Zipped pillow protectors that actually stay put

A pillow protector is the washable barrier that goes on the bare pillow, under the pillowcase. It takes the sweat, skin oils and dust mites that would otherwise soak into the pillow itself — which is what turns a pillow yellow and shortens its life. Ours are quilted microfibre with a full-length zip, so they stay on rather than riding off in the night the way envelope-style covers do.

Standard UK size, 50 x 75cm, fitting all standard 74 x 48cm pillows. Machine washable at 60°C, which is the temperature that kills dust mites.

Zip or envelope closure?

Envelope protectors are cheaper and they work, up to a point — the open end gradually works loose and the protector shifts inside the pillowcase. A zip closes the pillow in completely, which matters for two reasons: nothing gets in past the barrier, and the protector stays exactly where you put it. If you are buying a protector for allergy reasons rather than general cleanliness, the zip is the whole point.

Why bother with a protector at all?

• It doubles the life of the pillow. A protector washes at 60°C every month. A pillow can only be washed every three to six months, and each wash takes something out of it.
• It stops the yellowing. That staining is sweat and body oils soaking through the pillowcase. A protector catches them first.
• It is the most effective allergy step you can take. Tightly woven microfibre blocks dust mites and their waste far better than changing your pillow filling does.
• It adds a thin cushioned layer. Most people find the quilting makes the pillow feel slightly softer without changing its support.

How the layers work

Bare pillow, then protector, then pillowcase. Wash the pillowcase weekly, the protector monthly, and the pillow itself two or three times a year. Full detail is in our pillowcase sizes guide, and how to wash pillows covers the pillow itself.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a pillow protector and a pillowcase?

The protector is a washable barrier layer worn directly on the pillow, under the case. The pillowcase is the decorative outer cover you actually sleep against. The protector is not a substitute for a pillowcase — you use both.

Will a zipped protector fit my pillows?

Yes, if they are standard UK size. Our protectors are 50 x 75cm, cut slightly larger than the 74 x 48cm pillow so the filling is not compressed. They fit any standard UK pillow, not just ours.

How often should I wash a pillow protector?

Monthly, at 60°C. That is the temperature needed to kill dust mites — a 40°C wash cleans the fabric but leaves the mites alive. The pillowcase over the top should be washed weekly.

Do pillow protectors make the pillow feel different?

Slightly softer, because of the quilting, but the support underneath is unchanged. If you are worried about a protector making a firm pillow feel soft, it will not.

Can a protector rescue a flat pillow?

No. It prevents future flattening by keeping moisture out of the filling, but it cannot restore loft that has already gone. If your pillow fails the fold test — fold it in half, and it stays folded — replace it rather than covering it.

Are they suitable for allergy sufferers?

Yes, and this is the main reason to buy one. The quilted microfibre weave is tight enough to block dust mites and their waste, which is the actual trigger for most people who think they are allergic to their pillow. Pair one with a hypoallergenic hollow fibre pillow for the most effective combination.

Looking for the pillows themselves? Browse our full pillow range, our hotel quality pillows, or the natural-fill duck feather pillows.