How To Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow: An In-depth Guide

Pillows are crucial for good sleep and comfort.

They’re there when we’re relaxing, dreaming, or need something to cuddle in the middle of the night.

And, the average person spends a whopping 26 years of their life — that’s a lot of pillow time.

But how often do you wash your pillow?

Keeping your pillows clean has numerous health benefits, especially since we spend so much time using them. In this blog, we’re explaining how to wash a memory foam pillow and the advantages that come with it.

Upgrade your sleep hygiene in minutes.

Scroll down to get expert advice now.

What Are Memory Foam Pillows Made From?

Memory foam pillows are made from polyurethane foam, a type of plastic. This material is combined with different chemicals to give it elastic properties, and these are essential for the pillow’s ability to contour to your body and snap back into shape when not in use.

The many benefits of memory foam pillows directly result from the pillow’s unique construction, and these features aren’t found in traditional pillow options.

Can You Put a Memory Foam Pillow in the Washing Machine?

You can’t put memory foam pillows in the washing machine, as rough machine washing might cause the material to break apart.

Washing machine spin cycles can also destroy polyurethane foam's elastic and viscous properties, so it’s best to keep your pillow away from the washer if you want to enjoy its signature properties.

Sorry to anyone in a rush!

But don’t worry, the hand washing method isn’t time-consuming, and you don’t need to wash memory foam as frequently as other pillows. More on this below.

How Often Do You Need To Clean Your Pillow?

You should aim to clean your memory foam pillow monthly. However, don’t stress if life gets in the way. Leaving it unwashed for an extra couple of weeks (or even a month) won't negatively impact it.

If someone is ill or the weather is hot, you should wash your pillow more frequently.

This is because more germs and sweat will accumulate on the material. In cases of illness, washing the pillow once you’ve overcome the sickness is always recommended.

Why Should You Regularly Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow?

Memory foam pillows should be cleaned regularly to avoid a build-up of pathogens and to increase the pillow’s lifespan.

That’s right — cleaning your pillow keeps it fresh, new, and functional. But always be on the lookout for bad pillow symptoms, as an old pillow can hamper your health.

Additionally, clean pillows have numerous health benefits. These include the following:

• Reduced acne
• Better hygiene
• Fewer allergies
• Lower chances of sickness

It might seem like a chore, but cleaning your memory foam pillow is always worth it.

How To Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow

The best way to clean memory foam pillows is by hand, but there are a couple of methods you can use depending on the state of your pillow.

For example, you can quickly refresh your pillow by dusting it and airing it in fresh air for a few hours. You can also spot clean stains with lukewarm water and laundry detergent.

You’ll need to completely submerge your pillow in water and detergent for a deep clean. This takes more time and should be completed every month or so.

Step-by-Step Guide on Cleaning Your Memory Foam Pillow

Ready to start cleaning your memory foam pillow?

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a fresh pillow in no time.

For a Quick Clean

1. Remove the pillowcase or protective cover. You can machine wash this layer.
2. Cover the pillow with baking soda. Leave the baking soda for around an hour, then vacuum off. Use the upholstery brush on your vacuum for this step. Baking soda removes pet hair and dust, leaving the pillow smelling clean. Remember to do both sides.
3. Mix gentle detergent and lukewarm water to spot clean stains. Use a clean cloth to gently cover stains with the detergent solution. Repeat until the stain is removed. When completed, dip the cloth in plain water and blot any remaining soap on the pillow. A light wool or silk detergent is best for this process.
4. Air dry the pillow. A hairdryer on cool can help to speed up the drying.

For a Deep Clean

1. Fill a bathtub or sink with warm lukewarm, and gentle detergent. Submerge the pillow and gently squeeze it to clean the foam. Harsh movements can damage the foam, and hot water may set stains, so avoid these common mistakes!
2. Rinse the pillow until the water runs clear. Don’t wring the pillow! Use gentle squeezing motions to remove the water.
3. Leave the pillow to air dry. Memory foam pillows dry best on a flat, ventilated surface. Note that pillows might take up to 24 hours to dry completely, depending on their thickness.

Memory Foam Pillow Post-Cleaning Tips

Memory foam pillows won’t stay clean forever. Don’t forget these handy post-cleaning tips.

How To Properly Dry a Memory Foam Pillow

When cleaning a memory foam pillow, drying is the most time-consuming step. Due to the pillow’s thickness and construction, it’s not fast-drying, and you can’t place it in a dryer either.

Luckily, there are a few ways to speed up the drying.

Firstly, you can wash your pillow on a warm or breezy day. This way, you can use the weather to speed up the drying process. Air drying also prevents mildew and mould.

Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer or hand-held fan to dry the fan. But you should always ensure the fan/hair dryer is on the “cool” setting. Extra heat can damage the memory foam and even cause it to break down.

Can You Put a Memory Foam Pillow in the Dryer?

No, you can’t put memory foam in the dryer.

Though tempting, keep your pillow away from washing machines and dryers. Spin cycles damage memory foam via rough movements, and high temperatures can cause the foam to break down.

Maintaining the Cleanliness of the Pillow

Once your pillow is clean, you’ll want to keep it that way!

The best way to maintain a fresh pillow is to keep it away from any pets and potential stains and to maintain a regular washing schedule.

If your pillow does get dirty, you can do a weekly refresh or spot clean to ensure it’s hygienic.

Final Words

Keeping your memory foam pillow clean and fresh is necessary to enjoy its benefits and increase its lifespan.

However, cleaning doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Hopefully, this article has answered all of your questions about caring for memory foam.

Bookmark this page so you can return and use the expert-approved memory foam cleaning guide! Your pillow will thank you.