A little care keeps your buckwheat pillow or cushion fresh for years. None of it is complicated, and most of it takes just a few minutes every few weeks.
Buckwheat pillows and cushions
- Keep the hulls dry. Never wash buckwheat hulls; water damages them. If hulls get wet, spread them out on a towel to dry completely before putting them back in the cover.
- Wash the cover, not the fill. Unzip the cover and empty the hulls into a large bowl, bag or bin, then wash the empty cover (see fabric care below) and let it dry fully before refilling.
- Air the hulls out. Every few weeks, spread the hulls in a dry, sunny, well-ventilated spot for a few hours. This keeps them fresh and helps with the light, earthy scent hulls can have when new.
- Store extra hulls properly. If you remove hulls to lower your fill, keep them in a breathable bag or container, somewhere dry, so they're ready if you want to add them back.
- Top up over time. Hulls settle slightly with regular use. When your pillow feels flatter than it used to, add fresh buckwheat hulls. See our Firmness & Fill Guide for how much and how often.
Covers, by fabric
| Fabric | Wash | Dry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undyed cotton | Cold, gentle cycle | Air dry | Heat can shrink cotton; avoid hot dryer settings |
| Linen | Cold, gentle cycle | Air dry | Iron while slightly damp for a crisper finish; heat can shrink linen too |
| Printed cotton | Cold, gentle cycle | Air dry | Wash inside-out to help protect the block-print design |
In general, cold water, a gentle cycle and air drying treat any of our fabrics well. When in doubt, the cooler and gentler option is the safer one. None of our fabrics need dry cleaning or fabric softener, and both can affect how breathable the weave feels over time.
Zippers and closures
Close zippers before washing so they don't snag on other items in the wash, and check that the zipper pull is tucked in rather than dangling. Rope-tie closures on some linen pillows just need a simple retie afterward; if the tie ever feels loose, a firmer double knot holds better through a wash cycle.
Mattress toppers, protectors and pillow protectors
These items vary by material, so follow the care label sewn into each piece. When no label is available, a cold, gentle wash and air dry is a safe default.
Bags and towels
Follow the care label on the item. Most can be laundered on a cold, gentle cycle and air dried.
Storing pillows and cushions you're not using
Putting a pillow away for a season, or storing extra hulls you've removed? Keep both in a dry spot with some airflow. A breathable cotton or linen bag works better than a sealed plastic bin, which can trap moisture. Avoid damp basements or garages, and give hulls a chance to air out again once you bring them back into use.
A few things to avoid
- Don't wash buckwheat hulls or put them in the dryer.
- Don't dry-clean; our fabrics don't need it, and the solvents aren't necessary.
- Don't store hulls somewhere damp, which can affect them over time.
- Don't leave a wet cover balled up; lay it flat or hang it while it dries.
Questions about caring for a specific item? Contact us and we'll help.