You can quickly learn how to clean latex pillow using three steps. Remember that pillows differ in materials, and latex itself may require various cleaning requirements. Make sure to follow this guide to keep your latex pillows in their best condition.
Our pillows are crucial to getting a night of healthy and relaxing sleep. However, we need to care for them accordingly to help them last longer. More so, our pillows will only do their job well if they are clean and damage-free.
Step By Step Guide On Cleaning Latex Pillows
Step #1. Preparation
Before anything else, you want to prepare all the materials you’ll need to clean a latex pillow. If you have experienced cleaning memory foam pillows, you’ll notice similarities with how you’ll clean latex foam pillows. For example, you need to prepare your washing solution using a gentle detergent and lukewarm water.
However, the emphasis is necessary on washing a latex pillow only when it needs a deep cleaning. Remember that most foam materials will lose their structure due to constant washing, so use a pillow cover that you can wash more often instead. Otherwise, prepare the cleaning solution according to the pillow manufacturer’s instructions and the detergent’s dilution recommendation.
Step #2. Washing and rinsing
Remember not to dry clean your latex pillow or use a washer to clean it because it can damage the material. A safer way to keep it clean is by using a vacuum now and then to get rid of dirt and debris. You can also use a mild detergent to spot clean specific areas if needed.
What if you need to deep clean the latex pillow? Submerge it in the cleaning solution you made earlier and squeeze the pillow to ensure that the foam absorbs the solution. After you have removed the stains and dirt, you want to drain the foam thoroughly.
You want to squeeze the pillow in a container with clean water and repeat the process until you have removed all the soap. Never be tempted to wring your foam because it can get damaged. It would be best to familiarize yourself with the different types of latex foam beforehand.
Step #3. Drying
After rinsing, you can blot the pillow with a clean cloth to remove any residual soap. Then, dry the pillow thoroughly to prevent fungal growth. Don’t be tempted to use a dryer on your latex pillow because the heat can cause it to crumble.
Instead, place the pillow somewhere well-ventilated and dry for up to 24 hours or add a fan in the room to hasten the drying process. This is why it’s best to only wash your latex pillow on a warm and windy day to ensure that it will dry. Just be mindful that the pillow is out of direct sunlight or any heat source.
How To Keep Latex Pillow Clean
As mentioned earlier, washing latex pillows is only necessary for deep cleaning. You can still keep your pillow clean by targeting specific areas that need stain removal before freshening it up. To do so, dip a cloth in a mixture of lukewarm water and dishwashing liquid.
Blot the stain out of your pillow starting from the outside towards the center of the spill. You should quickly remove the stain without rubbing too harshly on the pillow. To freshen the pillow, you can cover it in baking soda by sprinkling it on the surface and let it rest for an hour.
Vacuum the pillow to remove any residual dirt and lingering allergens such as hair and dust mites. The baking soda should help eliminate allergens and dirt, but it should also absorb odor from sweat and oils accumulated on the pillow. A yearly washing of latex pillow should suffice depending on usage, but you can maintain hygiene using a pillow cover to wash monthly or more often.
What Is A Latex Pillow?
A latex pillow uses latex foam that can either be natural or synthetic. The former came from rubber trees, while the latter uses other man-made materials. Compared to memory foam pillows, you’ll notice that latex has more bounce and retains its shape quicker upon lying down.
There are also Talalay and Dunlop latex, where Talalay is airy and lightweight, and Dunlop is dense and heavy. You must know what type of foam your pillow uses to understand how to care for it and extend its lifespan and form properly. More so, you want to choose a pillow material that will suit your needs and requirements to have a night of quality sleep.
Conclusion
Memory foam is not the only material you can choose for your pillow because latex is another conforming option. But to enjoy its characteristics, you must learn how to clean latex pillow properly. For starters, you don’t need to wash it often unless the pillow needs a deep cleaning.
Submerge and squeeze the foam in soapy water and rinse until you have removed the suds thoroughly. Let the pillow dry somewhere ventilated but out of direct heat and sunlight. You don’t have to use a machine or dryer as these can damage the latex pillow.
It’s also best to have a pillow cover to wash more often to maintain proper hygiene. And if there are noticeable stains or you need to freshen your pillow, you can blot them with cloth dipped in a mix of dishwashing soap and water. Then, sprinkle baking soda and vacuum the pillow to eliminate the odor and other lingering allergens.