How To Wash Memory Foam Pillow & Make Memory Foam Pillows Smell Nice?

People spend hours understanding the various ways to clean or wash their memory foam pillows. They are often confused about where to start. Don’t worry, we have all the information that you are looking for on washing memory foam pillows.

Neglecting the dirt and dust on foam pillows can lead to mites, dead skin, and dust faces. This can be dreadful to sleep on it again.

If you have invested in expensive memory foam pillows, you have to take care of these well before they make it more expensive for you to replace them with new ones. On the other side, buying cheap ones or offers need double care as they will wear and tear easily.

Can you wash memory foam pillows?

The answer is NO. You must not make the mistake of washing memory foam pillows in the washing machine. You may wash if a brand or manufacturing company has specified to do so.

One of the main reasons for avoiding the wash is that memory foam pillows are like a hard sponge. The tough material inside can easily tear apart after becoming wet or in the wash cycle. Waterlogging or contact with detergents can also lead to foam damage.

Instead of washing, there are other alternatives to cleaning these. We shall take a look at these ahead in the article. But, for now, what is essential for you to know is to prevent your foam pillows from entering in the washing machine and prevent introducing them to the wash cycles.

How Often Should You Wash Your Memory Foam Pillows?

You must wash or clean your memory foam pillows every 2 to 3 months. Choosing a memory foam pillow is the best decision until you know how often to clean it.

Many companies claim them to be hypoallergenic; however, the foam may still attract dead skin cells, sweat, and mites. To have clean and fresh foam pillows, you need to keep them clean every 2 to 3 months.

During the cleaning cycle, you must also deodorize and deep clean your pillows every 2 to 3 months. We shall look at the various ways on how you can clean up the memory foam pillows at regular intervals. Practicing good hygiene for pillows means living a healthy lifestyle and following healthy sleep.

Effective Ways to Clean a Memory Foam Pillow

We would rather use the word Clean instead of Wash as we have already discussed the consequences of washing memory foam pillows. Some of the prominent and most preferred methods of memory foam pillow cleaning are:

1. Spot Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows
2. Deep Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows
3. Deodorizing Memory Foam Pillows

Let’s get started discussing the various ways of cleaning foam pillows in detail…

1. Spot Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows

Spot cleaning method is followed to remove tough stains from memory foam pillows. Depending on the depth of stains, you need to combine deep cleaning method by submerging the pillow in detergent water.

For mild stains, the following process will follow. The objective is to allow the soapy water or mild detergent to penetrate through the foam and remove the stain.

Method A: To remove Blood and Wine stains from Memory Foam Pillow

Things you need to remove blood and wine stains from Memory Foam Pillow

S. No	Item Name	Purpose	Recommended Product
1	Hydrogen Peroxide	To remove tough stains	All in One Multi-Purpose Cleaner by Essential Values
2	Cold Water	To spread
3	Used Toothbrush	To Penetrate hydrogen peroxide
4	Clean cloth	To Blot	White cloth for general cleaning and stain cleaning by Nabob
5	Spray Bottle	To mix the ingredients and spray on the affected area.	Spray Bottles by LiBa

Process:

• Remove the pillow from the pillow covers.
• Pour about 3% of hydrogen peroxide on the stain.
• Blot with clean cloth.
• Repeat until hydrogen peroxide stops bubbling.
• Use a spray bottle filled with cold water and sprinkle on the stain gently.
• With the support of a used toothbrush, run the stains until it is cleaned properly.
• Repeat until the stain is completely gone.

Recommended Product Kit to Clean blood and wine stains from Memory Foam Pillow

For your convenience, we created below custom cleaning kit including all the recommended products required to clean blood and wine stains from Memory Foam Pillow

Method B: To remove food stains and saliva from Memory Foam Pillow

Things you need to remove food stains and saliva

S. No	Item Name	Purpose	Recommended Product
1	Lukewarm Water	For Mixing
2	Clean cloth	To Rub the Stains	White cloth for general cleaning and stain cleaning by Nabob
3	Paper Towels	To soak up the wet stains and to absorb the excess soapy water.	Presto Paper Towels
4	Mild Detergent	To break down the stains.	Gentle Laundry Detergent

Process:

• If your stains are fresh, remove the pillow cover and pillow protector from the pillow.
• With the support of a dry cloth or paper napkin, pat or blot on the stains so that they can easily absorb the stains.
• In a bowl, mix lukewarm water and gentle detergent. Using lukewarm water only and not too hot.
• Dip a clean cloth in the mixture and rub on the stain gently. Repeat in circular motions.
• Repeat the process until the stains are gone. You need to continue using a clean cloth. Also, ensure that the excess water and soap residue is absorbed by the cloth well as well. Let the pillow dry completely on its own before you can use it again.

Recommended Product Kit to Clean food stains and saliva from memory foam pillow

For your convenience, we created below custom cleaning kit including all the recommended products required to clean food stains and saliva from memory foam pillow

2. Deep Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows

Deep cleaning is the only method where you are advised to wash the memory foam pillow instead of cleaning it. The same process is also applicable to wash latex pillows as well.

As the process title suggests, the objective of the method is to clean deeper stains from the pillow. Deep stains such as urine or beverages can be cleaned through the deep cleaning method.

People also treat dried and old stains that are tough to remove with the help of deep cleaning methods.

Things you need to Deep clean memory foam pillow:

S. No	Item Name	Purpose	Recommended Product
1	Bathtub / Bucket	To Pour Water	W WEYLAN TEC Large Foldable Bath Tub
2	Detergent	To break down the stains	Gentle Laundry Detergent
3	Paper Towels	To soak up the wet stains and to absorb the excess soapy water.	Presto Paper Towels
4	Cold Water	To soak the pillow

Process:

• In a bathtub, pour cold water.
• Mix mild detergent.
• Gently soak the pillow in water for about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Squeeze the pillow foam gently avoiding wringing.
• Keep squeezing gently until the soapy water is removed.
• Place the memory foam pillow on a dry towel and gently roll it. Repeat the process until the excess water is absorbed by the dry towel.
• Remove the pillow from the towel and allow it to air dry under the sunlight or fan. Wait for 24 hours before you use it again.

Recommended Cleaning Kit to Deep clean of memory foam pillow:

For your convenience, we created below custom cleaning kit including all the recommended products required to deep clean the memory foam pillow

3. Deodorizing Memory Foam Pillows

Deodorizing is technically not a cleaning method; it is followed to fade away the unpleasant smell of mites, mold, sweat, and saliva. It is like a dry cleaning method that does not require water or detergents.

People use substances like white vinegar or baking soda to get rid of the bad smell from the pillows as well as pillow covers. Let’s understand the things you would need to follow the deodorizing method for your memory foam pillow.

Things you need to Deodorize Memory Foam Pillow:

S. No	Item Name	Purpose	Recommended Product
1	Baking Soda Or Vinegar	To remove the bad smell and unpleasant odor.	Effective Baking Soda by 365 Whole Foods Market
2	Vacuum Cleaner	Handheld Vacuum Cleaner to vacuum the pillows and leftover baking soda and other cleaning agents.	Cordless Vacuum Cleaner by Black+Decker

Process:

• If you have a removable foam cover, remove the pillow from the protector and cover.
• On one side of the pillow, sprinkle some baking soda.
• Expose the pillow to sunlight with baking soda on it.
• Allow it to settle for 1 to 2 hours.
• Vacuum the surface of the pillow removing the excess baking soda.
• Repeat the process by flipping the pillow.
• You may also follow the cleaning instructions as provided on the pillow instruction tag.

Recommended Cleaning Kit to Deep clean of memory foam pillow:

For your convenience, we created below custom cleaning kit including all the recommended products required to Deodorize Memory Foam Pillow

What to Avoid When Washing Memory Foam Pillows?

Other than the above cleaning methods, there are certain things to avoid while cleaning the memory foam pillows. When you think of washing or cleaning the pillows, you need to be careful of the foam. Pillow foams are delicate and may easily break down if untreated well.

Let’s check out quickly:

• Never let your foam pillows come in contact with harsh bleaching agents, detergents, and other strong cleaning chemicals.
• Avoid washing the pillows in the washing machine unless specified by your manufacturer.
• Avoid drying your pillow in the washing machine dryer. The tough foam will soon become rough leading to damages. The heat generated from the dryer during the dry cycle may also melt down the memory foam.
• Never try to wring the pillow. It can break the memory foam easily.
• Avoid washing memory foam pillows in hot water. Washing in hot water can make the stain tougher to remove.
• Do not skip any instructions during the cleaning methods. Follow everything step by step as stated.
• Never use the memory foam pillow until it is completely dried. The wetness or moisture inside will result in mold or mildew to breed.
• Never scrub the pillow too hard while cleaning.
• Never leave the pillow dirty for too long. The longer gaps you follow between cleaning cycles, the tougher will be for your pillow to cleanup properly.
• Never leave the pillow wet. Always follow the air-dry method and allow it to completely dry before it is usable again.

Can you clean the memory foam pillow without washing it?

Other than the washing method, we have discussed ways of spot cleaning, vacuuming, baking soda method, and air dry method. Thus, adding more will only lead to confusion. These are some of the best ways discussed if you have to deep wash or just clean the memory foam pillows.

Washing memory foam pillows are possible when the manufacturer instructs in the pillow tag. However, no manufacturer will ask you to wash these pillows in a washing machine.

We have explained the easiest method of submerging the pillow in mild soapy water. You just got to be gentle during the wash and soak method.

How to Make Your Memory Foam Pillows Smell Nice?

The baking soda method is the best to make your memory foam pillows smell nice! It is suggested by most experts. For a quick recap, you can jump to the method of ‘Deodorizing Memory Foam Pillows’ as discussed above.

Instead of baking soda, some people also add vinegar to the detergent as an alternative. Vinegar also helps to fade off the unpleasant smell and sweat smell from the foam pillows.

Regardless of the method you follow, memory foam pillows with bad odor generally take about 2 to 3 days to fade off the smell.

People who are sensitive to allergies may need to wait for 3 days at least before they use the pillow again after the baking soda method. Your pillows need to be completely disinfected and odor-free before it is out to use again.

FAQs Related to Cleaning Memory Foam Pillows

Q. Can memory foam pillows be washed in the washing machine?

No! As we explained how washing the pillows in the washing machine can ruin the quality and life of your foam pillow, you must also remember never to put the pillow in the dryer too.

Q. How often should you clean a memory foam pillow?

2 to 3 months is the ideal time to clean memory foam pillows if you want to feel them clean and fresh for long. Follow any of the above cleaning methods depending on the level of cleaning required.

Q. Can You Steam Clean a Memory Foam Pillow?

You can use a steam cleaner to treat deep and tough stains. You may either use a handheld steamer or a full-size steaming machine. To add freshness to the pillow, you may add a tbsp. of lemon and vinegar in the steamer.  It will deodorize your pillows.

Q. How do I get the sweat smell out of my memory foam pillow?

You need to follow the Deodorizing method as explained in the article to get rid of the sweat smell from your memory foam pillow. Baking soda has been preferred the most by people to get rid of unpleasant smell from the pillows.

Q. Can memory foam pillows grow mold?

Yes, mold feeds and breeds on wet as well as moist environments. Foam pillows are one of those. If your pillows are old and dirty, mold is like to breed over them.

Conclusion:

We hope we are clear on the several popular cleaning methods of memory foam pillows. For any further confusion and queries related to washing memory foam pillows, you may also follow up with your respective manufacturer. You may also leave your comments to us. We will try our best to help you with the most relevant solution. We would be happy to assist you with any queries or discussions related to memory foam pillows.