How to Wash and Care for Your Anime Body Pillow (Dakimakura Care Guide)
How Often Should You Wash Your Dakimakura Cover?
A good rule of thumb: wash your dakimakura cover every 2 to 4 weeks with regular use. If you use it nightly, lean toward every 2 weeks. If it's more of a display piece, once a month or even every 6 weeks is fine.
Signs it's time for a wash:
- Visible oil or shine on the fabric (especially around the face and chest area)
- A faint smell that wasn't there before
- The fabric feels less smooth or slightly sticky
- You can see dust or hair clinging to the surface
Washing too frequently can wear down the print over time, but waiting too long lets body oils and sweat break down the fabric fibers. Find your rhythm and stick to it.
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Know Your Fabric: Peach Skin vs 2-Way Tricot (2WT)
Before you wash anything, check what your cover is made of. The two most common dakimakura fabrics require slightly different care.
Peach Skin
- Feel: Slightly textured, matte finish, similar to microfiber
- Durability: Good for everyday use; more affordable
- Print quality: Solid colors, slightly less vibrant than 2WT
- Wash tolerance: Handles gentle machine washing well
- Best for: Beginners and daily-use pillows
2-Way Tricot (2WT)
- Feel: Silky smooth, stretchy, slight sheen
- Durability: Premium fabric; holds up well with proper care
- Print quality: Sharper, more vibrant colors
- Wash tolerance: More delicate — hand wash preferred
- Best for: Collectors and display-quality covers
Our Love and Deepspace body pillows use high-quality printing on premium fabric to keep the artwork looking crisp wash after wash — but proper care still matters.
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How to Hand Wash Your Dakimakura Cover (Recommended)
Hand washing is the safest method for any dakimakura, especially 2WT covers. It takes a bit more effort but dramatically extends the life of the print.
What you need:
- A clean bathtub or large basin
- Cold or lukewarm water (never above 30C / 86F)
- Mild liquid detergent (no bleach, no fabric softener)
- A clean, dry towel
Steps:
1. Fill the basin with cold or lukewarm water. Add a small amount of mild detergent — about half of what you'd use for a normal load. Swirl to dissolve.
2. Turn the cover inside out. This protects the printed side from friction.
3. Submerge the cover and gently press it into the water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Gently agitate the fabric by pressing and squeezing — don't scrub, twist, or wring. Pay extra attention to areas that contact skin (neckline, midsection).
5. Drain and rinse with clean cold water. Repeat rinsing until no soap remains. Residual detergent can cause stiffness and attract dirt faster.
6. Press out excess water by laying the cover flat on a clean towel and rolling it up. Press down gently. Never wring or twist the fabric.
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How to Machine Wash Your Dakimakura Cover
Machine washing is acceptable for peach skin covers and well-made 2WT covers — but only if you follow these rules strictly.
Settings:
- Cycle: Delicate / Gentle
- Water temperature: Cold only
- Spin: Low or no spin
Steps:
1. Turn the cover inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. This is non-negotiable — it prevents the fabric from catching on the drum or other items.
2. Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Skip the fabric softener — it coats fibers and dulls prints over time.
3. Wash alone or with similar soft items (like other pillowcases). Never wash with jeans, towels, or anything with zippers or velcro.
4. Remove immediately when the cycle ends. Leaving it sitting wet in the drum can cause creasing and color transfer.
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How to Dry Your Dakimakura Cover
Never use a dryer. High heat shrinks fabric, warps elastic fibers in 2WT material, and can crack or fade the print. Even low heat is risky.
The correct way to dry:
1. Lay flat or hang in shade. Use a drying rack or hang over a shower rod — avoid direct sunlight, which fades prints.
2. Don't use clothespins on the printed area. If you must clip, clip at the seam edges only.
3. Keep the cover inside out while drying.
4. Allow full air-drying time. Depending on humidity, this takes 4 to 8 hours. Don't put it back on the pillow while even slightly damp — moisture trapped inside causes mildew and odor.
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Stain Removal Tips
Accidents happen. Here's how to handle common stains without damaging the print.
General rule: Treat stains as soon as possible. The longer a stain sets, the harder it is to remove without aggressive methods that risk the fabric.
- Food or drink spills: Blot (don't rub) with a damp cloth. Apply a tiny amount of mild detergent directly to the stain, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Oil or makeup: Dab with a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol (70%). Test on a hidden corner first. Blot gently — don't rub.
- Ink: Apply rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab directly on the mark. Blot outward from the center to avoid spreading.
- Yellowing over time: Soak in cold water with a small amount of oxygen-based bleach (like OxiClean) for 30 minutes. This is safe for most fabrics but test a hidden area first. Never use chlorine bleach.
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Storage Tips for Dakimakura Covers
If you're rotating covers — say, swapping between your Sylus and Rafayel body pillow covers — proper storage keeps the unused one in top condition.
- Wash before storing. Body oils left on fabric attract insects and cause yellowing.
- Fold loosely or roll gently. Avoid tight creases that can crack the print along fold lines.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place. A cloth bag or clean pillowcase works well. Avoid plastic bags — they trap moisture.
- Keep away from direct sunlight, even through a window. UV exposure fades prints over time.
- Add a silica gel packet if you live in a humid climate. This prevents mildew.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced collectors make these errors. Save yourself the heartbreak:
1. Using hot water. Heat is the number one killer of dakimakura prints. Always cold or lukewarm.
2. Bleach or harsh detergent. Stick to mild, fragrance-free liquid detergent.
3. Fabric softener. It feels counterintuitive, but softener coats fibers and dulls the artwork.
4. Wringing or twisting. This warps the print and stretches 2WT fabric permanently.
5. Machine drying. Even on low. Always air dry.
6. Washing printed-side out. Always turn inside out before washing.
7. Ignoring stains. The longer they sit, the more aggressive you'll need to be — which means more risk.
8. Storing dirty covers. Oils break down fabric and attract pests.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you wash a body pillow cover in the washing machine?
Yes, but only on the delicate cycle with cold water. Always turn it inside out, use a mesh laundry bag, and skip the dryer. Hand washing is safer, especially for 2WT fabric.
Q: How do I get wrinkles out of a dakimakura cover?
Hang it in a steamy bathroom for 20 to 30 minutes after a hot shower. If wrinkles persist, use a garment steamer on low heat at a distance. Never iron directly on the printed surface.
Q: Can I use a dryer sheet with my dakimakura?
No. Dryer sheets leave a chemical residue that dulls prints and coats the fabric. Skip the dryer entirely and air dry instead.
Q: My cover feels stiff after washing. What went wrong?
Usually caused by too much detergent or not rinsing thoroughly. Re-wash with no detergent, rinse twice, and press dry with a towel. Use less detergent next time.
Q: How long do dakimakura covers last with proper care?
A well-maintained cover can look great for 2 to 3 years of regular use. Display-only covers can last much longer. Quality of the original print matters too — our Love and Deep Space body pillow covers use durable printing methods designed for longevity.
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Keep Your Favorite Character Looking Their Best
Your dakimakura is more than just a pillow — it's a piece of fan art you get to hold. Whether you're cuddling with Caleb after a long day, displaying Zayne on your bed, or rotating between Xavier and Sylus depending on your mood, taking care of the cover means keeping that experience alive.
Browse our full Love and Deepspace body pillow collection to find your next favorite — and now you know exactly how to keep it looking perfect.