Can You Wash Bamboo Pillows – A Step By Step Guide

What are even bamboo pillows? The majority of people refer to bamboo pillows as just pillows, but yes, they do exist, and people have to wash them. But, what are really bamboo pillows, and is there a particular way we should all be washing them?

To answer these intriguing questions, we’ve decided to take a quick look at these comfy little bamboo pillows and provide you with a step by step guide on how to keep them clean. So, without further ado, let’s get washing!

What Is Exactly A Bamboo Pillow?

Bamboo pillows are actually memory foam pillows that have bamboo pillowcases instead of, for example, polyester or cotton pillowcases. These pillows are often deemed high-quality, hence their higher price tag.

Compared to other pillows, the bamboo ones can cost even double the price of a pillow with a different type of pillowcase. However, bamboo pillows do have their high price justified with a number of benefits, for example;

• Bamboo pillows are exceptional for all types of sleeping positions.
• They provide proper head, shoulder, and neck support and promote spinal alignment during sleep.
• They can feature different shapes, which makes them more personalized and targeted.
• They can feature different types of filling (memory foam or shredded memory foam).
• Bamboo pillows are incredibly comfortable and soft to touch.
• You can pair your bamboo pillows with bamboo mattress toppers and other bamboo bedding, for the ultimate high-quality sleeping experience.
• Bamboo pillowcases are hypoallergenic and breathable, which makes them perfect for hot sleepers.

Note: Bamboo pillows are NOT perfect, of course. We wouldn’t be here if they were. They can be hard to wash, for example, because the majority of them require to be hand washed (more on that in the following paragraphs).

Bamboo pillows can also have some weird odors going on and can be easily ruined with too hot or too cold water. So, bear that in mind if you’re thinking of buying a bamboo pillow.

So, How Do You Wash Bamboo Pillows? – A Step By Step Guide

Step no. 1 – Washing The Pillowcases

The first step is pretty straightforward. Make sure to remove the bamboo pillowcase off the pillows. Then, you need to machine wash them, on a gentle cycle, using warm water. Hot or cold water will ruin the bamboo pillowcases instantly; they will simply fall apart and you’ll be left with the remainings of what your bamboo pillowcases used to be. So, only wash the cases on gentle, with lukewarm, or warm water.

Step no. 2 – Drying The Pillowcases

After you’ve washed the bamboo covers, we recommend you don’t use your dryer. Instead, leave the pillowcases to airdry, preferably on a drying rack. This process will allow the fabric to dry without suffering any damage from hot air. You can simply hand the pillowcases onto the drying rack, and leave them in the sun to completely dry.

Step no.3 – Washing The Pillow

Now, get your hands ready, because it is time for some hand washing action. First of all, in a shut sink or a basket, add some lukewarm or warm water (90-110 degrees F) and about 3 tablespoons of your mildest, most gentle detergent.

Then, add the pillows, and start squeezing the water and the detergent into the pillows. Repeat this process for a few minutes, until the whole pillow is soaked into the water and the detergent.

Step no. 4 (Optional) – Soaking The Pillow

Here’s the deal; some people leave their memory foam pillows to soak in the detergent water, while some recommend against such a practice. While we believe soaking will make it harder for the pillow to dry later, it may also be helpful in terms of removing the dirt thoroughly.

So, we’ll leave this step optional and up to you; if you feel like your pillows need some thorough washing, then feel free to soak them. However, be aware that it will take them twice as long to dry out as well, and too much detergent could ruin the memory foam.

Step no. 5 – Rinsing The Pillow

After the pillow has marinated in the detergent, it is time to rinse it out. For this step, make sure to use clean, warm water. Rinse the pillow out until no detergent is left. If you don’t rinse the pillow properly, the leftover detergent could ruin the memory foam filling. So, make sure to rinse several times, and each time try to use clean warm water.

Step no. 6 – Drying

Alongside the drying pillowcases, make sure to place your freshly washed pillows on the drying rack as well. We recommend you use a pillow drying hanger (which you can get on Amazon if you don’t have one) and leave to dry in the sunlight if possible. Check if the pillow is dry, and try not to leave it in the sunlight too long, since this too could ruin the memory foam.

If there’s no sun, and you don’t have a drying rack, you can dry the pillow inside. Place it somewhere dry, and flip it now and then so that both sides dry out evenly.

Again, wait for the pillow to completely dry out, to prevent moisture buildup. This could result in mold and mildew, and we don’t want that to happen.

Bamboo Pillow Washing and Maintenance: FAQs

How Often Should I Wash My Bamboo Pillows?

You can wash your high-quality bamboo pillows twice a year; that should be optimal to keep them fresh and clean. However, if you’re dealing with sensitive and acne-prone skin, sleeping on a dirty pillow can aggravate the skin and skin conditions. In such a case, we recommend you wash the pillows every 3 months, for example. If the pillows are visibly dry, then wash them right away, disregarding the recommended timeframe.

How Should I Take Care Of Bamboo Pillows?

Apart from washing, there are some tips and tricks you can use to keep the pillows clean and long-lasting, for example;

• If you don’t want dust and dirt accumulating on your bamboo pillows, we recommend you cover them with your sheets, blanket, or whatever bedding you’re using. This will keep them clean throughout the day, which is perfect for people with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
• If you want to store your bamboo pillows away, make sure to wash them first and let them dry out completely. Then, you can place them in the original package bag (which should also be clean), or vacuum them in vacuum-sealed bags. Try to unpack the pillows at least every 6 months, so that they can air out and ‘breathe’ a little bit.
• If your bamboo pillow is losing its shape and fluff, you can easily re-fluff it. Simply place it in a dryer and let it tumble (on low or delicate cycle) for a few minutes. This won’t hurt the memory foam and will re-fluff your beloved pillow in no time. You can even place a few tennis balls if you’re drying only one pillow; this will work best to help the pillow re-fluff and keep the shape.
• When washing the bamboo pillows, make sure to use a detergent that is mild, but also not containing bleach. Even a small amount of bleach can ruin the casing and the memory foam.

When Should I Get A New Bamboo Pillow?

Since you can’t keep washing your bamboo pillows forever, at one point you’ll have to purchase new ones. If you start seeing visible damage on the pillow or the pillowcase itself, then it is time to replace everything.

But, make sure to check if only the pillowcase is damaged; in such case, you only need to replace the pillowcase and not the pillow. This will save you some money until you decide to change the actual pillow as well.

You should change the pillow when it loses its shape completely, becomes uncomfortable and neck-pain causing, and overall start showing signs of damage.

We Recommend: 5 Best Bamboo Pillow in 2021 (and 4 Drawbacks You Should Know)

Final Thoughts

Even though bamboo pillows are sensitive to take care of and maintain, it is actually pretty easy to wash them and keep them clean. All you have to bear in mind is the water temperature, the detergent you’re using, and how you dry the pillowcase and the pillows.

Other than that, bamboo pillows aren’t much of a fuss as people tend to believe. We hope our little step-by-step guide was helpful, and that you now have a pair of clean bamboo pillows again.