Modern home decorating uses pillows throughout the house, so it is essential to know how to fluff a pillow.

Whether you have pillows on your bed, couch, porch furniture, or anywhere between, each will need the occasional fluffing. Fluffing gives them a plump look that ties together the look of your furniture and makes it look warm and inviting.

Have you ever grabbed a pillow to lay down and realized it was flatter than your arm? That not only looks unattractive, but it can even lead to unrestful sleep. With a regular fluff, you can make your pillows both look and feel good.

While learning how to fluff a pillow sounds simple, there is even more to know. There are several methods to try and a handful of great benefits as well. In fact, fluffing regularly can even improve your health.

There is much more to pillow fluffing, and learning more about it will forever change how you look at your pillows. It has a greater purpose than you might realize.

The Purpose Behind Learning How To Fluff A Pillow

It is common knowledge to switch out or wash your pillowcase regularly, but have you ever thought about your pillow? If your pillow looks lumpy and flat, this is a good indicator that is is time to make some changes. Ideally, you should perform regular maintenance to avoid these sad-looking pillows.

However, not everyone remembers this. In a study by Sleepy People, a bedding company, they found that the majority of the people they surveyed throw away their old pillows when they become lumpy, look stained, and fail the sniff test. That wastes materials that they could have otherwise saved.

Instead, you can significantly increase the life of your pillows by learning how to fluff a pillow. First of all, it reduces the likelihood of the pillow becoming lumpy. It will retain its fullness longer so that you can enjoy it longer.

If you try fluffing them in the washer and dryer, you can also sanitize pillows. This can reduce staining and keep your pillows smelling fresh even after daily use. Actually, sanitizing your pillows comes with more benefits than just making them look plump.

The Truth About Pillow Hygiene

If you take the time to think about everyone and everything your pillows come in contact with, you will be shocked. Your decorative couch pillows touch all your visitors, family, pets, and who knows what else. Even your bedroom pillows come in contact with practically everyone who lives in the house.

What does this do to your pillows if you never fluff or wash them? The answer may leave you balking.

While you sleep on your bed pillows, you leave skin cells, sweat, and oils on the pillow that dust mites feed on. The warm and humid environment is the perfect environment for them to thrive, and they leave their feces all over and in your pillow.

This debris is an allergen for many people, leaving them with a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and urge to sneeze.

All of your skin cells, along with the dust mites and their fecal matter, can actually increase the weight of your pillow over time.

You also may have heard that pillows also share a common trait with toilet seats: they both tend to have fecal matter on them. While this sounds revolting, this is normal because people always have fecal matter on them and their belongings.

If you have pets around your pillows, they have probably left traces of their feces and dander on them as well.

Last of all, studies have also found numerous fungal species on pillows. One of the common strains is Aspergillus fumigatus, which can trigger asthma and weaken the immune system of some people.

Admittedly, this is enough for most people to start making changes, including learning how to fluff a pillow.

How To Fluff A Pillow And Sanitize It

You may be wondering how to fluff a pillow properly and how to sanitize pillows. Thankfully, the process for both is quite simple.

Some methods only keep the filling from matting together due to the accumulation of dirt and moisture. That is true for synthetic, down, or feather pillows, although each material has its own unique qualities.

Other methods do a great job of both plumping and sanitizing the pillows in your home. That can entail using your washer and/or dryer, but the sun can work wonders as well.

There are multiple ways to keep your pillows plump and fresh, so you can choose whichever method works better for your needs.

However, no matter how you sanitize and re-fluff your couch pillows, you should fluff them daily for increased longevity. You will notice a difference in the long run, and you will not have to throw out pillows so often.

Fluffing Made Easy

The best action you can take to avoid sad and droopy pillows is to manually fluff them daily. You may be wondering how to fluff a pillow properly, but there is no set technique.

One easy way to do it is to give the pillow a gentle shake on each side. That redistributes the stuffing so that it is not gathered all in one space. For particularly tough patches, you may need to pull parts of the stuffing apart and lightly fluff it again.

After the fluffing, allow the pillow to sit uncovered so that it can breathe and air out.

Rotation Is Key

While learning how to fluff a pillow is great, you should also rotate the pillows every now and them. That means flipping them over and resting the pillow on a different side than before. Every so often, after you fluff pillows for the day, lay them back down differently.

By rotating and flipping your couch, bed, and porch pillows, you can prevent them from molding to the furniture. When they are not molded to the furniture, they look fuller and plumper. That is more pleasing to the eye and better for a peaceful rest.

Use The Washing Machine

Perhaps some have never even thought about washing a pillow because a voice in their head says the washing machine will ruin it. That is true if you do it wrong, but you can wash most pillows without an issue. You should do this about twice a year.

For example, wash feather pillows in lukewarm water that is approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For wool pillows, wash them in cool water. Use a third less of your standard gentle detergent, and do not use fabric softener.

Next, be sure to let the pillows spin to remove as much moisture as possible. Place them in the dryer, preferably with wool dryer balls, and put the setting on low temperature. That will both fluff and sanitize your pillows.

Using The Dryer

If you want to know how to fluff a pillow in the dryer, this is a lifesaver when you are pressed for time. Just make sure you use your dryer’s air cycle so that the temperature is not too hot.

It is also crucial to add dryer balls with your pillows. However, tennis balls will also work if you do not have dryer balls.

When these balls are in the dryer, they bounce around and essentially pound any flatness and lumps out of it. They can also add a pleasant scent if you add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oils to the dryer balls. That will help them pass the sniff test and stay fluffy.

Your Pillows Like Air and Sunshine Too

Some of you may also wonder how to fluff a pillow with just air and sunlight because it sounds a bit weird at first. However, it actually works.

When you sleep or lay on your pillows, moisture from your skin seeps into the material. This moisture then causes the stuffing to bunch up and create lumps. When you hang your pillows out on a clothesline in the sun, it dries up the moisture and makes it easier to fluff.

The sun can also freshen the material, so you should do this multiple times a year for a few hours. You should even do it in the winter because below-freezing temperatures will kill the dust mites in your pillows.

Just make sure to not put them outside on a humid day because all the excess moisture can make it worse.

Trade The Germs For A Fluffy And Clean Pillow

There is so much more to pillows than looking nice on your bed, couch, or patio furniture. That is why it is extremely important to learn and to share how to fluff a pillow properly.

First of all, fluffing pillows helps them to maintain their full shape and prevents them from drooping.

Secondly, using a washer and dryer can also sanitize your pillows and get rid of all the dirt, grime, and fecal matter out of it.

Last of all, letting them air out and enjoy the sunshine can kill any germs and reduce the amount of moisture in the fabric.

By following these simple guidelines, you can have fresh and plump pillows that the whole family can enjoy.