Skip to content
Latex pillows are popular pillows made from all-natural latex and are often chosen for their hypoallergenic properties. There are many different types of latex pillows, like natural latex pillows, shredded latex pillows and solid latex pillows, which come in a variety of shapes and designs. All of these different types of latex pillows need to be washed regularly to keep them clean and stain-free. In this handy guide, we’re going to discuss how to wash latex pillows without any risk of damaging your favorite sleeping pillow.
How to Wash Latex Pillows
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can’t wash a latex pillow in the washing machine or dry it in a dryer, since that can damage the latex fibers and pillow casing.
It’s also important to avoid soaking your latex pillow or placing it in direct sunlight when cleaning it. Be sure to read the care instructions, because some pillow brands might have unique care instructions for their products.
Hand washing is the only way to safely clean and refresh these types of pillows.
Here’s a quick look at the best way to handwash your soft pillow:
Step 1: Gather Your Accessories
First, you’ll need to gather all of the needed cleaning equipment:
- A container with warm water
- A mild laundry detergent or mild liquid detergent
- A clean cloth
- Clean towels
Step 2: Washing the Pillow and Spot Cleaning
To wash your pillow, grab a clean cloth, dip it in warm water and blot the pillow. Be careful not to saturate your pillow and use a mild detergent on spots or stains.
Step 3: Rinse the Pillow
Try and rinse off excess soap by blotting the treated area with a clean cloth and clean water. Remove as much soapy water as you can without saturating your pillow.
Step 4: Drying Process
To dry off your pillow, you can place fresh towels on both sides and press to extract the excess water.
Once the moisture has been extracted, place the pillow on a flat surface so it can dry off. Avoid direct sunlight so the sun won’t damage your pillow, and remember to turn it over every couple of hours so it can dry off on all sides.
The pillow should be completely dry within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Latex pillow owners usually have a lot of questions when it comes to pillow care.
Here’s a quick look at some of the most common questions people have for cleaning and caring for these latex pillows:
Q: Can Latex Pillows Be Machine Washed?
A: There are some brands that create latex pillows that are machine washable on a gentle cycle, but most of these pillows aren’t suitable for washing machine cleaning or soaking.
Q: What Happens if You Wash a Latex Foam Pillow in a Washing Machine?
A: Latex and other types of foam pillows tend to absorb water when they’re soaked. This increases the weight of the pillow dramatically. A lot of force is placed on your pillow when the washing or rinsing cycle begins and the pillow starts rotating in the machine.
This can result in tears in the foam and pillow cover. The fast-spinning action can also separate some of the foam inside the pillow which can result in clumps.
Soaking your pillow also isn’t a good idea because the foam will take multiple hours to fully dry, and in many cases, these thick pillows don’t dry off properly at all. Moisture trapped inside the foam will eventually cause mold and mildew growth along with unpleasant odors.
Q: How Often Should Latex Pillows Be Hand Washed?
A: All bed pillows should be washed every few months because they absorb a lot of dirt, grime, dust, bacteria and body oil while you sleep. If you use a pillow protector, you might not need to wash it quite as often.
It’s recommended to wash and spot treat your pillow every 3 months if you use your latex pillow with just a pillowcase and no pillow protector. Those that have a quality pillow protector will only have to wash the protector once every 3 months and wash and spot treat the pillow once every 6 months.
Q: How Long Do Latex Pillows Last?
A: Well-maintained latex pillows usually last about 5 to 10 years, but there are several factors like sleep habits, cleaning habits and pillow materials that can affect your pillow’s life expectancy.
Q: Can an Old Pillow Make You Sick?
A: Yes, old pillows that aren’t properly cared for can make you sick. If latex pillows are soaked, mold or mildew can start to grow inside the pillow fibers. Breathing in these contaminants can result in breathing difficulties and other medical conditions.
Old pillows also absorb a lot of sweat, oil, dust mites and bacteria over time. These contaminants can spread diseases or can cause allergy symptoms like a sore throat, headaches and nasal congestion, among others.
Bottom Line
It’s important to learn how to wash latex pillows because some washing techniques can completely ruin your pillow. We hope that our guide offered some useful tips on the best way to keep your pillow in great shape.
If you want to learn how to clean other types of pillows, or if you need any other pillow advice then you should have a look at some of the other guides we have on Pillow Insider. With our handy guides, you can find the best quality pillows and the best care instructions for any pillow you buy.