Can Memory Foam Pillows Be Washed?

Memory foam pillows should never be put in the washing machine because they are too fragile and will become damaged when spun in the machine. In addition, memory foam pillows are very absorbent, so will be waterlogged by a long machine wash and almost impossible to dry.

However, you can wash a memory foam pillow without a machine. See these three easy steps to deep clean your pillow without damaging it.

How to wash a memory foam pillow in 3 steps

Step 1. Fill your bath with a mix of water and detergent

Pour a small amount of gentle detergent into a bath of lukewarm water. Don’t use hot water as this can damage your memory foam pillow. Consider using a mildly scented detergent, like lavender, which has natural relaxing properties and can improve your sleep quality.

Dip your memory foam pillow into the water and gently squeeze it so the soap soaks in. Avoid submerging it for too long so the pillow doesn’t get waterlogged.

Step 2. Refill the bath with clean water

Drain your bath of the detergent solution and then refill once more with clean, lukewarm water. Submerge the pillow again, giving it a light squeeze to rinse away all the leftover soap. Repeat this until the water runs clear.

Step 3. Air dry in the sun

Take your memory foam pillow out the bath, giving it a final gentle squeeze to get rid of the excess water. Place it in a sunny spot to air dry completely. You could also leave it outside in good weather.

How do you get the smell out of a memory foam pillow?

With a new memory foam pillow, you might be able to smell a chemical odour after opening the packaging. This is called ‘off gassing’ and is completely normal. You shouldn’t need to wash your pillow to get rid of the smell – it should fade away after a few days.

If the odour is too strong, deodorise your pillow by sprinkling it with baking soda, allowing it to set for 30 minutes. Vacuum away the baking soda and then repeat on the other side of the pillow, which should completely remove the smell.

Sometimes, your pillow will smell because of body odour, particularly if you sweat a lot at night. Or there may be a lingering smell if you spill food or drink. If that’s the case, you can wash your memory foam pillow using the steps above.

How long should you keep memory foam pillows?

Keep your memory foam pillow for 18-36 months. While the construction of these pillows make them naturally resistant to dust, they’ll still need to be replaced eventually. If you have washed your pillow and it still feels less than fresh, it’s time for a new one. Find out more in our article here.