Updated at: 22-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

One-third of our lives are spent in bed—and keeping our memory foam pillows clean can help us get a better night’s sleep and improve our overall health. Dust mites, perspiration, and dead skin cells accumulate in our pillows over time.

Memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and bacteria, unlike most pillows. Because it conforms to the shape of your head and neck and relieves pressure points, memory foam is an excellent cushion for all types of sleepers.

While hypoallergenic, memory foam can still hold on to dead skin cells and sweat even after being washed. Wash your memory foam pillow every 2 to 3 months to keep it smelling and looking its best. The quality of your memory foam cushion can be preserved while deodorizing, spot cleaning, and thorough cleaning it.

Deodorize a Memory Foam Pillow

Cleaning instructions are usually found on a care tag attached to a pillowcase or pillow cover, so remove them and follow them.

Guide: How to Wash Any Pillow | GhostBed®

Place the memory foam cushion on a flat surface and sprinkle baking soda over one side, making sure it is well covered. Allow it to sit in the sun for at least an hour. To get rid of the baking soda, use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to suction the pillow’s surface. You can do the same thing on the other side of the pillow.

Spot Cleaning

Remove both the pillowcase and the pillow’s protective cover to remove fresh stains. Blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. When removing stains, use light-colored clothing to avoid transferring any color to the pillow.

Keep your hands from rubbing the stain, as this will just make it worse by spreading the stain all over your pillow. When most of the stain has been gone, continue the method as described here.

For best results, use lukewarm water and mild detergent to eliminate any remaining moisture from the pillow before applying the stain remover. In order to get rid of the stain, you should avoid using hot water.

Wet your hands in the solution and wring out a clean white cloth. A circular motion should be used when you begin to remove the stain by gently rubbing it inward from the outer edges. Before continuing to rub in circular motions, switch to a fresh patch of cloth as the stain adheres to it.

Until the stain is gone, keep repeating this procedure. To get rid of extra moisture, wet a fresh cloth and wring it out in clean, lukewarm water. Remove any soap residue by dabbing the previously discolored area. Before using, let the pillow dry thoroughly in the sun or open air.

Deep Cleaning

Fill a bathtub or large sink with cold water and add a tiny amount of mild detergent to get rid of stubborn stains. Make sure to completely submerge the pillow in warm, soapy water before gently squeezing it to release any trapped soap suds and remove the stain. A memory foam cushion should never be wrung out because doing so can destroy the memory foam.

When all the stain has been gone, drain the tub or sink and refill it with fresh, cold water. When the water is clear, gently squeeze the pillow out of the solution. Squeeze the cushion gently to remove as much water as possible.

Remove any extra liquid from the pillow by placing it on a dry towel and rolling it up, squeezing gently. Do this a couple of times to get the best results.

Lay a dry towel on top of the damp one, then remove the cushion. The drying process may take up to 24 hours, but you may speed it up by blow drying the pillow with a hairdryer (on the cool setting).

What to Avoid When Washing a Memory Foam Pillow

However, while it’s simple to clean a memory foam pillow, there are a few things to avoid if you want to ensure that your pillow lasts as long as possible while still maintaining its performance. For those who aren’t familiar with memory foam, it is a delicate material that should be handled carefully.

  • To keep your memory foam from degrading, stay away from strong agents like bleach.
  • When washing a memory foam pillow, do not put it in the washing machine unless specifically instructed to do so. The memory foam is damaged by the washer’s spin cycle, which is too abrasive.
  • Memory foam pillows should not be put in the dryer unless specifically instructed to do so. Memory foam can be melted by the dryer’s heat.
  • Memory foam can be damaged by wringing the pillow.
  • To avoid setting the stain, do not use hot water.
  • It’s best to wait to use a memory foam cushion until it’s totally dried. If the cushion is utilized before it has dried entirely, the damp interior provides the perfect breeding environment for mold and mildew.

How to Clean Memory Foam Pillows - House Cleaning Central

Tips To Keep Your Memory Foam Pillow Clean

1. Understand your pillow’s material.

This sort of pillow should be cared for in a unique way because it is made of a different material than our regular pillows.

Solid memory foam is naturally resistant to the growth and spread of dust mites because of its dense structure. However, mites and other microbes might adhere to the pillow’s surface, despite the use of an antimicrobial treatment. When it comes to cleaning your memory foam cushion, start with the outer surface and work your way in.

Your pillow will no longer be an issue for you to deal with after obtaining a memory foam pillow with odour-controlling capabilities.

2. Do not put your memory foam pillows in the washing machine or dryer.

Washing and drying your memory foam cushion could cause it to disintegrate. To make matters worse, it will reduce the pillow’s lifespan by as much as a year or two.

3. Use a pillow cover.

Regularly changing your pillowcase could be a quick and easy solution to keep memory foam pillows fresh if you are sensitive to allergens or sleep on your side frequently.

The pillowcase protects the pillow from dust and dead skin cells by acting as a barrier. Most memory foam pillows feature a machine-washable cover that makes cleanup a breeze.

Alternatively, you may use a conventional pillowcase over your memory foam pillow to keep it clean and in harmony with the rest of your room’s decor.

How to Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow

Regular cleaning

Using baking soda in combination with a vacuum cleaner is the simplest approach to clean memory foam cushions.

To get the most out of baking soda’s ability to absorb odors, sprinkle it on your pillow and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Dust mites, skin cells, and other pathogens living on your pillow can be removed with an upholstery attachment or a handheld vacuum.

Spot cleaning

Spot clean your memory foam pillow if it has a few minor stains instead of cleaning the whole thing.

Clean your pillow with a damp towel and a little detergent, and you’re ready to go!

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to weaken stains like blood, wine, or pet pee, and a clean cloth can be used to remove them.

When sanitizing your memory foam cushion, use mild cleaning agents. Solid memory foam, despite its durability, is a fragile substance, thus it is best to use moderate or natural additives to protect its integrity.

Deep cleaning

Deep cleaning your solid memory foam cushion may be necessary in extreme circumstances. To avoid ruining the quality of your pillow, make sure to wash it, soak it in water, and then squeeze it dry. We don’t advocate using this method of cleaning. Solid memory foam pillows should be cleaned on a regular basis and spot cleaned if necessary.

Clean Pillow = Good Night’s Sleep

Having a clean pillow to sleep on is one of the best feelings in the world. The best way to ensure that your pillows are clean and fresh is to clean them regularly and/or spot clean them!

For both health and longevity reasons, you should clean your memory foam cushion regularly. Now you may enjoy a refreshing night’s sleep with a clean pillow!

What is Memory Foam?

NASA first created memory foam in the 1970s as a way to decrease the impact on astronauts during takeoff. Since then, memory foam has been increasingly popular in bedding products like pillows and mattresses. A memory foam mattress consists of a top layer of memory foam and a support layer of polyurethane, or poly-foam, which provides additional support. Solid pieces of memory foam can be found in memory foam pillows, while shredded pieces of memory foam can be found in memory foam pillows.

How To Wash Memory Foam Pillow? - Popular 2 Ways

Other Things to Consider

How long does a memory foam pillow last?

Pillows made of memory foam can last between one and three years. Replace your memory foam pillow if it doesn’t immediately return to its regular shape after you fold the two long pieces together. Memory foam pillows don’t always immediately return to their normal shape after being folded.

Can memory foam get wet?

Memory foam should only be submerged in water when it is being cleaned. Even so, it’s best to let the memory foam air dry completely before using it to avoid the spread of mold and mildew.

Can memory foam get infested by bed bugs?

Yes. Any pillow can be infested by bedbugs, regardless of the material. The only way to prevent a pillow against bedbugs is to use a protective cover.

Can memory foam pillows be washed in the washing machine?

Unless otherwise stated, memory foam should not be washed unless specifically instructed to do so. Putting memory foam in a washing machine will cause the material to get soggy and ruined. Spot cleaning your memory foam cushion is the best option if you must wash it.

How do you get the smell out of a memory foam pillow?

Known as “off-gassing,” memory foam has a distinct odor. A few days after unpacking your new pillow, it should fade, but if it doesn’t you may either place it in the sun or air it out with a fan. Try sprinkling it with baking soda to absorb the smell if that doesn’t help. If you leave baking soda out on the pillow for more than a few hours, you will need to vacuum it.

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Conclusion

When working with memory foam, care must be taken. Inadequate maintenance of memory foam can lead to rapid degeneration. Cleaning your memory foam pillow will keep it fresh, extend its longevity, and help you obtain a better night’s sleep.