Step one: If you can, remove the pillows from their covers and check both for any tears. You shouldn’t wash damaged pillows because the filling might come out– set them aside to be washed separately as indicated by the manufacturer.

Step two: Put at least two pillows in the washing machine at once. It’s always best to wash two together so that the load stays balanced.

Step three: Choose the delicate setting on your washing machine and add laundry products as desired. Be sure to select cold water to avoid shrinking your pillows during the wash cycle.

Step four: Once again set the machine to delicate and this time includes an extra rinse. This will help ensure that no detergent residue remains after washing. Let the Extra Rinse cycle finish before removing your pillows from the washer.

Fact

Adults between 18 and 64 need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Adults over 65 need 7-8 hours.

Myth

Daytime sleepiness automatically means that someone isn’t getting enough sleep at night.

This is not always the case. While it is true that daytime sleepiness can be caused by lack of sleep at night, there are also many other common causes. Sleep apnea and narcolepsy can result in daytime sleepiness, for example. Many other underlying medical conditions can cause a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion during the day, even if the person has had plenty of hours of sleep at night. Don’t be too quick to dismiss a medical cause.