How to Wash a Memory Foam Pillow: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wash the removable cover according to its care label, but never put a solid memory foam core in a washing machine or soak it. Spot-clean the foam with a barely damp cloth, air it out, and let it dry completely before putting the cover back on.
To wash a memory foam pillow, remove and wash the cover according to its label; never machine-wash or soak a solid foam core. Spot-clean the core, deodorize it dry, air it out, and wait until it is fully dry before replacing the cover.
What you need
- Care-label instructions for the cover and pillow
- Clean, absorbent towels
- A bowl of cool or lukewarm water
- A small amount of mild soap, if the label permits spot-cleaning
- A vacuum with an upholstery attachment for dry baking soda
- A well-ventilated drying spot away from direct sun and heat
Before you clean: check the care label
Care instructions vary by cover, foam formulation, and pillow construction. Read the sewn-in label and the product listing first. If the label says dry clean, hand-wash, or gives a specific temperature or detergent, follow that instruction instead of the general steps here. When no care instruction is stated, the conservative choice is to keep the foam dry and spot-clean only.
Step 1: Remove and wash the cover
- Unzip or remove the cover without pulling against the foam.
- Check whether the label allows machine washing or requires hand-washing. Use the label's water temperature, detergent, cycle, and drying instructions.
- Keep the uncovered foam away from spills while the cover is being cleaned.
For example, the Amity Comfort Cervical Pillow listing states that its cover is hand-wash only. Do not transfer that instruction to another pillow: check each cover's own label.
Step 2: Spot-clean the foam core
- Use a dry towel to blot a fresh spill. Do not rub it deeper into the foam.
- For a mark, dampen a clean cloth with a small amount of mild soap solution. The cloth should be barely damp, not wet enough to drip.
- Blot or dab the mark from the outside toward the center. Avoid soaking, aggressive scrubbing, wringing, and twisting.
- Use a second cloth lightly dampened with clean water only if needed to lift soap residue, then blot with a dry towel.
Solid memory foam can hold water inside its cells. That is why spot-cleaning is safer than putting the core in a washing machine or tub. If the care label gives different instructions, use the label.
Step 3: Deodorize without soaking
For a dry odor, sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the exposed foam. Leave it undisturbed, then vacuum it away with an upholstery attachment. Keep the powder dry and do not mix it into a wet cleaning solution. Air the pillow in a well-ventilated room afterward.
A new-foam smell may fade with ventilation. If a smell remains after careful airing and cleaning, or if the foam is damaged, consider replacing the pillow rather than masking the odor with fragrance.
Step 4: Dry the pillow completely
- Place the uncovered pillow in a well-ventilated area.
- Turn it occasionally so air can reach more than one side.
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from hair dryers, clothes dryers, radiators, and other concentrated heat.
- Do not put the cover back on until the foam is dry through the center, not only on the surface.
There is no universal number of hours that guarantees a foam pillow is dry. The foam's thickness, the amount of water used, airflow, and room conditions all matter. If it still feels cool, damp, or heavy in the middle, keep airing it.
Can you wash shredded memory foam?
Only if the specific care label allows it, and follow that label exactly. Many shredded-foam pillows have a removable outer cover and an inner liner; in that construction, wash the cover or liner only as instructed and keep the fill dry. If the label does not clearly allow washing the fill, emptying or soaking it is not a safe assumption. Shake or fluff dry fill to redistribute it, and store any removed fill in a clean, labelled bag.
Cover vs foam core vs shredded fill
| Part | Can you wash it? | How to clean it | How to dry it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable cover | Only as its care label allows | Follow the label; Amity's listing says hand-wash only | Follow the label; do not guess a dryer setting |
| Solid memory foam core | Do not machine-wash or soak unless the label specifically says otherwise | Blot spills; spot-clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap if suitable | Air-dry fully in ventilation, away from direct sun and heat |
| Shredded memory foam fill | Only if the label specifically allows washing the fill | Otherwise keep dry, air it out, and fluff or redistribute it | Dry every piece fully before returning it to the liner |
What not to do
- Do not put a solid memory foam core in a washing machine.
- Do not put a solid foam core in a dryer.
- Do not soak, wring, twist, or aggressively scrub the foam.
- Do not use bleach or strong cleaners unless the care label specifically directs it.
- Do not cover or sleep on the pillow while the foam is still damp.
- Do not assume that care instructions for one pillow apply to another.
How often should you clean a memory foam pillow?
Wash the removable cover as often as its label and your use require, and use a pillow protector under the pillowcase if the construction allows it. Spot-clean spills promptly. Air the pillow when it needs freshening, but do not use frequent soaking as a substitute for a washable cover or protector.
If your pillow is no longer recoverable after careful cleaning, see how often to replace pillows for a fill-by-fill checklist.
When should you replace a memory foam pillow?
Look for practical signs rather than an invented timetable: foam that stays flattened, crumbles, loses its shape, or has a smell that persists after careful cleaning and ventilation. If the cover is torn or the core is damaged, replace it. For return eligibility, read the refund policy; it gives every order a 30-day risk-free trial, and pillows are covered, opened or used.
CalmEden pillow care notes
Prices and availability checked on September 29, 2026. The table reflects the listing text available at that check; care not stated means the listing did not provide a care instruction that can be repeated here.
| Pillow | Price | What the listing states about care |
|---|---|---|
| Amity Comfort Cervical Pillow | $69.90 | Cover is hand-wash only. The listing describes a two-sided contoured and hollow design. |
| Grid Honeycomb Gel Support Pillow | $98.90 | The single-piece TPE honeycomb core can be rinsed clean; allow it to dry completely before use. Check the cover's separate label. |
| Lowloft Low-Profile Memory Foam Pillow | $79.90 | Polyurethane memory foam with ice silk fabric; care not stated on the listing. |
| Cumulus Soft Cervical Pillow | $69.90 | Remove the outer cover and machine-wash cold on gentle with mild detergent; air-dry or tumble-dry low. Do not wash the memory foam core; wipe it gently with a damp cloth if needed and air-dry fully. |
| Tune Adjustable Loft Pillow | $49.90 | Remove the outer cover and machine-wash cold on gentle; air-dry or tumble-dry low. Never wash the foam fill; spot-clean only. |
Memory foam and foam-support pillows we stock
These listings were checked on September 29, 2026. Product care below repeats only what each listing states; where the listing does not state care, it is marked that way.
Related reading
For the differences between solid, shredded, and gel-infused pillows, read the memory foam pillow guide. If the pillow uses loose fill, the adjustable pillow guide explains how that construction works. You can also browse the memory foam pillow collection or all pillows.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a memory foam pillow in the washing machine?
Not if it has a solid memory foam core. A washing machine can agitate and saturate the foam, so wash only a removable cover if its care label allows it. Check the label before cleaning any pillow.
How do you get a smell out of a memory foam pillow?
Remove the cover, sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the dry foam, leave it for a while, then vacuum it with an upholstery attachment. Air the pillow in a well-ventilated room and make sure it is fully dry before covering it again. Do not soak it or use heat to speed the process.
How do you clean a spill or stain on memory foam?
Blot the spill promptly with a clean towel. Then use a barely damp cloth with a small amount of mild soap, working from the outside of the mark toward the center. Do not saturate, scrub aggressively, wring, or cover the foam until it is fully dry.
How long does a memory foam pillow take to dry?
There is no safe universal drying time. Leave the foam in a well-ventilated place until it is dry all the way through; check the center and seams, not only the surface. Keep it out of direct sun and away from dryers, radiators, and other heat.
Can you put a memory foam pillow in the dryer?
Do not put a solid memory foam core in a dryer. Heat can damage foam, and a damp center can remain after the outside feels dry. A removable cover may go in a dryer only if its care label says so.
When should you replace a memory foam pillow?
Consider replacing it when the foam stays flattened, crumbles, no longer returns to shape, or has a smell that remains after careful airing and cleaning. Follow the product's care and return information, and do not use a damaged cover or core.
Keep reading
- Memory foam pillow guide
- Adjustable pillow guide
- Cooling pillow guide
- Shop memory foam pillows
- Shop all pillows
- Refund policy
Calm Eden sells some of the products mentioned here. Product care details come from the listings available on September 29, 2026; always check the care label on your own pillow first. This guide is general cleaning information, not a guarantee that every foam formulation or cover will respond the same way.