreness, lumps/sagging, heavy yellowing, worse nighttime allergies. Washing handles odor/buildup, but replace any pillow once it stops holding shape.

In a hygiene sense, yes—washing removes the sweat/oil/allergen buildup that makes people toss pillows early, so it stays fresh longer between replacements. But support still wears down—replace once it no longer springs back.

Rough guide: memory foam ~2–3 yrs, down 1–3 yrs, polyester 6 mo–2 yrs (varies with use/care). A washable design helps hygiene-wise; still replace any pillow once it stops springing back.

Not curbside—synthetic fill/foam contaminate recycling streams. Use textile-recycling drop-offs (ATRS bins, TerraCycle, Trashie) that take soft goods; check the program first.

Sometimes—most thrift stores won't take used pillows for hygiene reasons, but many animal shelters welcome CLEAN ones for bedding; call your local shelter first.

Try textile recycling (ATRS/TerraCycle/Trashie) or a local animal shelter (clean pillows, call first); curbside won't take them. A washable pillow you refresh instead of replace keeps more out of the landfill.

Read our full guide to what to do with old pillows →

Most pillows are safe to sleep on. A brand-new pillow can sometimes have a faint "new" smell that fades after you let it air out for a day or two. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow's core is food-grade silicone and reticulated foam, made with no harmful substances, and its open, breathable structure airs out quickly.

Yes. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow's core is food-grade silicone and reticulated foam, made with no harmful substances. Its open structure stays breathable, and because the whole pillow is washable, you keep it clean by washing it rather than relying on chemical treatments.

It depends on the brand, and it's a fair thing to wonder about. In the U.S., the main flammability standard (TB117-2013) applies to upholstered furniture, and bed pillows are generally excluded, so pillows usually aren't required to add flame-retardant chemicals. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow isn't treated with added flame retardants — its core is simply food-grade silicone and reticulated foam.

The Pillowash Crisp Pillow has three layers. The outer pillowcase is a smooth, cool-to-the-touch fabric — double-layered, with a soft cotton inner side. The inner cover is a moisture-wicking, quick-dry, high-stretch fabric. The core is food-grade silicone and reticulated foam, made with no harmful substances. Slip the core inside its inner cover to machine-wash them together, and wash the outer cover on its own.

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children generally shouldn't use a pillow until around age 2, and then only a small, firm one; for infants the CPSC advises "Bare is Best" — nothing but a fitted sheet in the crib — to reduce suffocation and SIDS risk. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is a full-size adult pillow and is not designed for infants, toddlers, or young children. Always follow your pediatrician's guidance.

Read our full guide to kids & pillow safety →

No—it's an adult pillow, not for infants/toddlers. The AAP recommends no pillow until ~age 2; the CPSC advises keeping infant cribs bare except a fitted sheet. For when your child can safely use a pillow, follow your pediatrician.

Read our full guide to kids & pillow safety →

Washing is one of the best defenses against dust-mite buildup — and the Pillowash Crisp Pillow is built to be washed whole. A U.S. national survey found dust-mite allergen in 84% of American beds (Arbes et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology), and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends hot-water washing to keep mites in check. Most pillows can't take that. The Pillowash core and inner cover handle a deep clean at up to 176°F (80°C), so you can wash the whole pillow, not just the case.

Read our full guide to how to get rid of dust mites →

Washing in hot water is one of the best ways to keep dust-mite allergen from building up: the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Mayo Clinic note that bedding washed at 130°F (54.4°C) or hotter kills dust mites. Most pillows can't take a hot wash. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is built to be washed whole, with the core and inner cover handling a deep clean up to 176°F (80°C), so you can launder the whole pillow on a regular schedule. The pillow itself is not a medical or anti-allergy treatment.

Read our full guide to what temperature kills dust mites →

Research cited by allergy authorities shows tumble-drying at 130°F (54°C) or above for 15 minutes helps kill dust mites — that's a workaround for bedding you can't wash hot. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow doesn't need the workaround: you can hot-wash the whole pillow, then tumble-dry it on low or air-dry. Keep the Crisp off high-heat dryer settings. It isn't a medical treatment; for allergy or asthma symptoms, see a doctor.

Read our full guide to how to get rid of dust mites →

No — per Mayo Clinic and the American Lung Association, dust mites don't bite, sting, or live on people; they feed on shed dead skin, and any discomfort comes from an allergic reaction to their waste, not bites. As general hygiene, washing bedding regularly helps reduce allergen buildup, which is one reason a fully washable pillow like the Pillowash Crisp Pillow can be cleaned in full rather than just the case.

Read our full guide to how to get rid of dust mites →

Over time pillows collect sweat, oils, dead skin, and dust-mite allergens—AAFA suggests replacing most pillows ~every 2 years. The Crisp is designed to be fully washed, cover and core, so you keep it clean rather than let buildup accumulate.

Read our full guide to what's inside your pillow →

Sweat, oils, dead skin, and dust-mite allergens build up—one reason AAFA recommends replacing most pillows ~every 2 years. Washing slows that; the Crisp is fully washable so the whole pillow can be cleaned regularly. A hygiene benefit; for allergy/asthma concerns, see a doctor.

Read our full guide to what's inside your pillow →

Dermatology sources (Cleveland Clinic, Healthline) suggest washing pillowcases at least weekly—more often if acne-prone—since they collect oil and dead skin. Hygiene, not treatment. The Crisp washes fully, not just the case. For ongoing skin concerns, see a dermatologist.

Read our full guide to pillows & your skin →

It may—oil/sweat/dead skin on a case can contribute to clogged pores in some people, though acne has many causes and evidence isn't conclusive. A clean sleep surface is sensible hygiene, not a cure. For persistent breakouts, see a dermatologist.

Read our full guide to pillows & your skin →

It can play a part—oil, product, and dead skin transfer between hair and case, so dermatology sources suggest washing your case ~weekly (more for oily hair). Hygiene, not a hair treatment. The Crisp washes fully, cover and core.

Read our full guide to pillows & your hair →

No—this is a myth. Per the AAD, hair loss is driven by genetics, autoimmune conditions, and traction, not a dirty pillow. Clean bedding is good hygiene but won't cause or cure hair loss. If you notice hair loss, see a dermatologist.

Read our full guide to pillows & your hair →

It may contribute—Mayo and Cleveland Clinic note poor sleep posture and neck strain can be associated with tension-type or cervicogenic headaches, and a pillow keeping the neck neutral may help alignment. Not a medical treatment; frequent headaches → see a doctor.

Read our full guide to pillows & headaches →

Shipping is free on every order within the US — no minimums, no codes. Pillowash ships your Pillowash Crisp Pillow within 1–2 business days, and standard delivery takes about 10–15 days. Taxes are already included in the price you see.

Pillowash ships anywhere in the United States — all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, plus Washington, D.C. We can't yet deliver to American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or APO/FPO addresses.

Not yet — Pillowash ships within the US for now, and we're working on expanding.

As soon as your Pillowash Crisp Pillow ships, Pillowash emails you a confirmation with your order number and a tracking link, so you can follow it to your door.

If anything pushes your delivery past the normal window, Pillowash emails you right away with a new delivery date — and you can either accept it or cancel for a full refund. Your choice, no questions asked.

If the pillow has a quality issue or arrived damaged, Pillowash covers return shipping. If it's a change-of-mind return or the pillow was accidentally damaged at home, return shipping is on you.

Pillowash accepts all major credit cards and PayPal. We don't accept cash, checks, or money orders.

Enter your code in the "Discount Code" box at checkout. You can use one code per order — and if you forget to apply it, email support@pillowash.com and the Pillowash team will sort it out.

Every Pillowash order triggers a confirmation email with your order number. If it's not in your inbox, check your spam folder, then reach out to support@pillowash.com and we'll resend it.

Every Pillowash Crisp Pillow comes with a 30-night money-back guarantee, and the 30 nights start the day it's delivered. You're welcome to sleep on it and machine-wash it (following the care instructions) during your trial — we suggest giving it at least 15 nights for your body to adjust before you decide. To return it, the pillow needs to come back complete (all three layers: outer pillowcase, inner cover, and core), clean, and completely dry, with its sewn-in tags, care labels, and original packaging intact, plus your order number as proof of purchase. See our Refund Policy for full return details.

Yes — both sleeping on it and machine-washing it (following the care instructions) are covered during your 30-night trial. A returned Pillowash Crisp Pillow just needs to come back complete (all three layers: outer pillowcase, inner cover, and core), clean, and completely dry, with its sewn-in tags, care labels, and original packaging intact, plus your order number as proof of purchase. See our Refund Policy for full return details.

Once an order is placed, it usually can't be changed or cancelled. If it hasn't shipped yet, email support@pillowash.com right away and the Pillowash team will do what we can.

Once your return arrives and we've checked it, Pillowash issues your refund to your original payment method within 5 business days and emails you a confirmation. Depending on your bank or card issuer, it can take another 5–10 business days to show up on your statement.

Yes. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow carries a 3-month warranty against manufacturing defects — if a defect turns up, we replace your pillow with the same model, free. The warranty doesn't cover normal wear, accidents, or misuse.

Email support@pillowash.com with your order number and a photo of the issue, and the Pillowash team will take it from there.

The 30-night trial is for "this pillow isn't for me" — return the Pillowash Crisp Pillow within 30 nights of delivery for a full refund. The 3-month warranty is for "something's wrong with this pillow" — a manufacturing defect gets you a free same-model replacement. Trial first, warranty after.

Email support@pillowash.com with your order number and a photo, and Pillowash will make it right with a replacement or a full refund — return shipping on us for anything damaged or incorrect.