If you want to learn how to break in a new pillow, you can simplify the process into three steps. It’s essential to break in your new pillow upon its arrival so that you can get the most of its form. Remember that you need the pillow to have the right firmness, height, and loft for optimal support and comfort.
All pillows benefit from breaking in, even the popular one from Tempurpedic. This article should guide you in the proper process, but the emphasis is still necessary on checking your pillow’s label. Your manufacturer might have a specific requirement for breaking in your pillow’s material.
Step By Step Guide On Break In A New Pillow
Step #1. Cover and stuff
Upon getting your new pillow, you want to prepare it first before the next two steps. This means putting it inside a pillowcase with the appropriate size and adding a pillow form inside. This way, the pillow ends up nice and fluffy while also showing you the structure you want to achieve.
Step #2. Use heating pads and electric blankets
The next step for breaking in a new pillow is putting a heating pad over the pillow. The pad should be at the medium heat setting to help the pillow soften. You can leave it on for 15 minutes before placing the pillow under an electric blanket for the same duration.
These two devices will help soften your new pillow, especially if you notice stiffness since it’s unused. However, please note that different pillows will have various materials, and some might be sensitive to heat. You can skip this step depending on your pillow recommendations and go straight to step number three instead.
Step #3. Beat, tumble, or leave it out
The final step to get your pillow ready for bed is to either beat, tumble, or leave it out. The reason why the practices you can do vary is because of the different pillow materials. However, almost all types of pillows benefit from getting a beating.
This means putting the new pillow on a surface, and you’ll beat it with something hard like the handle of the broom. You can also give it some kneading and punches to weaken the new pillow filling and soften the stiff structure. However, there are pillows like those that use memory foam and bamboo.
With these pillows, frequent usage of the pillow will eventually make the feel more conforming and softer. You can also place some pillows outside and let the sun do the breaking in for you. And finally, another option to break in a new pillow is tumbling it on low heat in the dryer.
What Should I Do With A New Pillow?
Besides breaking it in, another practice that you should do with a new pillow is to wash it. Remember that the last thing you want is to invite bacteria and other harmful pathogens or allergens in the bed. Depending on the brand, your pillow might be usable straight out of the packaging.
However, you’ll have ease of mind by giving it a washing before usage. The first thing to check is the label if you can wash it in the machine or if it requires hand washing. For the former, you don’t want to overload the washer to ensure good circulation inside.
On the other hand, you can squeeze the pillow in a tub of lukewarm water and gentle detergent without being too harsh in handling it. Rinse the pillow thoroughly, and then check for the label again if you can use a dryer or not. The bottom line is to not end up with a damp pillow after you wash it, as this can encourage mildew.
How To Adjust To A New Pillow?
It can take five days for you to adjust to a new pillow, but it can be longer than that. You might feel awkward with the pillow’s form and material for a while, and you have to use it constantly to help break it in more. However, you’ll have a quicker time feeling comfortable with the new pillow if you check its qualities when buying one.
For example, remember that the pillow must fill the gap under your neck to avoid pain in this region and also maintain a straight spine while sleeping. This means checking the pillow’s loft and size to ensure good sleeping posture regardless of the position you sleep in. The pillow for a stomach sleeper would be lower than that of a back sleeper, and some might benefit more from curved pillows.
Conclusion
Upon getting a pillow, there are practices that you must do to get the most out of it. This means learning how to break in a new pillow by giving it a beating, kneading, punching, or even placing it in the dryer and exposing it to the sun, depending on the label recommendations for its materials. Doing so will soften the pillow and make it more conforming to your head and neck.
However, the emphasis is necessary on checking your pillow’s materials. For example, some new pillows can benefit from using heating pads and electric blankets. However, some pillow stuffings shouldn’t be exposed to heat, and to break them in, you must use them frequently.