Pillow guide
How to Clean a Memory Foam Pillow Safely
Wash the cover, spot-clean the foam, and never soak it. The reasoning matters.
- Published
- 2026-01-15
- Updated
- 2026-01-15
Short answer
Machine washing a solid memory foam pillow can tear its cell structure and leave it lumpy, and it holds water so long that mould becomes a genuine risk. Launder the removable cover instead, spot-clean the foam with a barely damp cloth, blot it dry, and air it flat away from heat.
Why not the washing machine
Memory foam is an open-cell polyurethane structure. Agitation and the weight of absorbed water break those cell walls, so the pillow loses the support you bought it for and never fully recovers. Drying is the second problem: the interior can stay damp for days even when the surface feels dry.
The safe method
- Remove the cover and wash it per its care label.
- Vacuum the foam surface gently with an upholstery attachment.
- Dampen a cloth with cool water and a little mild detergent — wring it out well.
- Dab the soiled area; do not scrub, twist or wring the foam.
- Blot with a dry towel to draw out moisture.
- Air dry flat in a ventilated room, out of sunlight and away from radiators.
- Only refit the cover once the foam is completely dry.
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- Why Memory Foam Pillows Smell
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- How Long Do Memory Foam Pillows Last?
Judge by behaviour, not by the calendar: a foam pillow is done when it stops springing back.