Memory foam pillows are well loved by a lot of users because of their softness, shape conforming abilities and the level of support that they can provide. But if there is one thing that users hate about using memory foam, it is the fact that it is hard to maintain.
Should you place the pillow in the washing machine? Can you tumble dry it? Or should it be hand washed? What are the other things that you should think about when cleaning your memory foam pillow? These are some of the questions that we will address in this article.
If you have found the best memory foam pillow, you surely would want to make sure that it will last for long. The only way to do that is to make sure that you properly maintain and wash your pillow. If you want to know how to clean memory foam pillow, continue reading!
The Five Different Ways on How to Clean Memory Foam Pillow
There is not one way to clean memory foam. In this article, we will share with you the different ways on how to clean your memory foam pillow. The technique you will choose should depend on the current condition or issue of your pillow.
Technique #1: Removing Spills
If you have spilled liquid on your pillows, you need to wash it right away to prevent it from getting stained. With that in mind, here are the steps and items that you need:
What You Will Need:
- Towel
- Basin with Cold Water
- Mild Detergent
- Dry Towel
- Alcohol-free dish soap
Step 1.1: Remove the pillowcase.
Remove the case of the pillow and read the wash instructions stated on its label. Wash the pillow following its care instructions. If no care instructions are provided, try wetting the pillow a bit with cold water. Do this step as soon as possible to prevent the pillow from staining.
Pro Tip: To avoid spill problems in the future, it is recommended that you use a liquid-proof pillowcase. After all, prevention is always better than cure.
Step 1.2: Soak up the liquid.
Moist the towel with a mixture of water and mild detergent. Afterward, dab the moist towel to the affected area to soak up excess liquid. If you have removed the liquid, but a stain has been left behind, you can squirt two drops of alcohol-free dish soap to the towel and continue dabbing the portion that has been spilled on.
Pro Tip: Never use hot water for this purpose as the heat will cause the stain to set, making it even harder to get rid of.
The towel should only be moist—not dripping wet—as too much water can damage the memory foam.
Step 1.3: Blot and dry the pillow.
Once you are able to clean up the spill and remove the stain, use a dry towel to blot the pillow. Wring out the towel once it is already too wet but avoid wringing the pillow as the filling might get damaged.
When you are able to remove enough dampness from the pillow, let it air dry before putting on its pillowcase.
Pro Tip: You can use a blow dryer (in low temperature setting) to facilitate the drying process.
Technique #2: Getting Rid of Stains
If unfortunately, you found some stains in your pillow, you need to wash it right away. The earlier you fix the stain, the easier it would be for you to remove it.
What You Will Need:
- Mild Detergent
- Enzymatic Cleaner
- White Vinegar
- Damp Cloth
Step 2.1: Dab the pillow with a mixture of water and mild detergent.
If the stain has already set, the only thing that you can do is to blot and dab the stain with cold water and mild soap.
Pro Tip: Use only as little water as possible to avoid damaging the filling of the pillow.
Step 2.2: Spray enzymatic cleaner over the stain.
If the stain remains, your next step is to spray enzymatic cleaner on the stained portion of your pillow. Once again, you should avoid wetting the pillow too much so spray the cleaner few inches away from the pillow.
Let the cleaner sit on the pillow for five minutes.
Step 2.3: If you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner, use a white vinegar solution instead.
If you have no enzymatic cleaner on hand, create your own vinegar solution. You can do this by mixing one part of white vinegar with one part of cold water. Place the resulting solution in a spray bottle.
Lightly spray the pillow with the vinegar solution and let it stand for about five minutes.
Pro Tip: To cancel out the unwanted smell of vinegar, add a teaspoon of lemon juice into the spray bottle and shake it well.
Step 2.4: Use a damp cloth to blot the area.
Slightly moist a towel with cold water and dab it into the pillow and slowly work out the stain. If the stain remains, you can spray it again with either the enzymatic cleaner or the vinegar solution, let it sit and dab it with a moist towel. Continue doing this until you have removed the stain.
Pro Tips: No matter how stubborn the stain is, refrain from scrubbing the pillow or soaking it in water. You should also avoid using the harsher cleaner as it can easily damage the pillow.
Step 2.5: Dry the pillow.
Air dry the pillow for 12 to 24 hours. Once again, you can also use a blow dryer set on the lowest temperature.
Pro Tip: Avoid putting its pillowcase while it is still wet as doing so can lead to mold growth.
Technique #3: Removing Unwanted Odors
If the pillow has no stain but already smells bad, then you need to clean it. You can do that by taking the following steps.
What You Will Need:
- Fabric Freshener
- Baking Soda or Borax
- Handheld Vacuum
Step 3.1: Slightly mist the pillow using fabric freshener.
The easiest and fastest way to neutralize unwanted odors is to make use of a fabric freshener. But keep in mind that you should only slightly mist it—not wet it. To do this, place the freshener a few inches away from the pillow and spray it once in a specific part of the pillow. Spray the different parts of the pillow only once.
Step 3.2: Sprinkle baking soda over the pillow.
Generously sprinkle baking soda on both sides of the pillow. Allow the powder to sit on the pillow for 15 minutes if you are just dealing with basic odors. If the smell is too strong, let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you do not have baking soda on hand, you can use borax instead.
Step 3.3: Vacuum the baking soda.
Using a handheld vacuum cleaner, remove the baking soda after letting it sit. This simple step can also get rid of unwanted dust and dirt that have accumulated on your pillow.
Pro Tip: If you do not have a handheld vacuum cleaner, you can also use a floor vacuum by putting the hose attachment on it.
Step 3.4: Leave the pillow under the sun.
The sunlight can get rid of the bacteria and remaining odors from the pillow.
Technique #4: Dealing with Stubborn Stains
If you are dealing with stubborn stains like blood or wine but do not wish to wash the entire pillow, you can easily spot clean it through the following steps:
What You Will Need:
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
- Clean Cloth
- Old Toothbrush
- Cold Water
Step 4.1: Remove the pillowcase.
Wash the pillow case separately.
Step 4.2: Apply hydrogen peroxide.
Add a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. The peroxide will bubble. When it does, dab it with a clean cloth until it stops bubbling.
Step 4.3: Lightly brush the pillow.
After dabbing the pillow, lightly spray it with cold water. Afterward, use an old toothbrush to brush it gently.
Step 4.4: Air dry the pillow.
Expose one side of the pillow to air for 12 hours. Afterward, flip it over to dry the other side for 12 more hours. Make sure that the pillow is already properly dried before putting on a pillowcase.
Technique #5: Removing Pet Urine
Pet urine is the worst thing that you will have to deal with because you need to address both the stain and its foul smell. Lucky for you, you can quickly get rid of it through the following steps:
What You Will Need:
- White Vinegar
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Baking Soda
- Cold Water
Step 5.1: Remove the pillowcase.
If you wish to achieve the best results, it would be best if you will wash the pillow and the pillow cover separately.
Step 5.2: Mix vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda, one cup of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Apply the resulting mixture directly to the stain. Let it stay overnight.
If you wake up the next morning and the stain and odor are still there, do the entire process all over again.
Step 5.3: Blot the area with a moist towel.
Slightly wet a clean towel with cold water. If you wake up to a stain-free pillow the next morning, proceed on blotting the area with the moist towel until you have removed the solution.
Step 5.4: Dry the pillow.
Air dry the pillow for a day, flipping it halfway to ensure that both of its sides are already thoroughly dried.
To know if you can place the pillow in a washer, watch this video:
How Often Should You Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow?
Of course, you shouldn’t only clean your memory pillow when it gets stained, wet or peed on. It is crucial that you regularly maintain its cleanliness so you can prolong its life and functionality.
Changing your pillowcase at least once a week is recommended. But when should you wash your pillows? According to experts, you need to deep clean your pillow every two months to maintain proper hygiene. But if you have time to spare, you can vacuum and deodorize it at least once a week.
In the event that one of your family members have fallen ill, you should clean the pillow right away to prevent the virus or bacteria from spreading.
When to Replace Your Memory Foam Pillow
But no matter how much you take care of your pillow, there will come a time that you have to replace it due to normal wear and tear. When is this? One great thing about this type of pillow is that they are much more durable and will definitely last longer than polyester pillows.
While polyester pillows have to be replaced every six months, memory foam pillows are advised to be replaced every eighteen to thirty-six months, depending on its condition.
Some of the signs that it’s time to replace your memory foam pillow are sagging, lumps and bumps, permanent stains, needs to be constantly re-fluffed, and undone seams. If you are already waking up with aches and pains and usually dealing with headaches in the morning, these are also some good indications that you need a new memory foam pillow.
Aside from old age, there are also other reasons why you should replace your memory foam pillow. If you decide to switch to another sleeping position, you may need a pillow that is thinner or thicker and bigger or smaller, so you also need to keep that into consideration.
In Summary
Memory foam pillows provide fantastic support and keep our spine in proper alignment. However, this pillow material is also well known for its high price. If you have decided to invest in it, it is a must that you figure out how to clean memory foam pillow properly so you can make the most out of your investment.
Leave a Reply