Can You Wash A Memory Foam Pillow?

We spend a lot of time on our pillows and frequently fail to think about how clean they are. If you sleep on the same pillow every night, you might find yourself asking “Can you wash a memory foam pillow?”

You want your sleeping area to be clean and fresh all the time, particularly if you’ve been sick or are likely to sweat or drool during the night. 

In this article, we discuss how to wash a memory foam pillow and the steps necessary to keep your bedding in the best possible condition.

Can You Wash Memory Foam Pillows?

Memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to bacterial development and dust mites, but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to dirt. You should wash your memory foam pillows at least twice a year or after spills to keep your sleeping environment clean and safe. 

Memory foam pillows can’t be machine washed. The movement of a washing machine will break down and shatter the foam in your pillow.

Can Memory Foam Get Wet?

Memory foam won’t get damaged by water, though. 

In fact, if your pillow is made of solid memory foam, you can run or pour warm water combined with mild detergent over it until it’s clean. When cleaning the pillow, gently squeeze it to allow the detergent to penetrate the foam.

Don’t put memory foam in a drier or use heat from a hairdryer if you poured water over it. Keep the foam in a place with adequate air circulation or leave it outside on a warm day to dry.

Shredded memory foam, like solid memory foam, can get wet. Just make sure it’s completely dry before placing it back in your pillowcase to avoid mold or mildew growth.

How To Clean Memory Foam

Vacuum your memory foam pillow every time you change your bedsheets, which should be once a week at least. Consider deep cleaning your pillow every two months and spot cleaning it once a month to remove any sweat that’s built up while you’re asleep. 

Hand Washing

Because memory foam should never be washed or dried, it should always be cleaned by hand and should never be washed in a washing machine. The movement of a washing machine and dryer can rip the cushioning of your memory foam pillow apart. 

It will not only weaken the material but also shorten the pillow’s life expectancy.

Toughness

Memory foam pillows may feel hard at first when the foam is cold, but they are designed to adapt to the shape of your head and neck once your body heat softens up the foam. This is why you shouldn’t scrub the cushion too hard.

Listed below are three ways to clean your memory foam pillow:

Types of Cleaning for Your Pillow

Regular Cleaning

Because memory foam pillows only need to be surface cleaned, the simplest method is to use baking soda and a vacuum cleaner. 

To get rid of strong smells, sprinkle baking soda on your pillow and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Then go over the pillow gently with a handheld vacuum cleaner or one with an upholstery attachment.

Spot Cleaning

If your memory foam pillow has little spots, you can spot clean instead of washing the entire pillow. Simply apply a tiny amount of an enzyme-based cleaner or gentle detergent to the afflicted area to spot clean. 

Massage the stain gently outward from the center until it has faded or been eradicated. Tougher stains, such as blood, wine, or pet pee, may require hydrogen peroxide to soften the stain and a clean cloth to remove it.

When sanitizing your memory foam cushion, use gentle cleaning agents. Solid memory foam is a sensitive substance that will be kept longer by using moderate or natural additives. 

Once the stain has been removed, gently blot away any remaining liquid until it’s almost dry. Allow the pillow to dry completely before placing it back inside the cover or pillowcase to prevent mold or mildew formation.

Deep Cleaning

Although this procedure is rarely recommended, in extreme circumstances, you may need to deep clean your memory foam pillow. However, washing it, allowing it to absorb water, and squeezing the water out will damage the fibers. 

But sometimes spot cleaning isn’t enough, and you’ll need to use a little elbow grease to get out larger, more stubborn stains.

  1. Fill a large sink or bathtub with cold water. Add a tiny amount of gentle detergent to the water and mix it through. 
  2. Submerge the cushion entirely, gently squeezing the foam but not wringing.
  3. Empty and refill the tub or sink with cool, clean water once the stain is gone. Submerge the cushion and gently squeeze it until the water flows clear.
  4. Squeeze the pillow until the majority of the water has been gone. Roll the pillow on a dry towel, squeezing gently. Repeat 2-3 times.
  5. Take the pillow out of the wet towel and place it on a dry, clean towel. Allow the pillow to dry naturally. This procedure could take up to 24 hours.

Why You Need A Clean Pillow

Nothing beats the feeling of lying on your bed knowing you’re resting on a clean pillow. Make sure your pillows are clean and fresh by cleaning them the right way – with regular and spot cleaning.

Cleaning your memory foam cushion removes all bacteria while also extending its lifespan. You can now keep your pillow fresh while getting a nice night’s sleep.

If you’re looking for a new memory foam pillow we made a list of the best ones here.

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