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Fluffing pillows may seem like something a 5 year old can do with their eyes closed but to properly fluff a pillow takes a little maneuvering and maybe even a couple of tennis balls. No one and I mean NO ONE likes flat, deflated pillows that look like they have seen better days. Read on for our top tips on how to keep your pillows fluffy and full, day in and day out.
How to fluff a pillow
There are three different ways to fluff a pillow:
- In a dryer
- By hand
- Using fresh air
By hand
- Can be done with or without the pillowcase on
- Employ a gentler touch when it comes to down pillows; denser foam pillows can be pounded as much as you see fit
- In case your pillow has removable filling, you can also fluff from the inside
By far the easiest way to fluff your pillow and the technique that will work with all types of pillows – from memory foam pillows to feather pillows.
Fluffing your pillow by hand requires the use of both hands. Don’t be afraid to really get in there, especially if it’s something thick, loose and dense like shredded memory foam. For down and down alternative pillows like Tuft and Needle, a gentler touch should be employed since down and feathers are already very malleable. In fact, we recommend using the hand fluffing method for true down pillows as they are more prone to damage than foam pillows.
Some pillows have removable filling. In this case, you can fluff up the pillow from the inside as well – separating any clumps that may have formed.
Bonus: it feels somewhat therapeutic to pound a pillow to submission. It definitely does for me.
Using a dryer
- Make sure pillows are machine-washable and dryer-safe
- After washing pillows, place in dryer along with a clean tennis ball inside a tube sock
- Use low heat
- For extra fluffiness add dryer sheets
To fluff pillows using a dryer, first you need to make sure that you’ve got dryer-safe pillows. If you do, then it’s safe to assume that they are also machine-washable.
Washing pillows help ensure the freshness and longevity of your pillow. It also helps wash away any impurities such as dead skin cells, dust mites and bacteria. Machine-washable pillows are an excellent choice for those who suffer from seasonal allergies as well as those with kids.
Ever heard of the old tennis ball method? Not only does this work for pillows but really anything that has stuffing such as duvets and stuffed toys.
First, grab a couple of clean tennis balls (one usually does the trick but for larger pillows take two). Stick a tennis ball inside a clean tube sock. Place your pillow in the dryer, toss in the tube sock covered tennis ball and let it go to town. Using low heat, run the cycle until completely dry. Et voila! A fluffy pillow is reborn.
Note: bigger pillows like a body pillow may need an industrial size dryer. Again, please check your machine’s capacity. Avoid putting anything else in the dryer when drying and fluffing your pillow.
Fluff the pillow in fresh air
- Hang pillows on clothesline if available
- If not, air out in a clean, sunny spot
- Fluff pillows side to side as it hangs
Ah, the classic method. Leaving your bedding out in the sun has long been used as a way to keep them fresh. In fact, the Japanese sun their traditional futons daily without fail. Airing pillows out help keep foul odors away and can increase fluffiness of your pillow by doing away with any moisture that may have accumulated during your sleep.
Find a sunny spot in your backyard, balcony or anywhere outdoors. It would help massively if you have two pillows to pound together but if you only have one, you can bash it (gently, of course) against the lower half of your body.
Please avoid the temptation of bashing your pillow against an outdoor wall or outdoor tables and such – they could be dirty and dusty.
Another way is to hang your pillows out on a clothesline – either to sun or to dry – and make fists with both hands and pound your pillows from the side. Or, you can use a stick or even a clean rolling pin, just like how our ancestors did.
Note: If you use the fresh air method and you have just hung your pillow out to dry after washing, make sure that it is fully dry before attempting to re-fluff. A sopping wet pillow will not fluff up properly.
What are the benefits of fluffing a pillow
When you fluff a pillow, you help your pillow regain its shape and form. Pillows tend to dip in places where you lie on the most, just like with a mattress. Think of regular fluffing like rotating your mattress – only the re-fluffing must be done at least every couple of days.
Old pillows have lesser and flatter pillow fluff (stuffing or fill). This causes it to lose its loft as well as either firmness or softness. A pillow’s loft is important, especially when it comes to sleeping positions. The right pillow for me might not be the right one for you.
Higher loft pillows are good for back sleepers and side sleepers as they help with spinal alignment. Proper alignment during sleep helps you avoid waking up with any issues such as neck pain or headache. For stomach sleepers, a low loft pillow is the best pillow for proper spinal alignment.
Pillows lose their loft after a year or two of constant use. You can tell it has lost its loft when the center of the pillow lays flatter than its sides or it has gone completely flat. At this point, it is time to swap your old pillow for a new pillow. We also recommend the use of a pillow protector as well as a pillow case to increase the longevity of your pillow.
A flat pillow not only looks bad but can also help contribute to many a sleepless night so fluffy pillows are absolutely tantamount to a good night’s sleep (plus, no one can deny that they look nicer propped up on a well-made bed).
Pillows do, in fact, lose some of their loft with constant use. It’s a just the way it is. But to many, keeping a pillow fluffy may just mean a half-hearted pat down right before bed. Let me tell you now: that’s not going to do ANYTHING.
Believe it or not, flat pillows can even lead to neck and shoulder pain, especially if you are a side sleeper, which 60% of the US population are. While strict stomach sleepers are recommended by sleep experts to lay on a lower loft pillow, by no means should they sleep on pillows that look like they have lost most of their filling. Bear in mind that if your pillow looks AND feels like it has lost its filling, then it’s definitely time to replace your pillow.
But, if all it needs a bit of fluffing here and there, we got you covered.
Before anything else though, it is imperative that you thoroughly check your pillow’s care instructions to ensure proper handling so you can prolong the lifespan of your pillow.
Pro-life tip: Once you have found the technique that works for you from our tips above, follow the same steps either daily or weekly – and in the case of using a dryer, 2-3 times a month.
FAQs
You certainly can re-fluff a pillow. Regular fluffing helps your pillow retain its shape and loft.
You can fluff pillows that still has small lumps either by hand or in a dryer. Once the lumps have become bigger and harder, your pillow has gone past its prime and must be replaced. If your pillow is under warranty and has gone lumpy within the warranty period, contact the store or mattress brand for replace advice.
You can revive pillow stuffing through regular fluffing by any one of the methods discussed above.
Down pillows go flat because they are softer and completely malleable as opposed to denser foam pillows. They can be re-fluffed to full size by the hand fluffing method.
Your pillow should not be completely flat. A good pillow has an almost rounded, convex shape that is fuller in the middle and slightly tapered on the sides. A flat pillow is detrimental to your spinal alignment.
Conclusion
Just like with mattresses, pillows need proper care in order for sleepers to reap its full benefits as well as ensure the pillows’ longevity.
Simple as it may be to do, regular fluffing of pillows can help your pillows retain and regain their shape. This not only feels good to lay on but it full, properly fluffed pillows also look good and cozy on a bed.
Next step: If you’re looking for a pillow that stays fluffy over the long term, we highly recommend trying Coop Home Goods pillows. They have different options that work for all sleeping positions and, most importantly, they never lose their shape.
Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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