how to clean memory foam pillow

July 13, 2018

How To Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow Like A Pro

How To Clean A Foam Pillow

We spend hours every day with our faces pressed up against our pillows, so it's important to know how to keep them clean! If you haven't switched to memory foam pillows yet, here's a statistic that will have you reaching for the hand sanitizer...up to a third of the weight of a traditional pillow could be made up of dead skin, dust mites, and dust mite feces. Gross! If you've already converted to memory foam, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Literally. Dust mites — which can cause sneezing and coughing — thrive in traditional mattresses and pillows. But while these tiny arachnid-looking creatures can live on the surface of memory foam, they can't burrow into the stuffing. So if you don't have a memory foam mattress yet — consider making the switch! Even if you've already invested in memory foam, it's still important to keep it clean. As our pillow spends a lot of time next to our face, it can become a refuge for the nasty bacteria that we come into contact with throughout the day.

How To Clean A Memory Foam Pillow

vacuuming a pillow You should vacuum your memory foam pillow every time you change your bed sheets, which ideally is once a week. Consider spot cleaning your pillow once a month to remove sweat residue, and deep cleaning it every two months. Before you start, familiarize yourself with the rules of cleaning memory foam!

Memory foam never goes in the washer or dryer, so always clean by hand.
Don't scrub the pillow too hard or treat it too roughly; memory foam is delicate.
Always use gentle cleaning agents; stay away from anything too harsh.

Here are five ways to keep your pillow area spotless!

Practice Good Pillow Hygiene

white pillow on white bed Before we get into the nitty gritty of cleaning your pillow, we have to ask — do you practice good pillow hygiene? Dirt, grease, pollutants and other bacteria can build up on your pillowcase quicker than you might think. If you're prone to breakouts, try switching your pillowcases daily or every two days to see if you notice a difference. If you can't stand the thought of changing your pillowcase every day, experts recommend changing your pillowcase once a week at the very minimum.

How To Clean A Spill

wine spill Did your cup of chamomile tea end up all over your pillow? Most liquid stains can be easily removed with the following method. But for tougher stains — like blood or wine, skip down to the spot cleaning method.

1. Remove pillow case.
2. Use a towel to absorb any excess liquid.
3. Mix a mild dish detergent with water until it reaches a bubbly consistency, then dip the sponge in the soapy solution. Gently rub the spill with a circular motion until clean.
4. Allow your pillow to air dry, or speed up drying with a hair dryer.

How To Deodorize A Memory Foam Pillow

baking soda Is your memory foam pillow brand new? It might smell funny due to off-gassing. Off-gassing is common in memory foam products, and it's the result of a harmless gas build up during the packaging process. If the smell bothers you, let your memory foam pillow air off outdoors or near an open window! If your pillow is sporting strange smells for another reason, here's how to eradicate a weird odor from your pillow!

Take off the pillowcase and lie your pillow on a flat surface.
Sprinkle baking soda over memory foam pillow and leave in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours
Use an upholstery attachment and vacuum pillow thoroughly. Upholstery attachments can remove hairs and other almost-invisible detritus that can cling to your pillow.

How To Spot Clean A Memory Foam Pillow

how to clean a memory foam pillow Mild stains can removed with detergent and a sponge, as described in 'How To Clean A Spill.' But if you have a more difficult stain to remove, like wine or blood, try the following method:

Remove all of the covers.
[For blood and wine] Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, blot with a clean cloth until the peroxide has stopped bubbling. Spray with cold water and gently rub until clean with an old toothbrush.[For pet urine] Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide, one tsp of white vinegar and two tbsp of baking soda and apply to affected area. Leave overnight and repeat if necessary, especially if an odor persists. Blot clean with cold water.
Allow memory foam pillow to air dry.

How To Wash A Memory Foam Pillow

Do you need to deep clean your memory foam pillow? You can't put a memory foam pillow in the washing machine, but it's still possible to wash it!

Fill up a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of gentle detergent. You can also add a drop of lavender oil if you enjoy the scent!
Slowly submerge your pillow under the soapy water. Squeeze it to allow the soapy water to penetrate beneath the surface. Repeat twice.
Drain soapy water and refill with clean water. Squeeze pillow several times, allowing the clean water to wash away any remaining dirt or soap until the water runs clear.
Gently squeeze your pillow to remove excess water, but don't twist or rigorously squeeze the foam.
Leave to air dry, preferably in direct sunlight or outdoors. If neither are available, leave your memory foam pillow under a ceiling fan.
Sprinkle with a drop of lavender oil if desired!

How Often Should I Clean My Memory Foam Pillow?

We've covered you how often you should change a pillowcase. But how often do you need to clean the pillow itself? If you or a loved one has recently been sick, it's a good idea to deep clean your memory foam pillows. Otherwise, it's advisable to wash your pillows every two months. When you change your bed sheets why not sprinkle some baking soda on your memory foam pillow and leave it in the sun for a few hours while everything else makes the rounds through the washing machine? Frequent vacuuming can suck up nasty dust mites living on the surface. Sunlight and baking soda can revive your pillow, absorb smells and leave it feeling fresh!

How Often Should I Replace My Memory Foam Pillow?

A standard, inexpensive polyester pillow should be replaced every six months. A memory foam pillow lasts far longer, but you might be surprised to discover that you should still replace your memory foam pillows every 18-36 months. Over time, the filling will begin to breakdown — even if we look after them! More than ever, we're putting additional stress on our necks, thanks to computers and smartphones. Take care of your pillows, and take care of your neck! Sleep experts recommend using a firmer pillow on Thursdays and Fridays, when we're in need of some structured sleep after a week at the office! Now you've cleaned your pillows, learn how to clean a memory foam mattress next!

Edited: 09/14/2019