How to Wash a Memory Foam Pillow (Without Ruining It)
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A Straight-Up Guide From Someone Who’s Actually Done It
I’ve ruined a memory foam pillow before.
There—I said it.
It ballooned into this weird, uneven sponge-thing after I tossed it into the washer because a label said “spot clean only,” and I assumed that was just legal paranoia. It wasn’t. That pillow died for my mistakes, and I swore I’d never let another one go out like that.
So if you’re wondering “can you wash memory foam pillows?” or you’re searching for how to clean a memory foam pillow, here’s the real answer from someone who’s been elbow-deep in shredded foam and regrets.
Let’s break it down properly.
Can You Wash a Memory Foam Pillow?
Short answer:
You can clean it. You cannot machine-wash it.
Memory foam doesn’t behave like regular stuffing. It soaks up water, holds it forever, and breaks down when it’s tossed around inside a washer. That’s why every decent pillow company repeats the same advice: spot clean the foam, hand clean stains, and machine-wash only the removable cover.
If you want to see what high-quality foam care guidelines look like, check out how brands like Memory Foam Comfort explain their pillow materials and care across their site:
https://memoryfoamcomfort.com/
How to Clean a Memory Foam Pillow (The Method That Actually Works)
Here’s the approach I use—the one that doesn’t destroy anything and actually keeps the pillow feeling fresh for years.
1. Remove the Outer Cover
Most covers wash fine on a gentle cycle. Warm water. Mild detergent.
Nothing fancy.
If you’re dealing with a pillow that helps with neck pain (shredded foam, cervical support, contoured foam), the covers on these are especially important. You can see examples of these types of pillows here:
https://memoryfoamcomfort.com/collections/memory-foam-pillows-for-neck-pain
2. Spot Clean the Foam (This Part Matters)
Mix a bit of mild detergent with warm water. Not cold. Not hot. Warm.
Dip a cloth in the solution and gently blot whatever’s dirty. Coffee spill? Sweat stain? Mystery stain? It works on all of them.
Then wipe it again with a clean cloth and plain water—no leftover soap.
3. Deodorize With Baking Soda
I swear baking soda has saved more pillows than any mattress store ever has.
Sprinkle it across the foam, leave it alone for an hour or so, vacuum it off.
Done.
4. Deep Clean (Only If You Absolutely Need To)
If you have to do a full wash:
- Fill a tub or sink with lukewarm water
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent
- Submerge the foam and squeeze it a few times
- Rinse until the water runs clear
It will feel like washing a giant sponge at the gym.
5. Let It Dry—Fully
This is the part most people screw up.
Memory foam stays wet in the middle long after it looks dry on the outside. Leave it in a well-ventilated room with sunlight nearby. Not direct blazing sun—just warmth.
Sometimes I flip mine every few hours like a pancake.
If it stays damp inside, mold wins. So give it the time it needs.
How Do You Wash Memory Foam Pillows Without Damaging Them?
Treat them like something you paid good money for and don’t want to replace.
Because once memory foam breaks down, there’s no coming back.
No fluffing. No reviving. No “maybe it’ll get better tomorrow.”
That’s why I always follow the care guides from reliable sources, like this one:
https://memoryfoamcomfort.com/pages/the-ultimate-guide-to-memory-foam-and-cervical-pillows-for-neck-pain
The instructions are always simple:
wash the cover, not the foam—clean the foam by hand, dry it fully.
What About Shredded Memory Foam Pillows?
Shredded foam is a little more forgiving.
I’ve washed the outer covers a hundred times.
The foam itself? Still no machine-washing.
But it’s easier to deodorize and fluff since you can redistribute the filling.
If you use a pillow for chronic neck or shoulder pain, smell or sweat buildup happens faster than you think. Trust me. So having a proper wash routine is the difference between “supportive pillow” and “science experiment.”
Regular Maintenance (So You Don’t Have to Deep Clean As Often)
This is my personal routine. No science—just what works:
- Air it out in the sun for 30 minutes every couple weeks
- Wash the cover regularly
- Baking soda once a month
- Never let it sit damp after cleaning
Little habits save big pillows.
If you want even more info, Memory Foam Comfort has an FAQ that breaks down the finer details here:
https://memoryfoamcomfort.com/pages/faq
Final Thoughts: Don’t Shortcut This
If you treat memory foam the way you treat a hoodie—toss it in the washer, forget about it—you’ll destroy it. I’ve been there. Learned the lesson. Had to sleep on a lumpy, broken brick of a pillow for a week until I bought a new one.
Clean it right and a memory foam pillow lasts years.
Clean it wrong and you’ll be out $60+ tonight.