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Bamboo pillows are the go-to pillows for people with allergies and are also great for different sleep positions or comfort needs.
However, one downside of bamboo pillows is that they can lose their fullness, and you need to fluff them for them to regain their proper shape and fullness. This can be frustrating if you do not know how to fluff your bamboo pillows to maintain the desired loft.
Why Is My Bamboo Pillow Lumpy?
When you purchase a new bamboo pillow, you will find out that they’re lumpy, unlike most regular pillows. Lumpy pillows are discomforting and difficult to use. They can strain your neck and shoulders, and it is not advisable to sleep on one.
Bamboo pillows are usually lumpy because they are compressed after they have been manufactured. This makes it easier for them to be transported while still maintaining their fluffy nature. However, after you purchase a bamboo pillow, the first thing you need to do is to fluff the pillow to get rid of clumps.
Fluffing also makes your bamboo pillow softer and firm and makes sleeping on it comfortable. However, you have to make sure that the pillow is fluffed correctly to prevent it from losing its shape.
How to Fluff a Bamboo Pillow?
While fluffing a bamboo pillow may seem like an easy task, it is not, and you need to be careful to avoid spoiling your pillow in the process. You should consider the nature of the memory foam used in making the bamboo pillow and determine how soft or firm you want your pillow to be before you fluff it.
There are several methods to fluff a bamboo pillow, and the one you choose will depend on whether your bamboo pillow is made with shredded memory foam or not. Here are two recommended ways to fluff your bamboo pillow:
1. Fluffing Bamboo Pillow with a Dryer
Fluffing with a dryer is not recommended for every type of bamboo pillow for obvious reasons. Bamboo pillows are filled with memory foam, which is very soft and does not thrive well when exposed to high temperatures. It tends to crumble or lose its firmness when exposed to high temperatures, and you don’t want this to happen to your bamboo pillow. Thus, before you fluff with a dryer, make sure that your bamboo pillow can survive the heat.
You can fluff a shredded bamboo pillow with a dryer. To do this, toss the pillow in the dryer and leave it in for 10 to 20 minutes. Ensure that the dryer is running on a low heat setting, as this will keep the memory foam shreds in shape. On the other hand, high temperature can cause the bamboo pillow to melt, lose its shape, or reduce its firmness.
For better results, you can also use dryer balls or if they’re not available, you can use tennis balls as an alternative.
2. Fluffing Bamboo Pillow by Hand, without a Dryer
Hand fluffing a bamboo pillow without a dryer is recommended because memory foam does not fare well when exposed to heat. Thus, it is best to fluff with your hands when in doubt.
To fluff your bamboo pillow with your hands, start by shaking the bamboo pillow. If it is a shredded bamboo pillow, shaking it will separate the foam and allow air into the bamboo pillow. After giving it a good shake, you can punch or slap the pillow to make it softer and decompress it. Punch the side and keep flipping the pillow until you are comfortable with the loft. This will make the pillow a lot more flatter.
After punching and flipping the bamboo pillow, you should knead the bamboo pillow on both ends, pushing it together to make it fuller. The pillow would become fluffier and ready for use.
Hand fluffing is recommended for all types of bamboo pillows, and it’s a more straightforward process. It takes just a few minutes to achieve the fullness you want. So if you’re not sure whether your bamboo pillow can survive the minimum temperature of a dryer, you can easily fluff your bamboo pillow manually using this method.
How Long Does it Take for a Bamboo Pillow to Expand?
Bamboo pillows are usually compressed and might have been so for years. This is because they are typically compressed after manufacturing and remain so until they’re bought and used. Even when they are purchased, they can stay compressed if you do not fluff them as they only expand after they have been fluffed.
Fluffing your bamboo pillow takes just a few minutes, especially if you’re fluffing with your hands. However, after fluffing a bamboo pillow, the pillow does not expand automatically as expected. You still have to give it some more time to expand.
Bamboo pillows typically take one to two hours to expand enough for use. However, it is advisable to leave the bamboo pillows for 24 to 72 hours after fluffing before you put them to use. This way, you can be sure that the pillow has fully expanded and is ready for use.
Bamboo Pillow Care and Maintenance Tips
One way to ensure that your beddings last a long time is by taking proper care of them. Beddings lose their quality if not maintained properly, and this includes your pillows. Without proper care and maintenance, your bamboo pillow may lose its shape and quality after a while. Here are some helpful tips for caring for your bamboo pillows:
- After fluffing and decompressing bamboo pillows, air dry them for 24-72 hours before using. This ensures that they expand sufficiently and also get rid of unpleasant chemical odor.
- Use only mild or recommended detergent and soap when washing your bamboo pillows. Bamboo pillows are delicate and likely to be damaged if washed with a harsh detergent, soap, or bleach.
- Avoid machine washing as much as you can because not all bamboo pillows can be washed with a washing machine. Make sure your pillow is compatible before you use a washing machine or wash the bamboo cover in a washing machine and hand wash the inner pillow filling.
- Do not keep your bamboo pillow in a plastic bag of containers as they generate heat, which is not suitable for your pillows.
- Place your pillow in the sun for a few hours once or twice a month in order to keep them free of dust mites.
Bamboo Pillow Construction
What makes bamboo pillows special is its unique construction. Unlike most pillows, bamboo pillows’ covering is made with bamboo fibers, which is soft, absorbent, durable, and provides a comfortable sleep surface.
Bamboo pillows are usually filled with memory foam. The memory foam is malleable and cushions the neck, shoulders, and head. They can also be fluffed to achieve the desired fluffiness or fullness, unlike most pillows, which are stiff. Bamboo pillows are also super soft and comfy, and this makes them desirable.
Another unique feature of bamboo pillows is that the foam can easily be separated from the covering. This makes washing easier as you can wash the foam and cover separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put bamboo pillows in the washing machine?
Washing bamboo pillows is usually challenging and requires a unique technique to maintain the foam’s shape. Bamboo pillows are not heat resistant and may not be ideal for machine washing. The foam may deteriorate or crumble because of the high temperature. Thus, it is advisable to handwash your bamboo pillows.
Alternatively, you can wash the foam with your hands and wash the outer covering in a washing machine. Also, make sure that you wash at low temperature to preserve the quality of the bamboo fabric.
Should I put a pillowcase on my bamboo pillow?
Bamboo pillows are made with bamboo cover, which are soft on the skin and absorb moisture. The bamboo fiber covers are mostly also fine enough to blend with your beddings. Thus, it is possible to use your bamboo pillows without any pillowcases.
However, you may decide to use a nice pillowcase that blends with your other beddings. It’s also advisable to use a pillowcase to keep your pillow neat. The additional covering ensures that your pillow maintains its quality since the pillow won’t require frequent washing.
How to soften bamboo pillows?
Bamboo pillows are known for their softness. However, they are usually compressed when manufactured, and this makes them hard when you open the after purchasing. To soften a bamboo pillow, all you need to do is fluff them and allow them to expand before use.
Fluffing them will make them softer, and you can do this with your hands or a dryer. If you notice that your pillow had become too soft, all you need to do is knead them on the sides. They will become compressed and a bit firmer.
