Need Help!! - Mount Pleasant,PA

If you have a front-loader, it's much gentler than top-loaders and so less likely to make it lumpy. Otherwise use the gentle cycle, and toss in sneakers or a tennis ball to the wash and dryer--it breaks up lumps. Otherwise, this might mean a new pillow! Have an extra on hand for emergencies.

Best of luck!

Wash as normal with a balanced load in the washer (another pillow, towel, etc. so it doesn't get bunched up during the wash. You may need to adjust during wash cycle. Then put tennis balls in the dryer to "fluff" the pillow as it dries. I also usually dry on medium and run a couple times so it isn't dried quickly in a lumpy position.

I always wash two pillows at a time to balance the load, with my old top loader and my newer front loader. I used a short, gentle wash in hot water with a touch of bleach to help disinfect. Then I did a double rinse to get all bleach and chemicals out so we won't be breathing it in at night, lol.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

Depending on what it's made of, the washing will work or won't. With this economy, try it:)

As for being lonely, check out www.momsclub.org. It's meant for stay-at-home moms and we only meet during the day (and kids are welcome - no issues with babysitting!). It might help you meet folks in your area!

Have you tried going to www.meetup.com? That's how I found the current Mom's group I'm in. You can look up by State, City and what you are looking for. Mom's group. Playgroups, etc.

Good luck and glad the pillow came out good.

Thanks for the update!

1. Pillows can usually be washed

2. Those allergy relief pillow covers are great! They wear out occasionally and need replacing.

3. I love Mamasource and am totally addicted to reading it before I start my day! I've learned lots of things by reading questions and the responses.

4. Try to hook up with a MOPs program or the Moms club another poster mentioned. I also took my kids to story time at the local public library and met moms and kids that way.

God bless!

A.

It's tough having a little one who is sick - I hope your baby is feeling better by now. I have never had any luck with washing pillows - however, I love my MOPS group. There are MOPS groups that meet around the world. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and the meetings have activities for Moms and activities for the little ones as well. My children loved MOPS. My oldest wanted to keep going after he started school. I could not let him know when I was going with my youngest. Even now when we pass the church where the meetings were held he asks when we are going back to MOPS.

Sorry your daughter has the flu. I know how hard that is (for you as well as her). I've washed pillows with success. I use the hypoallergenic pillow covers (Target) and then a pillow case on top. So usually I just have to wash the 2 covers.

Also, about finding a mommy group...try Parent Connection. Their website is www.sandiegoparent.com. I joined when my daughter was 3 months and love the mommy friends I made. I don't know how I would have gotten through that 1st year without them. My daughter is now 6 1/2 and we still get together with playgroup friends regularly.

you can also toss a tennis ball in the dryer, works well with comforters too, beats out the lumps while it dries.

I haven't had much luck with washing pillows, so I bought some water proof pillow covers. Then when they throw up or spill something on the pillows, all you have to do is change and wash the cover, not the whole pillow.
The pillow covers go under the pillow case. They are also good for kids with allergies.

I also use waterproof mattress covers for the same reasons, even though mine don't wet the bed anymore. You don't have to buy the crinkly vinyl kind, they have softer, synthetic ones.

about your daughters dirty bed pillow, I know with it being gross your not going to want to look for a tag but that is the best way to find out how to wash it.

after washing it make sure to read the tag again to find out how to dry it.

I am also a stay at home mom I have 3 kids and a job on the weekends i've been trying to meet someone in my area to talk to but I didn't know where to look. if you want to chat my email is ____@____.com

I agree with the mom who mentioned the pillow protectors. They are a godsend! I had gone through many pillows before trying these and wouldn't use a pillow now without them! Easy to clean and help with allergies too!
Good luck and hang in there! It is always hard when you have a sick kiddo! Rest when you can!
K.

I agree with everyone else....just toss it and get a new one. I have tried washing them over the years and it never comes out the same and the kids don't really like them either.

I would just buy a new one, Walmart has them for like 4 dollars or so

If you find a church in your area they often have MOMs groups too. Take care,
K.

The advice below is good. The pillow will never look the same once washed. That is due to the cheap made in China junk they use for the stuffing nowadays, and it SHRINKS when washed. Thus, it bunches up and looks lumpy. It also tends to clump together when dried.

Best option is to fork over the $4 or so and buy another one at Wallyworld or your favorite discount store.

You can machine wash the pillow. Dry in dryer with a clean tennis shoe to get it less lumpy but it will probably not be the same. I'd replace it, but the washed O. will do until you can get a new O.!

The pillow covers are great for protecting your pillows. My daughter tends to get a lot of nose bleeds and I had to throw away a couple of pillows before I got wise and found the protective covers. Much easier to deal with, and you can put on the new cover and put your child back to bed with their pillow, rather than waiting for it to be washed and dried.