One of the most frequently asked questions we get is how to wash a Tempurpedic pillow. Since Tempurpedic pillows are memory foam pillows, they are not as easy to clean as other pillows. However, with a little bit of care and the right products, you can keep your Tempurpedic pillows clean and fresh for many years.
A Step by Step Guide For Cleaning, Washing, and Sanitizing Tempurpedic Pillows
Washing Tempurpedic pillows is not as simple as throwing it in the wash machine on cold setting and calling it a day. There are certain steps you want to take in order to make sure you don’t ruin your pillow for good. Here are the steps to properly wash Tempurpedic pillows.
Steps To Clean Tempurpedic Pillows
Step 1 – Wash the Cover of the Tempurpedic Pillow
The first thing you want to do is remove the pillow from the cover so you can wash the cover separately. The pillow cover can usually go in a washing machine on a gentle cycle on a cool setting and a mild detergent. Check the tag before just throwing it into the washer to make sure of the cycle, the temperature of the water, and what kind of gentle detergent the pillow cover can handle. You don’t want to use hot or warm water and end up ruining your pillow covers.
Step 2 – Air Out the Tempurpedic Pillow
The next step in the process is to let the pillow air out. What you want to do is gently roll the pillow with your hands, allowing air to incorporate into the pillow. After you’ve done this a few times you want to let the pillow rest and breathe in some nice clean air in a well-ventilated space. You do not want to put the pillow in the dryer, even on a gentle cycle. This will actually damage the structure of the memory foam and you won’t have the same pillow. You also don’t want to scrub too hard or twist the pillow in any way for this reason. Just let the delicate memory foam absorb fresh air and air dry in a well ventilated room with good air circulation.
Step 3 – How To Remove Tempurpedic Pillow Odors Using a Safe Chemical Cleaner
The best thing to use to eliminate unpleasant odors in the pillow is baking soda. What you want to do is sprinkle baking soda directly onto the foam and allow it to sit for 24 hours. You don’t need to put a timer on it, but give it some time to let the baking soda work its magic.
Do NOT use water, under any circumstances. Again, this will damage the structure of the memory foam and you’ll have a floppy pillow… and nobody wants a floppy pillow!
After you’ve allowed enough time for the baking soda to do its thing, you want to get a vacuum to clean off the baking soda. The best thing to use is an upholstery attachment. Think of the attachment you use to vacuum the stairs. Vacuum up the baking soda and the stink along with it!
Now if the unpleasant smell is from a liquid source, that’s a horse of a different color. What you want to do is mix up a concoction of half vinegar and half water into a spray bottle. Now don’t soak the pillow. You want to delicately mist the trouble spots. Allow it to rest for a few minutes (don’t let this one sit or your head will end up smelling like an Easter egg). Then pat dry with a towel. Make sure you allow the pillow to dry completely.
These steps should remove any unpleasant odor and your memory foam pillow will smell fresh in no time.
Step 4 – Remove Spills and Stains with a Towel
The best way to take care of spills and stains is to not let them happen in the first place! But, hey, accidents happen, right? And once they do it is imperative that you remove any type of spill or stain immediately. You don’t want mold to start to grow inside your pillow.
So the first thing you do is remove the pillow case and throw that in the washer (again, read the label). You want to pat dry any spill with a towel or clean cloth. You don’t want to wring it out or twist it to get the liquid out. Any vigorous cleaning like that will ruin the integrity of the foam. Just relax and pat it dry with a towel on a flat surface. Another tip is to use a fan and blast it with air to help it dry out.
If there are stains you can dilute a tiny amount of mild detergent with cold water. Dip a paper towel into the mixture and gently dab the stain out of the pillow. Then use the methods above to dry the pillow.
Can a Tempurpedic Pillow Go in the Washing Machine?
You never want to put Tempurpedic pillows into the washing machine. This will ruin the integrity of the memory foam and the pillow will no longer be useful. The only part of the pillow that you can put in the washing machine is the protective pillow cover. Refer to the washing instructions above for removable covers.
The best way to wash memory foam pillows is by using the methods above. It may be a little tedious and a pain in the butt when compared to machine washing, but it’s better than ruining the pillow and having to buy a new one every time it needs to be cleaned. So unless you want memory foam pillows with no memory, throwing it in the washing machine is not in the cards.
How To Dry a Tempurpedic Pillow After Washing
The best way to dry Tempurpedic pillows is with fresh air. You can speed up the process by putting it in front of a fan on high power. I blast ours with a giant fan and it’s usually dry within an hour of washing the pillow. Or you can just let it sit out in a well-ventilated space for some fresh air drying. You don’t want to stuff it in a hamper or in the corner of the room. Allow it to be exposed to the air and it should dry relatively quickly.
What Tempurpedic Memory Foam Is Made Of
Tempurpedic foam is made out of delicate materials. The first one is called viscoelastic. This is a type of delicate material that conforms to your body shape and then slowly bounces back into place. This is what makes Tempurpedic so unique and comfortable. It molds to the contours of your body and then returns to its original shape.
The foam is also made out of something called “open-cell structure.” This means that there are tiny pores throughout the foam. These pores help to distribute your body heat and weight evenly to allow you to maintain your body temperature as you sleep. This is one of the best attributes for those with temperature sensitivity. And they also make the foam more comfortable because they allow your body to sink into the pillow instead of just sitting on top of it.
The memory foam material is also made out of a material called “polyurethane.” Polyurethane is a type of plastic that is made out of oil. It’s what gives the foam its spongy texture.
Common Tempurpedic Pillow Stains and How To Remove Them
Sweat Stains
Sweat stains are some of the most common stains in pillows. To get them out you want to use a mixture of water and vinegar. You want to use a spray bottle and gently mist the pillow. You don’t want to soak it. Then use a towel to blot it up. Again, you don’t want to rub the stain or you will risk damaging the foam.
Blood Stains
To remove blood stains from Tempurpedic pillows, you want to use a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. You don’t want to use too much hydrogen peroxide or you will damage the foam. Just enough to dampen the area should do the trick.
Then use a dry towel to blot up the stain. Again, be careful not to rub it or you will damage the foam.
Wine Stains
To remove wine stains from Tempurpedic pillows, you want to use a mixture of water and salt. You want to sprinkle the salt onto the stain and then use a towel to blot it up. Again, be careful not to rub it or you will damage the foam.
Saliva Stains
Saliva stains are very similar to sweat stains in pillows. They are very common as well. Again, you want to use the vinegar and water trick. Spritz it like you’re spraying perfume. You never want to douse yourself in perfume. Subtlety is key. The same thing applies here. Mist and blot. Repeat as needed.
Dirt
Dirt stains are very common in Tempurpedic pillows. They are usually caused by your face being rubbed into the pillow throughout the night. To remove them, you want to use a mixture of water and soap. You can either use dish soap or laundry detergent. I usually go for the dish soap because it’s less harsh.
You want to make a soapy solution and then use a towel to blot the stain in the opposite direction. Again, be careful not to rub it or you will damage the foam. If the stain is stubborn, you can use a bristle brush to lightly scrub it. But be careful! You don’t want to press too hard or you will damage the foam.
How Often Should You Wash Your Tempurpedic Pillow?
You should wash your Tempurpedic pillows at least once a month to get the hidden dust mites out. I like to do it more often because I have sensitive skin. If you don’t have sensitive skin, then once a month should be fine. But if you start to notice any breakouts or irritations, then you should wash it more often. Having a clean pillow will increase your sleep quality.
You can also spot clean it as needed. If you spill something on it, then you want to clean it up right away. The longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove so cleaning spills immediately will help immensely.
How To Store Tempurpedic Pillows
The best way to store Tempurpedic pillows is in a cool, dry place and away from excess moisture. You don’t want to put it in a humid room or near a heat source. This will damage the foam. You also want to make sure that the pillow is in a pillowcase or a cover. This will help in keeping pillows fresh and free of dust.
The Best Stain Cleaners To Use on a Tempurpedic Pillow
You don’t want to use harsh stain removers on your memory foam pillow. you can treat tough stains with other cleaners, cotton cloth, wet towel, and hot water. Below are some of the best cleaners to use when cleaning your Tempurpedic memory foam pillow.
Vinegar and Water
Vinegar and water are great for washing Tempurpedic pillows. Especially when dealing with odors from liquids. The key is to not overdo it. Vinegar is very strong so you want to make sure you dilute it enough with hot water so your head doesn’t smell like a bag of salt and vinegar chips.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a great way to clean a Tempur pedic pillow. It’s very gentle and it doesn’t damage the foam. It’s also great for getting rid of dust mites.
To use it, you want to make a paste out of it and water. Then you want to apply it to the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. After that, you want to use a towel to blot it up.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is great for getting rid of stains on a Tempur pedic pillow. It’s also great for freshening up the pillow. But like vinegar, it has a pretty strong smell. So make sure you dilute it with water and gently rub the stain away. This is my go-to mixture for keeping my memory foam pillow smelling fresh.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning certain stains out of your Tempur pedic pillow. But it can also damage the foam if you’re not careful. So use it sparingly.
Enzymatic Pet Stain Cleaner
There are certain liquid enzymatic cleaner that you can use on a Tempur pedic pillow. They are great for getting rid of pet stains and unpleasant odors (like the ones caused by pet urine). But make sure you check the label to make sure it’s safe to use on foam.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to cleaning Tempurpedic pillow surface, you want to be careful. You don’t want to damage the foam. The best way to clean it is to spot clean it as needed.
If you do need to get the nasty smells out, then use a mild detergent and cold water solution. You can also use vinegar or lemon juice to remove stains (avoid industrial cleaners). But make sure you dilute them with lukewarm water. Make sure if you use any liquid to air dry the memory foam pillow surface and not use a washing machine.
And finally, store your Tempurpedic pillow in a cool, dry place. This will help to extend its lifespan and assure that your Tempurpedic pillow stays clean.
I hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to help!