Washing pillows - has anyone managed this successfully?

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I put a couple of pillows in the wash the other day, and despite following all the instructions they ended up lumpy and mis-shapen so have had to go in the bin. This isn't the first time it's happened, but they do have wash instructions on them so I presume it's possible.

Any tips?

I always manage to mess it up too.

Depends what the filling is I think - if it's pillow-shaped wadding it can work (I know what I mean, honest!)

I have washed them successfully anyway - I usually put 2 in together, with 1 bath towel underneath, 1 in between & 1 on top (to bash them about a bit, otherwise they just stick themselves to the drum & go round & round in the same place)

If the wadding has gone into a ball when they come out you need to either throw them about, smacking the middle with both hands, or else feel for the corners of the wadding, take hold of them while simultaneously pinching the corners of the fabric, & then shaking down.

It is much harder to explain than to do

I have successfully washed feather/down pillows but always end up with a lumpy mess if I try and wash synthetic ones

I've done my synthetic ones by safety pinning down each side. It sort of seems to hold most of the filling in place. 6 pins should do it.

I washed my hollow fibre pillows - just put two tennis balls in with the pillow in the tumbledrier ...

I have, but have had disasters too, i just cut open the side where the seam is and sorted the stuffing and sewed it back. I must have been feeling very motherly that day because i have no idea why i bothered

Ponders - I performed a similar routine to no avail which ended with me jumping up and down with frustration I clearly don't have the knack!

weasel I will try your pin method
fleshwound I have those eco ball things but it seems they didn't help, ah well!

I'm glad it's not just me