As something we come in contact with for many hours a night, our bed pillows have the tendency to accumulate tons and tons of unwanted elements such as dust, dust mites, and dead skin cells.
Keeping our memory foam pillows hygienic is, therefore, of utmost importance. Here are some steps and tips that can help you in keeping your memory foam pillows fresh and clean.
Tips To Keep Your Memory Foam Pillow Clean
1. Understand your pillow’s material.
Since solid memory foam is different from the type of material found in our traditional bed pillows, it should also be cared for differently.
With its dense structure, solid memory foam naturally inhibits the growth and propagation of dust mites inside the foam itself. However, these mites and other microorganisms can still cling onto the pillow’s surface. Sanitising the outer surface is thereby the priority when it comes to cleaning your memory foam pillow.
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When it comes to smell, purchasing a solid memory foam pillow with odour-control properties can ensure that deodorising your pillow is one less problem off of your list!
2. Do not put your memory foam pillows in the washing machine or dryer.
The motions of a washing machine and dryer could tear apart the padding of your memory foam pillow. Not only will it weaken the material but it will also cut the pillow’s usual life span of 18 to 36 months.
3. Use a pillow cover.
If you’re sensitive to allergens or if you’re a side sleeper that often has your face in contact with your bed pillows, regularly changing your pillowcase could be a quick and easy way to keep your memory foam pillows fresh.
Serving as a pillow protector, the pillowcase can prevent dust and dead skin cells to penetrate the pillow. Most memory foam pillows come with a removable pillow cover that you can throw in the washing machine hassle-free.
Using a regular pillowcase over your memory foam pillow, on the other hand, could also help in maintaining hygiene while keeping the pillow in line with your room’s aesthetic.
How to Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow
Regular cleaning
Since memory foam pillows only have to be surface cleaned, the easiest way to go is with the use of baking soda and a vacuum cleaner.
Sprinkle your pillow with baking soda and allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour for maximised odour removal. After which, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment or a handheld vacuum to remove dust mites, skin cells, and other pathogens that live on your pillow.
Spot cleaning
If there are small stains on your memory foam pillow, you can opt to spot clean instead of washing the entire pillow.
Simply use mild detergent and a damp cloth and you’re ready to remove the stains away from your bed pillow!
Tougher stains – such as blood, wine, or pet urine – may need the use of hydrogen peroxide to weaken the stain and a clean cloth to wipe it away.
Make sure to use mild cleaning ingredients when sanitizing your memory foam pillow. Although sturdy, solid memory foam is a delicate material so using mild or natural ingredients will be able to preserve its integrity.
Deep cleaning
In drastic cases, you might need to deep clean your solid memory foam pillow. However, be warned that washing it, letting it absorb water, and then squeezing water out of it can ultimately ruin the quality of your pillow. We don’t recommend this cleaning process as much. For solid memory foam pillows, regular and spot cleaning are considered the best methods.
Clean Pillow = Good Night’s Sleep
There’s nothing better than to lie in your bed knowing that you’re sleeping on a clean pillow. Make sure to pillows are fresh and dirt-free by cleaning them the way they should be cleaned – through regular and/or spot cleaning!
When you clean your memory foam pillow, you get rid of all the pathogens AND also extend its lifespan. Now you can keep your pillow fresh while you get that good night’s sleep!