How to Wash and Care for Latex and Memory Foam Bed Pillows

How to Wash Solid-Foam Pillows

This method will work for all types of solid-foam pillows, including standard polyurethane, latex foam, memory foam, and gel-infused memory foam.

1. Mix a Washing Solution

   To deep clean, a foam pillow should be hand-washed. Fill a large sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of a gentle detergent used for handwashing delicate items. Use about 1 teaspoon of detergent per gallon of water.

2. Wash the Pillow

   Remove the foam pillow from its protective cover (the cover can be washed separately with other laundry). Completely submerge the foam pillow in the detergent and water solution and knead it gently for about 10 minutes to move the cleaning solution through the foam.

3. Rinse

   Drain the soapy water and refill the sink with fresh water. Knead the foam pillow gently to remove the suds. Drain and refill the sink several times with clean water until no more suds appear. Gently squeeze the foam to remove the water, but do not wring it out, as this can break the foam.

4. Dry the Pillow

   Allow the pillow to air dry on a flat, ventilated surface away from direct heat and sunlight. Do not use a clothes dryer because the high heat can cause damage and cause the foam to crumble. To speed drying, use a portable fan to circulate air. Depending on the thickness of the foam, it can take up to 24 hours or more for a pillow to dry completely.

   Check the foam for any residual moisture before returning it to tis protective cover.

   Tip

   Drying the foam pillow outdoors on a breezy, warm day can shorten the drying time to just a few hours. But make sure to keep the pillow out of direct sunlight.

How to Spot Clean and Freshen a Foam Pillow

If you don't have time to thoroughly wash a foam pillow, spot cleaning can remove stains until it can be washed.

1. Mix a Cleaning Solution

   In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in 2 cups of lukewarm water.

2. Treat the Stains

   Dip a clean white cloth into the solution and gently blot from the outside of the stain toward the center. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred. 

3. Rinse and Dry the Foam

   Once the stain is gone, dip a clean white cloth in plain water and blot to remove any remaining soap. Allow the pillow to air dry completely. If you must speed up the drying process, use a hairdryer set on cool to dry the cleaned area.

4. Freshen a Pillow With Baking Soda

   If the foam pillow just needs to be freshened, begin by removing the protective cover and tossing it in the wash. Sprinkle the entire pillow with baking soda, covering it well. Allow the baking soda to sit on the surface for at least an hour and then vacuum it away using the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum. This will help absorb odors and remove any dust mites or pet hair that might be on the pillow. Flip the pillow over and repeat.

What Is a Foam Pillow?

At one time, the filler material inside the fabric cover of bed pillows usually consisted of some kind of natural material, such as cotton, wool, or the feathery down from ducks or geese. But today's sleepers very often find that a pillow filled with some form of flexible rubber or polyurethane foam offers a better sleeping experience. In whatever form, foam is a resilient pillow filler that conforms to the sleeper's head and bounces back after being compressed.

Though it doesn't affect how the pillow is cleaned, the foam used in pillows comes in several different forms:

• Latex foam: As a pillow filler, latex foam can either be made from authentic latex harvested from rubber trees or (more likely) a synthetic version of latex. Pillows with natural latex are fairly expensive, but they are a good choice for sleepers with sensitivities to the chemicals used in synthetic rubber and foam. Natural latex foam is completely hypoallergenic and anti-fungal. Typically, a latex foam pillow will be a solid block of resilient material perforated with holes to improve air circulation and reduce heat. But there are also shredded latex pillows available, which some sleepers find preferable.
• Flexible polyurethane foam: This is the original form of resilient foam widely used in cushions and pillows. Polyurethane is a synthetic polymer derived mostly from petroleum distillates. Polyurethane pillows can either use a solid block of foam or shredded pieces. They are an inexpensive option, but may not last as long as pillows made with other types of foam.
• Memory foam: This is a special type of synthetic foam that was first created in 1966 in a NASA lab from polyurethane and other chemicals. Memory foam has gone through three generations of development to improve breathability, temperature, and odor control. The appeal of a memory foam pillow is that it molds to the contours of the head and holds that shape, reducing pressure points. Because it tends to "sleep hot," memory foam pillows are now sometimes augmented with one or more gel layers that reduce heat retention. Memory foam can be used for both solid or shred-filled pillows. 
  

Treating Stains on Foam PiIlows

Most stains that seep through a pillowcase and pillow cover onto the foam pillow can be removed by careful blotting using a solution of water and gentle detergent (see above). With deeply set-in stains such as blood or wine, a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide cleaner will usually do the trick. Never use bleach on a foam pillow.

Foam Pillow Care and Repairs

The life of a foam pillow can be extended if you routinely use an additional protective pillow coverr beneath the pillowcase. Changing pillowcases weekly and washing the pillow cover monthly can keep the inner foam pillow in good shape for many months.

Foam pillows that are frequently bent and doubled over can eventually begin to break down, so if possible, keep your pillow flat while sleeping on it. There is no repair possible with foam pillows. Once you do see your foam pillow begin to crack or shred from extended use, it's time to buy a new pillow.

Storing Foam Pillows

If foam pillows must be stored for long periods, it's best to remove the inner foam pillow from its protective cover and store them separately. The foam itself is not subject to mildew or mold, but the fabric covers can sometimes absorb moisture, or be subject to insect attack. The covers can be folded and stored flat in a dry location or cedar chest, while the inner foam pillow can be stored in closed containers or plastic bags. It's generally best not to compress foam pillows for storage.

How Often to Wash Foam Pillows

If you use a pillow cover and regularly change pillowcases, your foam pillow should only need to be thoroughly cleaned once or twice a year—unless there is a spill or accident.

Tips for Washing Foam Pillows

• Whether you have a latex or memory foam pillow, the best thing you can do to help maintain a clean pillow is to use a protective pillow cover that is machine washable. The cover should be made from a breathable natural fiber like cotton, bamboo, or linen and always used in addition to your regular pillowcase. Wash it at least monthly using hot water and more often during hot weather or if someone is ill.
• Thoroughly vacuum your foam pillow each time you change bed linens (preferably, once a week). This will remove dead skin cells, dust mites, and other allergens and keep your foam pillow fresh.