How to Fix a Lumpy Pillow Without a Dryer

If the filling of your favourite pillow has become lumpy but you’re not ready to part with it just yet, all is not lost. 

In fact, there are several ways to restore a lumpy pillow, even without a dryer. 

Keen to find out how? Keep reading as we explore some of the common causes of clumped up pillows and how to prevent and fix them for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Why Does My Pillow Feel Lumpy?

Over time, your pillows can become lumpy the more you sleep on them.

This happens for several reasons. The lightweight filling becomes compressed under the weight if your head and shoulders as you lie on it. And, if you don’t straighten it out regularly, you may experience clumping.

Lumpy pillows can also be a result of sweat and oils getting into your pillows, causing the filling to clump together.

Finally, fabric conditioner can leave a residue that sticks the stuffing materials together, so avoid using it when washing your pillows.

 

Can You Fix Lumpy Pillows?

Generally speaking, as long as your pillow bounces back to its standard shape after being folded in half, there’s still life in it and you can fix the lumpiness. 

Feather and down pillows are the most likely to go lumpy since the filling is loose, though cheap synthetic materials are also vulnerable to clumping. However, their texture can be improved in a few different ways. 

If, on the other hand, you have a memory foam pillow that has developed lumps, you’ll need to replace it. While it takes longer to clump up than other fillings, you can’t fix lumpy foam.

 

5 Ways to Fix a Lumpy Pillow Without a Dryer

1. Fluff it up by hand

The simplest way to fix a lumpy pillow is by fluffing it up every morning. Pick the pillow up with one hand on either side, and then push in and out several times to help move the filling into the centre of the pillow. 

Once you’ve done the long side, move onto the shorter side and repeat the process. You should then give it a shake and a few firm pats to even the stuffing out. 

Alternatively, place two tennis balls inside a sock and use them to hit the pillow and flatten any remaining lumps out. 

As well as fixing lumps, fluffing your pillows will help prevent them becoming flat and misshapen after 7-8 hours of compression through the night.

2. Massage the lumps out

Another easy way to remove lumps from your pillows by hand is to massage them out. 

To do this, lay your pillow on a clean, dry surface and use the palm of your hand to feel for any clumps. When you find one, either massage it out with your palm or use your fingers to break it apart through the case. 

If the lump is in the corner of the pillow and you’re struggling to work it out, take a rolling pin and gently roll from the outside in to disperse the clumped-up contents. 

When you’re done, fluff up the pillow to distribute the filling more evenly.

3. Remove and un-clump the stuffing

If massaging and fluffing up your pillows doesn’t remove all the lumps, the next step is to remove the stuffing from the pillowcase. 

This way, you can see what you’re working with and pull the clumps apart by hand before reinserting the filling and giving it a shake to reshape it. 

Some pillows have a zip for easy access to the stuffing. 

However, in most cases, you’ll need to unpick the stitching at one end of the pillow and then sew it back up once you’ve reinserted the stuffing.

4. Air it outside

As lumpy pillows can be caused by a build-up of sweat and oils secreted during your sleep, it’s also a good idea to air your pillows out now and again. 

To do this, place them outside on a dry, sunny day to help any moisture that has been absorbed to evaporate. 

Lay your pillows out on a drying rack or a clean, slatted table to allow the air to circulate. Either way is fine, just avoid hanging feather pillows on the washing line as the filling will accumulate in a ball at one end. 

After an hour or so, flip the pillows over so the other side gets some sun. Once fully dry, it will be much easier to fluff them up and separate the feathers inside.

5. Protect your pillow and turn it regularly

In addition to airing your pillows out, adding a protective cover like this microfibre pillow protector is a great way to avoid clumps in the first place. That way, any moisture will be absorbed by the cover inside the pillowcase, rather than the pillow’s stuffing. 

And, last but not least, remember to turn your pillows regularly. If you always sleep on the same part, you’ll likely squash the filling in that section while the rest remains unevenly fluffy, resulting in lumpy pillow. 

However, if you flip your pillow every night or even each time you change position, you can rearrange any bunched-up filling and remove uncomfortable lumps. 

And that’s it—fixing a lumpy pillow without a dryer is that simple! Try any of the suggestions above or combine several for best results.

Interested in learning more about caring for your bedding? From how to wash feather pillows to what to do if your duvet won’t fit in your washing machine, you’ll find a host of tips and tricks to help you out in the laundry section of our blog.