How To Clean Memory Foam Pillow

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Cleaning memory foam pillows is one of the most important things to do when our goal is to achieve a nicer, more sophisticated look for our home.

We spend most of our time glued to our pillows and forget they are super susceptible to dirt and dust. Even the skin cells we shed are present on our pillows and mattresses…..gross! This is why we need to make it a point to get rid of all the bacteria and stinky smells.

Sure, cleaning pillows might seem like a tough job, even I struggled at first. But after a long run of trials and errors, I have finally gathered up some tips and tricks to make this process a lot more easier and convenient for you.

So grab a pair of gloves, and let’s start cleaning our memory foam pillows! 

How to Clean Memory Foam Pillows

Use a Cover 

Here’s a spine-chilling fact for you—up to one-third of your pillow’s weight consists of none other than…BACTERIA AND DEAD CELLS! Dust mites sometimes find a way into the material of your pillow which makes it extremely hard to clean…not to mention, disgusting.

But memory foam pillows and mattresses are hypoallergenic and keep away dust mites and bacteria. This is great news but you should still use a cover to keep your pillow safe, soft, and as clean as possible.

Wash your covers once a week. 

Vacuum with Baking Soda

Sprinkle some baking soda on your pillow and let it stay there for about half an hour. Then vacuum over it.

This would leave your pillow smelling so fresh that you wouldn’t want to get out of bed. You should also vacuum your pillow every time you change your sheets. This will suck away a lot of dirt making the actual cleaning process a lot easier. 

Always Handwash Your Pillows

To start cleaning, take the pillow cover off and wash it by hand. This will make the top layer of your pillow a lot shinier and cleaner. Putting your memory foam pillow in the washing machine or having your dry cleaners have a go at it will only lessen its life…and also affect your pockets. 

Use a Gentle Detergent and Warm Water for Spot Cleaning

• In a bowl, mix gentle detergent like the one you use to wash silk and new woolens with warm water.
• Use a clean light-colored cloth, preferably white, and dip it in the solution. Then gently rub this over and around the area that has stains. Keep doing so until the stain has completely vanished.
• Dip the other end of the cloth in water to wash the remaining soap off. 

How To Remove Stubborn Stains

What if you have to remove stubborn stains such as an oil spill or that Saturday evening wine that won’t come off easily?

• Then fill your bathtub, bucket, or even a large sink with warm water. Mix some mild dish-washing soap or gentle detergent into it.
• Submerge your pillow in the solution so that the soapy water can reach the foam and wash away the stains.
• Throw out the soapy water and fill up the tub or bucket with fresh water. Submerge your pillow in it again and squeeze it gently to clean it.
• Use a dry towel to squeeze the pillow and remove excess moisture.
• Allow it to air dry.

Caution: Never wring your memory foam pillow as this will damage it. Always squeeze it gently too.

Natural Air Over Artificial

Now what I mean by this is that you should always prefer letting your pillow air dry rather than using a hairdryer. This makes it more fluffy and squishy and honestly….who doesn’t enjoy that?

But if your parents are paying you a surprise visit in the evening and there is no time left for you to let your pillows fluff up, then you can always use the hairdryer to quicken the process. 

What is a Memory Foam Pillow?

Let’s get down to the basics now that we are done with the cleaning part.

NASA, yes the one with the astronauts, first developed memory foam in the 70s to help astronauts with the impact and jerk experienced during takeoffs. Don’t worry, they have many advanced technologies now to serve the same purpose.

Hence, memory foam has succumbed to being used in only pillows and mattresses. They are now used in pillows, cushions, and mattresses to provide you with extra comfort.

Their upper comfort layer is supported by a layer of poly-foam. What this means is that memory foam products are extra fluffy!

FAQs

How should I maintain a memory foam pillow?

Wash your pillow covers every week. A large amount of bacteria is formed in and over your pillow covers which can also lead to your pillows becoming stinky.

Vacuum clean your memory foam pillow at the same time. It is ideal to deep clean your pillow once every two months and uses the gentler spot-cleaning method every month. 

When should I replace my memory foam pillows? 

Normal polyester pillows need to be changed every year but surprisingly, memory foam ones can last from anywhere between 20-36 months.

One simple trick to check if you need to replace it is this—fold it horizontally i.e. place the two long ends together. If your pillow doesn’t flop back then I’m sorry but I have some bad news for you buddy. You have to let it go 🙁

What are the things to avoid while cleaning a memory foam pillow?

• Never send your pillow to the dry cleaners. This can cause serious damage and reduce its life. 
• Don’t wait too long to change your pillows as this leads to allergens building up and you also wouldn’t be as comfortable as you were before. 
• Do not use harsh detergent powder or soap to clean your memory foam pillow. 
• Avoid using extremely hot water.
• Only use your pillow after it completely dries up as the foam can become a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and mites if done so. 

How can I get rid of the chemical smell from my pillow?

Memory foam pillows usually come with a chemical smell due to off-gassing. Sprinkle baking soda over your pillow and leave it in the sunlight to bask for 2-3 hours. Then vacuum the baking soda residue away.

This off-gassing smell also naturally fades away after a few hours of opening your pillow so it isn’t something to worry about.

Are memory foam pillows better than normal pillows?

Memory foam pillows provide you with an extra level of comfort because of how they’re designed. I have personally always preferred them as they are easier to clean and also last longer. 

The guests will arrive anytime now…because when else would anyone want to clean pillows? You now certainly know almost everything out there about memory foam pillows so stop making excuses and start washing!