A bath pillow can transform even the most common bathroom into a relaxing oasis. Finally, you can rest your neck against the soft contours of a bath pillow rather than the hard porcelain edge of your tub.
To keep your bath pillow feeling fresh, it’s necessary to properly dry it out after every use and clean it every 1-2 weeks. Otherwise, you may find your bath pillow starts to develop an off odor. These funky smells are due to an accumulation of bacteria, germs, and fungus – which, left unattended, could cause mold to start growing inside your bath pillow.
While you don’t need to scrub your bath pillow out after each use, take a moment to rinse off any soap with cool water and squeezing it gently before hanging it to dry. Taking this extra step will ensure any bacteria that came off your body while you scrubbed yourself squeaky clean doesn’t make a home for itself inside your bath pillow.
Weekly Maintenance
You can throw your pillow in the washing machine every 1-2 weeks to keep it fresh. Keep your washer set on cold to prevent any damage to the fabric cover. If your bath pillow has suction cups on the back, place it in a laundry bag to prevent it from sticking to the sides of your machine.
Never put your bath pillow in the dryer. The high heat setting can damage the mesh cover and restrict airflow. You should always hang dry your pillow for maximum freshness. If you are in a rush to dry your pillow, you can use a hairdryer on low to gently speed up the process.
The washing machine will clean your bath pillow in a pinch, but you should still do a deep clean by hand every few months, especially if you see any signs of mildew.
Mildew is the beginning stages of mold. You won’t see any fuzzy green patches, just a little gray slime. Mildew could start on the interior or exterior of your bath pillow, so check it periodically between uses, especially if your pillow develops an off-smell.
Don’t worry. Mildew is extremely easy to eliminate with natural cleaning products you already have in your kitchen cabinets.
How to Deep Clean Your Bath Pillow
You’ll need:
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Water
- A Clean Sponge
- A toothbrush or other abrasive cleaning brush.
- Fill your tub with warm water.
- Mix a solution of half water and half vinegar, this may smell strong, but it will naturally kill off any bacteria lurking inside your bath pillow.
- Dip your sponge in the water and vinegar solution and begin to scrub your bath pillow gently. Pay particular attention to any areas you see signs of mildew.
- As you scrub, sprinkle on a bit of baking soda, this will react with vinegar to create a paste that will lift dirt and mildew from your pillow.
- If there are any stubborn areas, use your toothbrush to get in there and scrub away all that grime.
- Gently rinse your pillow with the warm water in the tub and repeat as necessary until the pillow is fresh and clean.
- Hang your bath pillow to air dry.
You can let your bath pillow dry in the sun to kill any remaining bacteria. Just know that the UV rays may fade the fabric cover. Don’t be too concerned about the astringent vinegar smell; it will dissipate quickly as the pillow dries.
Proper Storage
Once you have taken the time to deep clean your bath pillow, store it properly, so it retains freshness for longer. Don’t leave your pillow attached to your tub. Rinse and hang it to dry after every use. Otherwise, you will invite in mildew.
Use a fan or dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from your bathroom after you bathe or shower. This will help keep mildew from developing in your tile or bath linens, as well as your bath pillow.
Avoid storing your bath pillow in your bathroom when you aren’t using it. Otherwise, you invite more moisture to accumulate on your bath pillow every time you shower. Once your pillow has dried completely, preferably overnight, wrap it loosely in a plastic bag and store it in a cool dry place.
Elevate Your Bath Routine
Now that you know how to properly clean your bath pillow, what’s stopping you from elevating your self-care routine? A bath pillow provides a plush pad to rest your head and neck while indulging in a long luxurious soak.
Choose a pillow with a breathable mesh cover and a built-in drying hook to make airing it out after each bath faster and easier. Once you’ve upgraded to a bath pillow, you’ll finally find that release bathtime has always promised to provide.
