Hi, I’m Sakume, a girl who absolutely can’t live without her anime body pillow.
A dakimakura (anime body pillow) isn’t just bedding. It began in Japan and has since become a beloved comfort item worldwide – tens of thousands of people search for them every month. For many anime and game fans, a dakimakura is a cosy companion and a piece of emotional support.
If you’ve just picked up your dream hentai dakimakura from Sakume UK (dakimakuras.co.uk), taking care of it properly is just as important as choosing the right character. We ship across the UK with EVRi, Royal Mail and China Post, and most orders arrive in about 4–12 days (around 5 days for the majority). Every parcel is sent in discreet packaging – no product images or suggestive hints on the box – and you can pay securely via PayPal, Credit Card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Now let’s go through how to wash and dry your dakimakura so it stays soft, bright and huggable for years.
1. Know Your Dakimakura Fabrics
Before washing, always check what fabric your cover is made from. Different materials react differently to heat, friction and detergents.
2WAY & NEW 2WAY
Top‑tier materials in the dakimakura world: cool to the touch, extremely elastic and with razor‑sharp printing. Also very delicate – no high heat and no harsh friction.Peach Skin
A fine, short fuzz on the surface, similar to peach skin. Fairly durable, but over‑washing will gradually affect its smooth, soft feel.Plush / Velvet
Extremely warm and cosy with a thick, fluffy pile. It traps dust and dirt more easily, so after washing you need to pay attention to fluffing it back up.
2. Pre‑Wash Prep: Small Details That Protect an Expensive Pillow
Never just throw your dakimakura into the washing machine and hope for the best. One extra minute of preparation can prevent irreversible damage.
Shake out dust and hair
Gently pat or shake the cover to remove surface dust, hair and lint.Stick to 30°C or below
For most covers, 30°C (86°F) is the maximum recommended temperature.Zip it up fully
This step is often forgotten.
Always close the zipper completely before washing. An open zip can catch on fabric, tear fibres or damage the slider during the spin cycle.Turn the cover inside out
Flip the cover so the printed side faces inward.
This significantly reduces friction on the print and helps prevent pilling and fading.Pre‑treat visible stains
For sweat marks or oily spots, dab the area with lukewarm water and a mild, neutral detergent. Gently rub with your fingers – no brushes, no aggressive scrubbing.
3. How to Wash Your Dakimakura Properly
Method 1: Machine Wash (Most Convenient)
Program selection
Use a “Delicate”, “Hand Wash” or “Lingerie” cycle.Water temperature
Never use hot water.
Keep it at 30°C or below. High temperatures destroy fibre elasticity and can severely damage 2WAY / NEW 2WAY, which are premium, sensitive fabrics.Detergent
Use a mild, neutral detergent.
Absolutely no bleach – it will permanently ruin the colours.Extra protection – washing kit
I highly recommend using Sakume’s Pillow Washing Kit:
put the cover into the fine‑mesh laundry bag from the kit, and wash it in there. This adds an extra layer of protection against friction and zipper damage.
Method 2: Hand Wash (Safest)
If you’re worried that your machine is too rough, hand washing is the safest option.
- Fill a bathtub or large basin with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent.
- Soak the cover for 15–30 minutes.
- Gently press and squeeze the fabric – avoid wringing or twisting like a towel.
Pro tip:
During the final rinse, add a small spoonful of white vinegar. It helps neutralise leftover alkaline detergent, keeps the fabric softer after drying, and helps remove odours.
4. Smart Drying: No High Heat, No Harsh Sun
The biggest enemies of a dakimakura are high heat and strong UV light.
Avoid high‑heat tumble drying
High temperatures can make polyester fibres brittle and rough. That smooth, silky feel becomes dry and scratchy.Remove excess water gently
Don’t twist the cover like a towel.
Instead, roll it inside several clean, dry bath towels and press gently so the towels absorb the moisture.Lay flat or use a spiral hanger
Ideally, use a flat drying net or Sakume’s spiral hanger.
Avoid hanging a heavy, wet cover straight down from one point – gravity can stretch the fabric and deform the shape.Keep it out of direct sunlight
UV is the silent killer of printed designs.
Dry your cover in the shade, in a well‑ventilated place. Bright, indirect light is fine; direct midday sun is not.No hot dryer or iron
Unless your dryer has a true “cool air only” mode, keep your dakimakura away from heat sources. Never iron over the printed area.
5. Daily Care Tips
Trim your nails
2WAY and NEW 2WAY fabrics are extremely fine. Sharp nails or hangnails can easily snag the surface.Keep pets at a distance
We all love cats and dogs, but their claws are deadly for delicate covers. Try not to leave your dakimakura where pets can climb or scratch it.Always dry completely before storing
Make sure the cover is 100% dry before you put it away. Even slight moisture in an enclosed space can cause mould and bad smells.How often to wash
As a rule of thumb: every 1–2 months.
If you use your dakimakura daily, consider having 2–3 covers and rotating them.Fold and store properly
If you won’t use a cover for a while, fold it neatly and keep it in a dry drawer or storage bag.
Avoid placing heavy objects on top to prevent deep creases.
6. Discover More Beautiful Dakimakuras at Sakume UK
At Sakume UK (dakimakuras.co.uk), we offer thousands of high‑quality anime body pillows and covers from popular anime and games – from Genshin Impact Dakimakura, Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) and Wuthering Waves to many more. We use high‑end printing so every hug feels smooth and every colour stays vivid.
A dakimakura is more than a home accessory – it’s a piece of emotional comfort and a quiet companion at the end of the day. With the right care, whether it’s ultra‑delicate 2WAY / NEW 2WAY or soft Peach Skin, your pillow will stay bright and last for years.
Take good care of your current dakimakura – and if there’s still some space on your bed, it might be time to visit Sakume UK again and invite a new character into your room, with fast delivery, discreet packaging and easy payment via PayPal, card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
