It’s bad if you use unsanitary or improperly cleaned camping pillows for each of your trips. They can stink and make you uncomfortable. You will even be allergic to their dirt. Therefore, we sincerely recommend that you carefully learn the method of cleaning camping pillows to help yourself have a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
So how to wash a camping pillow? Don’t worry about this, because we have you with us. Right below, we will introduce you to various information on how to clean camping pillows, along with some notes.
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How Often Should I Wash My Camping Pillow?
Camping is a modern entertainment method many people choose today. With this form of entertainment, you can both enjoy the beauty of nature and relax after months of hard work. However, that wonderful feeling will disappear if you are lying on unsanitary camping pillows.
We need to clean our camping pillow thoroughly, so each of your trips is valuable. In general, depending on our preferences and conditions, each of us should have a way to adjust the time to clean the pillow so that it is reasonable. Accordingly, the ideal time for you to clean your pad is about every 3-4 months. You can completely adjust the time to a lower level if that’s what you want. We also remind you that you should not clean too much because that will affect the structure and smoothness of the pillow.
Different Methods for Cleaning
There are many ways to clean camping pillows for you. In particular, each method has its strengths and limitations. In this section, we’ll cover three specific pillow cleaning methods that you can try. All of these methods have been tested by us for cleanliness and safety, so you can rest assured.
Machine Washing
Machine wash is an easy way to clean camping pillows that we would recommend to you. The cleaning efficiency of this method reaches 70-80%, not wasting time like other methods. However, the biggest limitation of this method is that it can tear or damage the outer material of the pillowcase. Therefore, before putting the pillow into the machine, you need to check the material and characteristics of the product carefully.
For example, if you are using an inflatable camping pillow, you need to make sure to get all the air out of the pillow. Pillowcases are usually made of rubber, the rate of a puncture due to camera rotation is very high, so you also need to consider carefully and adjust the rotation speed accordingly. Never use warm water to wash this camping pillow, as it can deform the pillow. Combined with that, you need to open the Velcro of the pillowcase to get the rubber bag out. Only then will you achieve the absolute protection and cleaning effect for the pillowcase.
On the other hand, if you cannot remove the latex bag from the pillowcase, you are better off using your hands to clean the pillow.
Hand Washing
Hand washing is always the ideal hygiene method in different situations, and camping pillows are no exception. All you need to do is prepare yourself with soap, water, and a brush. You need to soak the pillow in soapy water first. The purpose of making the pillow-soft is to make it easier to clean.
For stubborn stains that normal operations cannot remove, you can use a non-abrasive brush and proceed to scrub them. On the other hand, if the colors are deep in the pillow and there is no way to clean them, you should use a little detergent. Note, the detergents we give here are those with small active ingredients, which do not affect the quality of the product.
At the end of the cleaning process, you also need to have certain knowledge about drying them. You need to limit the direct exposure of the sun to the products as much as possible because they can very well fade the color of the pillows and make them look less aesthetically pleasing.
Materials Needed
Based on actual surveys, we recommend hand washing for your camping pillows. Although they are time-consuming, they can, in turn, ensure the safety and quality of your products.
For this method, you need to prepare a container, soap, and a brush. These items are very simple, and anyone can buy them themselves, which will bring an amazing cleaning effect for you.
How To Wash A Camping Pillow
The vast majority of customers today tend to choose air pillows for their camping trips. Because they are softer and more comfortable than many conventional pillows. Besides, cleaning them is also very simple. In this section, we will show you in detail how we can clean ultra-light and premium pillows.
Step 1: Remove the bladder
We need to make sure that the bladder is removed before proceeding with the washing. You do not need to use any specialized soap, and ordinary soap can completely remove stains on pillows.
Step 2: Use the power to clean the pillow
Put the pillowcase in soapy water and gently knead it. In essence, at this step, you are using your strength to remove dirt on the pillow. You can also use your legs if your hands feel tired. However, the foot will not provide a high cleaning effect.
Step 3: Clean the soap
When you think your pillow is clean, wash it off with soap and water. The number of washes will depend on your assessment of the quality of the pillow. The advice we give you is 3-4 washes, so you can ensure that the pad is clean and still maintain the quality of the product.
Step 4: Proceed to dry the product
After washing the pillowcase, you need to plan the drying process correctly. Do not dry the pillow with a dryer or any machine with high heat because they will deform the pillowcase. Better yet, you should dry them in the sun. In addition, be careful not to expose the pillow to direct sunlight because it may fade the product’s color.
You can use a thin layer to wrap around the pillowcases and dry them gently. Thus, these methods both help to dry faster and keep the color of the product. Of course, you also need to make sure to dry the pillowcase to avoid mold and unpleasant odors.
How To Wash An Inflatable Pillow
Fillo camping pillow is one of the brightest nominations for this category. It is the perfect camping pillow and brings many health benefits to users. If your Fillo™ is lightly soiled, you can clean it with a wet cloth. On the contrary, if it is a stubborn stain or too much oil, you need to follow our cleaning steps below strictly:
Step 1: Clean Fillo with a washing machine
For Fillo, we recommend using front-loading models instead of top-loading models. Because the vertical door model will most likely affect the quality of the pillows, possibly even tearing them if you are negligent.
Before putting the pillow in the machine, you need to remove the airbag and active mesh part from the block. With this pillow model, you should clean them with regular warm water, not containing bleach or product softeners. Only in this way can we achieve high cleaning efficiency.
Use Nikwax Tech Wash to clean oil and dirt on pillows. You should follow the enclosed instructions for use for the best removal of dirt and oil.
Step 2: Dry the pillowcase
You can dry the pillowcase with ordinary dryers with low heat without affecting the quality of the pillow. If you are not in a hurry, you can completely let the pillowcase dry naturally until no moisture is left.
General Cleaning Tips
We think that the cleaning of pillowcases is extremely important and can bring you wonderful moments of relaxation with your loved ones on every trip. Here, we would like to share some essential general hygiene tips for you to have a smelling, clean and soft camping pillow.
- Always clean your camping pillow right after your trip is over. By doing so, you will help your pillow stay clean and last longer. Absolutely do not store pillows in a moldy and smelly state because this action will probably cause you to have that camping pillow.
- If you think your camping pillow is still very clean and does not need to be cleaned, you need to make sure it is dry to be stored. Or you can also dry it outdoors at a moderate temperature and then keep it.
- Regardless of the cleaning method you use, the most important factor is that you need to dry them before storing them.
- How long it takes to clean depends on the condition of the pillow. If the cushions are not too dirty or have very light stains, you should use wet wipes to clean them. Limit washing them too many times, as this will shorten the life of the product.
How to store a Camping Pillow
By storing them properly, you will somewhat increase the length and quality of their use. So how to preserve it properly? Follow along with the shares we have given below!
Step 1: Check the camping pillow
You need to make sure your pillow is clean and dry before you can store it. Pillows should not be held when they are still wet because this will easily cause mold and unpleasant odors.
Step 2: Store
In fact, many people have used the method of preserving by compressing pillows in different nylon darks. However, these preservation methods are ineffective, affecting the pillow’s shape, size, and quality. Better yet, you should store the pad most comfortably. You can keep them in a cupboard or wrap them in a plastic bag and leave them in an unobstructed space. Only in this way can its lifespan be extended.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning a Camping Pillow
There are many reasons why camping pillows fail. And the main motivation comes from the way we clean. To minimize mistakes in cleaning, we will give some notes below:
- Do not use chemicals or strong detergents to clean camping pillows: Today, most camping pillow models do not allow the use of detergents or chemicals. Because they will deform, reducing the life of the product. Moreover, they also affect our hands when directly in contact with these chemicals.
- Do not go against the instructions printed on the product: This is not recommended because you are destroying the product. The best way is to follow the instructions exactly.
- Do not wash too hard on the pillow: Regardless of the stubborn stain, treat it gently, do not rub too hard on the product’s surface. This will cause them to tear and even cause injury to yourself if the force is too strong.
- Do not wash the pillow without exhausting the air: This is a taboo that you should check carefully before cleaning. The air inside the pad when cleaning will affect the cleaning process and product quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Can you wash a camping pillow in the washing machine?
A.You can completely wash your camping pillow in the washing machine. However, this cleaning method may be recommended for some special product models, and you can completely read it in the instructions for use before buying a pillow.
We recommend using a front-loading washing machine to clean camping pillows rather than a top-loading machine. Using the right washing machine will cause a lot of inconvenience for you when cleaning and can even tear or damage the pillowcase.
On the other hand, if you have time, you should use your hands to clean. Because the cleaning efficiency is higher than that of a washing machine and can prolong the product’s life. The fact that you regularly use the washing machine to clean pillowcases will most likely affect the quality of their use in the future.
Q.How do you wash a camping pillow without ruining it?
It’s very simple, and you just need to fully follow the steps and notes above that you can clean them easily and do not affect their quality. Proper cleaning at the right time is the perfect hygiene criterion that you should consider.
Q.Can I put a camping pillow in the dryer?
A.If your neck pillow is machine washable, use a mild detergent and washing cold machine setting to clean it. For airplane neck pillows that can’t be put in the dryer, you’ll need to hang them up to dry. Use low heat for dryer sheets.
Q.Are Inflatable Pillows Washable?
A.The inflatable pillow is completely washable. But before washing, you need to remove the steam and the rubber bag from the pillow. What you clean is just a pillowcase. After cleaning the air pillow, you should use drying methods in the sun. Never use a dryer to dry this product, as its heat can seriously affect the shape and size of the product.