Caring for orthopedic pillows: cleaning, washing, airing

An orthopedic pillow is a comfortable and, at times, indispensable item for sleeping, which has a lot of advantages. With it, you will forget about headaches, neck muscle tension and improve the overall quality of sleep, which will have a positive effect on your health. Modern manufacturers do not stop there and continue to improve the composition and shape of orthopedic products. At the same time, for many people who have already appreciated all the advantages of such pillows, it remains unclear how to properly care for them.

In this article we will cover:

• wash orthopedic pillows or dry clean;
• in what cases can you wash a pillow and in what cases can you not;
• how to wash an orthopedic pillow by hand or machine;
• what the washing parameters depend on;
• how to dry items correctly. And also what else is important to know so that the pillow serves you for a long time.

Is it possible to wash an orthopedic pillow?

An orthopedic pillow is a well-thought-out design that is easy to spoil. Before deciding to wash an item, it is important to carefully read the label. If the label has not been preserved, remember that the permissibility of washing depends on the filler:

Below in the article we will talk in detail about the types of fillers and give recommendations for cleaning them.

Preparation

So, where to start preparing to wash such a product?

First you need to determine the type of orthopedic pillow. This is indicated by the pillow filling. There are two types:

1. Containing artificial filler. Here you can use a washing machine with manual mode turned on, as well as detergent. You should not choose powder or liquid laundry detergent with a strong smell to avoid possible headaches due to this.
2. Pillows with natural performer. For this type, hand washing is recommended using regular soap and water.

How to understand when it’s time to clean or wash a pillow

Even though you regularly change your pillowcases, your pillows still need to be cleaned. Sweat, sebum, face cream, cosmetics and other pollutants will inevitably penetrate through the pillowcase into the cover, and then into the filling.

To keep your pillow clean, air it several times a month, change pillowcases as often as possible, and promptly remove stains and other local dirt using a dry or wet brush. Not all orthopedic pillows can be washed; some of them can only withstand dry cleaning. If your filler tolerates washing well, we recommend doing this no more than twice a year. With more frequent washing, the pillow will quickly become unusable and lose its orthopedic properties.

How to wash a product for a newborn?

Washing an orthopedic pillow for newborns, as well as for adults, depends on the filler material. It is worth focusing on the recommendations developed for washing pillows with such filling.

It is important to note that for infants it is better to use orthopedic pillows that are washable. Dry cleaning of products may subsequently provoke an allergic reaction in the child.

If you do the washing yourself, you must make every effort to rinse thoroughly and remove the detergent. It is better to wash with gel for washing children's clothes. This minimizes the risk of allergies.

Also learn how to wash crib bumpers in a washing machine and by hand.

Have you already washed your orthopedic pillow?

Not really

Hand wash orthopedic pillows

If the filling of your orthopedic pillow is washable and you have chosen the manual method, follow the following sequence of actions:

1. Remove the pillowcase and outer cover, if present;
2. Dilute a neutral-smelling cleaning product in warm water - no higher than 40 degrees;
3. Wash the pillow with your hands or a brush, without intense rubbing;
4. When rinsing, change the water several times to remove the detergent completely;
5. To spin, wrap the pillow in a terry towel and gently press on all sides to remove water.

Important!

• Do not soak the pillow. The less time she spends in the water, the better;
• Use only liquid detergent;
• Wash in a large container that can fit completely. For example, in the bathroom.

Is it possible to wash an orthopedic pillow in a washing machine?

Modern washing machines are equipped with delicate and manual washing modes, therefore, if an orthopedic pillow is allowed to be washed, this can be done in a machine, provided that the size of the drum allows you to put the pillow there without severe creasing.

Important!

Do not use the spin cycle even at low speeds. To remove moisture after washing, it is recommended to wrap the pillow in a towel and gently wring it out without twisting it.

Washing orthopedic pillows in a machine has a number of features:

• If there are stains or stains on the surface, wash them by hand before the main wash;
• Do not use bleaches, fabric softeners or fabric softeners;
• Do not place more than one pillow in the machine drum.

Proper drying

Do not twist the product. Wrap in a towel to blot up moisture and dry without heating. At home, this is easiest to do on a horizontal surface on the balcony or under the air flow from a fan. Excess water is blotted with a towel.

This is interesting: to determine whether the pillow needs to be changed, just fold it in half. If straightening does not occur, it means that the period of operation with the primary properties of the filler has exhausted itself.

How to wash a pillow depending on the filling

Any pillow consists of two parts: a cover and a filling. When choosing a cleaning method, it is important to focus specifically on the filler. Carefully study the product label and our article, because each material requires special care.

Latex pillows

Latex pillows are divided into 2 types:

1. 100% natural latex;
2. Latex mixed with synthetic substances.

Natural latex is an expensive natural filler that has no analogues. Latex combines softness and elasticity, ideally follows the curves of the human body and provides proper support for the head and neck during sleep. Despite the fact that latex almost does not absorb moisture, it is not recommended to wash such pillows. Small stains can be removed with a sponge or a special cloth. If the stains are extensive, hand washing in warm water is allowed.

Important!

Do not use powder - it will ruin the product. For hand washing, only liquid detergents can be used.

The best way to care for a latex pillow is to regularly air it, replace pillowcases, wash the cover, and dry clean the filling itself.

A pillow made of mixed or unnatural latex, on the contrary, absorbs water like a sponge. It is also not recommended to wash it unless absolutely necessary. It is optimal to carry out dry chemical cleaning no more than once every six months.

Pillows with buckwheat husk

Buckwheat husk has excellent orthopedic properties and an anti-stress effect. The filler provides micro-massage to the scalp and neck, which relieves headaches and causes deep muscle relaxation. In addition, buckwheat is absolutely hypoallergenic and safe for health.

Important!

The filler can only be cleaned dry; getting the buckwheat wet will lead to the formation of lumps and loss of orthopedic properties.

To clean the pillow, it must be regularly ventilated and vacuumed 1-2 times a month. It is advisable to remove the filler from the cover 1-2 times a year and sift it, and wash the cover.

Synthetic pillows

Orthopedic pillows made of polyurethane foam, polyester or foam rubber can be washed in a machine or by hand. If you choose machine wash, the cycle should be as gentle and short as possible. Before washing, be sure to read the manufacturer's information on the product label. It will indicate the possible temperature for washing and other parameters. If the label is not preserved, select the hand wash mode in cool water without spinning.

Important!

Dry cleaning of such products is prohibited.

Memory foam pillows

Memory foam pillows are expensive products made using the most modern technologies. The filler includes viscoelastic polyurethane foam, silicone, memory foam inserts and elastic foam, which create the claimed shape memory effect. Often such pillows are supplemented with a special gel with a cooling effect. The pillow takes the shape of the body under the influence of its weight and temperature, without the effect of back pressure, which eliminates any muscle tension.

Important!

A memory foam pillow should not be washed, because getting wet will destroy the structure of the porous fiber.

Due to its porous structure, the pillow allows air to pass through and is ventilated. As care, wiping with a damp sponge without using cleaning agents and dry cleaning is allowed. The removable cover can be washed by hand or in a washing machine (depending on the material from which it is made).

Pillows with special components

Modern manufacturers add additional elements to orthopedic pillows that have relaxing and healing effects. These elements include:

• biomagnets and magnetic plates that have a beneficial effect on our brain during sleep;
• sachets with herbal infusions, mint, rose petals for even deeper relaxation and quicker sleep;
• stones with healing effects: germanium, tourmaline, mai fan;
• natural pearls that have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.

Important!

Such products cannot be washed. Only dry cleaning is allowed.

An exception is pillows with aromatic sachets - they can be removed and then washed using one of the recommended methods, depending on the filling.

How to properly dry orthopedic pillows

After you have washed the product, it is important to dry it properly. To do this, follow these simple tips:

• Regardless of the washing method, do not wring out the pillow. To remove excess moisture, wrap the pillow in a towel and gently press on it from all sides. This way, the water will be absorbed into the towel and the pillow will not become deformed.
• Dry outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• To dry, place the pillow on a flat, horizontal surface.
• Dry away from radiators and direct sunlight. Excessive heat may damage the product.
• Turn the pillow over every few hours to ensure even drying.

Proper care

An orthopedic pillow will last a long time if you follow simple operating rules.

Care instructions:

1. After sleep, the pillow is left on the surface of the bed, without covering it with a blanket or blanket. Fillers need ventilation and air access.

2. 
   The item is aired weekly on the balcony, laid out on a flat surface.

3. The pillow is vacuumed once a month.
4. To maintain the structure, the filler should not be shaken, whipped, or heavy or sharp objects placed on it.
5. It is unacceptable to trample and jump on the filler.

Violation of these recommendations leads to damage to the product and loss of its properties.

Tips for caring for orthopedic pillows

The most important and valuable property of an orthopedic pillow is its ability to provide a physiologically correct position of the cervical and shoulder spine, as well as the head during sleep. Excessive washing and improper handling of the product leads to the loss of these properties. That is why it is important not only to wash the pillow correctly, but also to care for it during use.

• Air your pillow regularly and do not put it in a storage box immediately after waking up so that it has time to dry.
• Sleep on different sides of the pillow to avoid deformation.
• If small stains appear, treat them immediately before the dirt gets inside.
• Do not iron the orthopedic pillow.
• Handle the pillow with care - do not throw it, do not crush it, do not place heavy objects on it, do not knock dust out of it or fluff it up.

We hope that our article helped you figure out how to wash pillows, in what cases to wash a pillow, and in what cases not. Your orthopedic products will last you much longer if you follow these simple rules.

What absolutely cannot be done?

Thanks to new generation fillers, orthopedic pillows have a “memory” function and take the shape of the human body. To ensure that the pillow does not lose this property, it is strictly forbidden to use it for other purposes.

In addition, each orthopedic pillow, like a mattress, has weight restrictions, so placing heavy objects on the pillows is not recommended. As a rule, such operating features are specified in the annotation for the product.

Attention! Regardless of the filling of the orthopedic pillow, it is strictly forbidden to jump on it or otherwise mechanically influence it. Jumping, sudden falls and heavy weights destroy the evenly distributed structure of the filler, so the orthopedic pillow must be handled very carefully.

There are also restrictions on washing items. It depends on the filling of the pillows. Universal rules for all products are the rules for storing pillows. If you need to put the pillow in the closet for some time, under no circumstances should you do this without packing it. So, it will quickly become dirty.

Dust that settles on the pillow will penetrate inside and subsequently can cause allergies or even the formation of bed mites. The pillow should also not be covered with a blanket or blanket after sleep, as the ventilation properties are impaired.

It is recommended to store orthopedic pillows in covers made of loose fabrics, the texture of which allows air to freely penetrate into the cover and circulate inside it. It is not advisable to use plastic bags for storage, as they interfere with natural ventilation. High humidity, above 65%, is also detrimental to orthopedic pillows.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to shake or fluff the pillows vigorously - this will also damage the uniform structure of the filling.

4 simple ways to iron a sheet with an elastic band are presented in this article.