Cleaning A Sweaty Pillow
Your head naturally sweats at night, especially during the summer, whenyou can sweat litres overnight. Letting sweat soak into your pillow will lead to a sweaty scent as bacteria grow, which isnt what you want to smell before drifting off to sleep.
You can use the suns purifying power to get rid of pillow sweat, alongside some bicarbonate of soda.
Sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on one side of your memory foam pillow, then leave it to bake outside in the sun for a couple of hours. Next, use your vacuums upholstery attachment to remove the leftover powder.
Flip your pillow over, then repeat the steps on the other side for a wholly refreshed pillow. However, if your pillow has a big sweat build-up, you might need to deep clean it.
Pillows That Should Not Be Washed
There are some fillings that are special and cannot be washed. But dont worry in many cases, you can remove the filling and still wash the outer cover to keep it somewhat clean.
- Buckwheat hulls. Dont wash the buckwheat hulls in a buckwheat pillow instead, just wash the cover. If the hulls become damp or soggy, they wont work as a filling. You can put the hulls in a plastic bag while you wash and dry the cover. It will make a mess, but its worth it for a clean pillow.
- Kapok fibers. These eco-friendly fibers, which are the seed pod fluff from a rainforest tree, cannot be cleaned. Pillows with Kapok fibers are often spot-cleaned only or have removable covers that can be cleaned separately.
How To Clean Liquid Stains Off A Memory Foam Pillow
Spilling a drink on your pillow is more common than you think. Chamomile tea spills can be a common occurrence although liquids, like orange juice or grape juice, are much more difficult to remove.
- Remove the pillowcase and/or the protector. If the spill managed to go through those layers, throw both casings in the wash and set the pillow on a flat surface so you can work easily and quickly.
- Use a clean cloth or towel to absorb any excess liquid from the spill. Work quickly, as the longer the spill sets the harder it will be to clean.
- Mix a gentle detergent with lukewarm water until it reaches a bubbly consistency.
- Dip a sponge or damp cloth in the water, then rub the stain in a circular motion. Dont scrub roughly. Remember that memory foam, for all its support, is a delicate material. If you clean the pillow too vigorously, the material can shred.
- After the stain has been removed, lightly press a dry and clean towel to the wet surface to soak up any excess moisture.
- Air drying is recommended after you have completed Steps 1 through 5. Since memory foam is a dense material, it needs to be dried quickly or it runs the risk of mold and mildew. Placing the pillow in direct sunlight or outside will help the material to dry faster.
If you are unable to do either, placing it under a fan can speed up the drying process.
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How To Revive Memory Foam Pillow
There are several factors why your memory foam pillows become lumpy and saggy. This makes them uncomfortable to sleep on here are some of the reasons:
- Too much moisture
- Storing them on an uneven surface
- Foam can become saggy because of its age
Therefore, it would be best if you will start taking care of your memory foam pillow as soon as you bought them.
If ever you want to revive your old memory foam pillows, here is a step-by-step guide on how to fix them.
How Often Should You Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow
Memory foam pillows will live up to their life span if you clean them regularly. This means following a deep-cleaning regimen about 4 times each year.
In between those deep cleanings, leave your pillow in the sunshine to bake for a few hours each week. This sun exposure will help suppress any bacteria growing within the pillow and freshen it up.
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How To Wash Your Pillow
Consumer Reports’ experts say to fluff your pillow every day and wash it four times a year
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While youre probably in the habit of regularly washing your sheets and pillowcases, you might not pay as much attention to what lies beneath: your pillows and mattress. But both need a deep cleaning at least twice a year.
Over time, hair, dead skin cells, sweat, and drool build up on the pillow, says Neil Kao, MD, an allergist-immunologist in Greenville, S.C. And all that gunk is basically the stuff that dust mites love to munch on, which causes their population to multiply and increases your chances of having an allergic reaction to their presence.
If you watched CRs video on how to clean a mattress, we trust that youve added that to your rotation of household chores. Adding a pillow to your cleaning list should be a breeze by comparison.
You might also want to invest in a pillow protector to keep a lot of the gross stuff out and extend the life of your pillow.
Here, CR shows you how to keep your pillow fresh, clean, and ready for a good nights sleep. And if its time for a new pillow altogether, check out our pillow buying guide or head over to our pillow ratings to see which ones are up to fluff.
Issues That Might Arise While Fluffing
There are two common issues that consumers have when fluffing their memory foam pillows. Dryers and washers are the most common sources of these problems. When drying your memory foam pillow, you must first follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
To prevent losing your pad, do not use strong heat on these pillows. As a result, using down pillows and a medium heat setting is recommended. Otherwise, youll begin to smell like charred feathers, which is revolting.
Fluffing ones pillows is a chore that some individuals put off in favor of washing their pillows. Fluffing is distinct from cleaning in that it requires allowing the item to air dry naturally after cleaning.
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Fluff The Pillow In The Dryer
You can also use the dryer to fluff up your pillow. Pillows having bits within, such down, poly microfibres, shredded latex, shredded foam and Kapok fibers, are all good candidates for this method. Basically, the dryer is going to move your pillow about inside of it.
You should read the care instructions on the tag before putting it in the dryer. In most cases, you can use a mild cycle to tumble dry your cushion. Many brands allow this, while others say no. As a result, double-check it right away. You may speed up the drying process by tossing a couple of tennis balls into a pair of tube socks with your pillow and letting them bounce around in the dryer.
Breaking up the clubs will allow for increased air flow, which will speed up the drying process of your pillow. The final, and perhaps less well-known, method of fluffing your pillow is to put it outside. So I regularly recommend it. Particularly if it has foam parts that are tightly twisted, a compressed or rolled-up pillow may be the best option. Because of this, when you open up the packing, you receive the foams expansion, and youll often get a new foam, new cushion, and smell when you open it.
How Do You Keep A Memory Foam Mattress From Getting Moldy
When your memory foam mattress is not being used, it is important to keep the room as dry as possible. A dehumidifier can be helpful in this effort, but you also need to make sure the room does not become too damp.Moisture can cause mold to grow, so it is important to keep the humidity level low. Aerating the mattress on a regular basis can also help to reduce moisture levels.
If you do not want to use a dehumidifier, you can try to sweat the moisture out of the room by exercising or running in the room. You can also place a mattress protector on the mattress to help keep it from becoming wet. It is important to vacuum and rotate the mattress on a regular basis to avoid it from becoming moldy.
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Fluff The Pillow Outside
Pillows should be placed outside to allow them to naturally fluff if you have allergies or find it overwhelming. Youve got a lot of fresh air coming in from the outside. Your pillow will thank you for the air and a little bit of sunshine. Much to be desired. Shredded foam pillows, down pillows, and down-alternatives can all benefit from this method. A more natural airflow will help everyone, regardless of their age or gender. What are the benefits of fluffing your pillow? The quality of your pillow can have a significant impact on how well you sleep.
How you feel when you first wake up has a lot to do with how well youve positioned your head, neck, and even your spine. Its all going to come together for you in the morning if you have the appropriate pillow at the right loft and hardness. Dirty and flat pillows are old and flat. With its performance in mind, you might have some sleep troubles if its not fluffed up and in the right posture.
Fluffing it is, of course, a necessity. Its also crucial to spruce it up a bit. If you recently received the items and they were compressed, you may need to fluff the down. Thats also crucial.
People also assume that I should fluff my pillow. Because of this, Ill need to wash and dry the clothing item.
How To Dry Memory Foam Pillows
Once the whole way to wash memory foam pillow is done, you need to complete it by properly drying it out. Remember, if your pillows are not adequately dried out, it will lead to the formation of mold and mildew. Dry it out by placing it in a well-ventilated place under the sun. Dont place it in a dryer as the extreme heat will lead to deterioration. Instead, place it before a portable fan.
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Do I Need To Wash Memory Foam At All
Solid memory foam is anti-allergenic and does not generally require washing. However, the pillow covers need washing as they can accumulate dead skin cells and even dust mites after a time. Your outer pillow cases should generally be washed every one to two weeks, and the inner pillow case around the memory foam should be washed every month or so.
Solid memory foam pillows do sometimes get stained, and may require some cleaning following the steps below.
Shredded memory foam can accumulate dust mites and dead skin cells within the bed pillow itself, as there are gaps between the foam.
In extreme cases, these shredded pillows can be gently washed in their pillow cover . Alternatively, the foam can be lightly sprayed with antibacterial spray and then left out in the sun to naturally sterilise. After this, the pillow can be re-filled with the memory foam.
Can You Wash Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to bacterial development and dust mites, but that doesnt mean its 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 cant be machine washed. The movement of a washing machine will break down and shatter the foam in your pillow.
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How Often Should I Wash My Pillow
If you get your pillow dirty, wash it right away. If nothing especially gross happens to it, try to wash it at least every 4 to 6 months. I like to wash my pillows once a quarter when I rotate my mattress.
Its always a good idea to air out or fluff your pillow occasionally, as well. That might mean throwing it in the dryer for a few minutes to help it maintain its loft or leaving it outside in the fresh air overnight.
Check out our list of Best Pillows for 2022.
Can You Wash A Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
In recent years, memory foam has become the pillow material of choice because of its long lifespan. Memory foam pillows can either be one solid piece or shredded pieces of foam.
If youve recently switched to shredded memory foam pillows, you might be wondering if they can be washed. Regular pillows are replaced so often the thought of washing them may never have occurred to you.
Shredded memory foam pillows can be washed by hand or in a washing machine with gentle detergent. But its important to check your pillows label for care instructions as some are hand wash only. Some pillows can go in the dryer on the lowest heat setting.
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How To Wash A Memory Foam Or Latex Pillow
In order to avoid damaging the filling, it is impossible to machine wash memory foam or latex pillows. To begin, follow the care tag instructions and remove any covers. In the absence of any other directions, simply run a warm water gentle cycle with detergent and a low heat setting on your washing machine.
Using an upholstery attachment to vacuum both sides of the cushion is the best way to clean the foam. Adding baking soda to the foam before to vacuuming can help remove any scents that may be present.
Using a moist towel and mild dish detergent solution, you may spot clean stained foam and get it looking like new. Do not scrub too vigorously because the foam will tear easily if you do so.
Before putting the case back on, let the cushion to air dry in direct sunlight, if possible.
How To Wash Memory Foam Pillows
When you rest your head on your pillow at night, you probably dont want to be lying among thousands of dust mite carcasses. Even though memory foam retains fewer germs, its still important to keep your memory foam pillow fresh.
Memory foam pillows cant be machine-washed or tumble-dried, since theyre sensitive to tearing. Instead, hand-wash your memory foam pillow in a basin with washing-up liquid or laundry detergent, then let it air-dry. The pillow covers should be machine washable, though.
Ill now provide thorough instructions on caring for your memory foam pillow, alongside answering some typical pillow-related questions. Lets get into the pillow talk!
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Breaking It Down: How To Wash Memory Foam Pillows
Your face hits the pillow errry day! So cleaning your pillow regularly makes total sense.
We’re going to break down how to wash memory foam pillows because they need to be treated with a little more care than your regular old bed pillows.
We’ll talk about why some people are hesitant to wash their memory foam pillow and also how it can actually extend the life of the memory foam pillow when done correctly.
We’ll also touch on what kind of detergent you should use, as well as how often you should be washing your memory foam pillow.
Cleaning Different Types Of Pillows
Polyester
Most down alternative or microfiber filling pillows are made of polyester. This is one of the easier materials to clean, so congratulations! More likely than not, you can put your pillow in the washing machine and put it on a cool or warm delicate wash. Once its clean, toss it into the dryer on a low tumble dry.
Pro Tip: Adding one or two tennis balls housed in socks will help break up the filling in your pillow and allow it to dry faster.
Down/Feather
Down pillows can be machine washed and dried just like their down alternative counterparts. The key is to be gentle with it this means using detergents that arent harsh and washing on a delicate cycle and air drying or doing a low tumble dry.
If your pillow smells funky after you pull it out of the dryer, that means its not fully dry yet. Try hand fluffing it before throwing it back in, and dont be alarmed if it takes a few cycles.
Shredded Foam
The best way to clean your foam pillow will vary depending on whether its a solid piece of foam or shredded pieces. Shredded foam pillows can often be washed in the washing machine . Youll want to wring out the foam pieces before throwing the pillow in the dryer to help lower the drying time, and make sure to add the tennis balls in socks that I mentioned earlier. It can take many cycles in the dryer for a shredded foam pillow to dry completely.
Microbeads
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Deep Cleaning Memory Foam Pillow
Can you wash memory foam pillows by deep cleaning? Yes, you can. If you havent washed your memory foam pillows for quite a few months now, it is time for some deep cleaning.
