Pillowcase Care and Storage Guide for Laundry Day
Check the care label, choose a suitable wash and drying method, and put pillowcases away only when fully dry.
In brief: Wash and dry each pillowcase according to its care label, then store it fully dry in a clean, dry place. Check cases individually, because fabric, dyes, and decorative finishes can affect the instructions.
Three things to remember
- Read the label before choosing washer or dryer settings.
- Treat delicate fabrics gently, especially wet silk.
- Check seams and corners for dampness before storage.
A weekly change is a useful starting point. Change a case sooner if it needs attention.
Keep a clean spare nearby, too. With another case ready for the bed, you can sort the used one with suitable laundry and give it enough time to dry, including those corners that sometimes take a little longer.
Read the care label first
Look beyond the fabric name. Two cotton pillowcases may have different trim or finishes, so their care instructions can differ even though both say cotton.
The symbols help you choose settings. A washtub means washing; a square containing a circle means tumble drying. Dots generally indicate temperature limits, lines beneath a symbol signal a gentler process, and a crossed-out symbol means you shouldn't use that treatment. This care-symbol guide explains other common shapes.
Caution: Don't guess at high heat or strong treatments when a label is missing or unreadable. Look for the manufacturer's instructions if they're available. The Federal Trade Commission's Care Labeling Rule guidance covers clothing and certain textile piece goods; don't assume it requires the same labeling for every pillowcase.
Wash the case separately from the pillow
Take the case off before washing it. Thing is, the pillow inside can have its own instructions, and the case's label won't tell you how to care for it.
Sort cases with laundry that suits their color and fabric, and close any zippers before they go in the machine. Choose a cycle and water temperature allowed by each case's label. Follow the detergent directions as well.
Check the label before using bleach or another stronger laundry product. If it says dry clean only, follow that instruction instead of putting the case in the washer.
Give silk a gentler routine
Not every silk pillowcase can be washed the same way. Some labels permit machine washing; others call for hand washing or dry cleaning.
For machine-washable silk, laundry experts cited by Good Housekeeping recommend gentle detergent and a mesh bag, or turning the case inside out. When the label permits hand washing, they suggest moving the silk gently through cool water rather than rubbing it against itself.
Wet silk needs a light touch. Don't twist or wring it. Gently squeeze the case or blot it with a clean towel, then follow its drying directions.
Allow enough time for drying
The washing instructions aren't the last ones to check. Look at the label again before choosing a drying method, and stay within its heat limit if it permits tumble drying.
Silk labels can differ here, too. Some permit air-only or low-heat tumble drying; others say to keep the case out of the dryer.
Before folding a case, feel the seams and corners as well as the flat fabric. They're part of the check, not an afterthought. If either spot is still damp, leave the case to dry longer using a method its label permits. That's where the spare comes in handy.
Store cases where you can find them
Put the cases away once they're completely dry. A clean, dry shelf, cupboard, or drawer will do. Keep them away from damp towels, and don't pack a case into a bag while it's still damp.
Folding can be simple. Choose the arrangement that works for your space:
- Stack cases together if you prefer to pick one at a time.
- Fold matching cases with their sheet set.
- Leave a spare within reach for laundry day.
Quick pillowcase care questions
What if a case comes out twisted or still damp?
Untangle it gently first. Then check the label before choosing how to finish drying it. If a machine-washable silk case tangles, try a mesh laundry bag on the next wash.
When should a case be mended?
Check it before the next wash. A fraying seam, torn edge, or snagged zipper is a reason to pause and mend the case first, so it's ready to use again.
Can the pillow go in the wash with its case?
Remove the case and check the pillow's own instructions separately. If you use a LilyPillow buckwheat hull pillow, keep the pillow out of the wash while you care for its case.
The bottom line
Follow each label for washing and drying, and put the case away only when its seams and corners are dry. Set out a clean spare before laundry day so the washed case has enough time.