Due to the increasingly frequent allergies to dust mites and greater attention to hygiene, latex pillows and mattresses are increasingly common in homes.
Like everything we are in contact with for many hours a day. Therefore, it is good that the pillow we sleep on every night maintains good hygienic and morphological conditions to guarantee optimal rest.
Table of Contents
Can they be washed?
If we ask ourselves how to wash latex pillows and take care of our bed components, the first thing to do will be to read the label of our latex pillow. Unfortunately, not all of them are washable: the Memory models of a few years ago may have characteristics such that it is absolutely not recommended to treat them with water and soaps.
If our pillow is not washable, the only precautions to be taken are:
- First, make it take air every day, leaving it for a few hours outdoors if the weather permits; the ideal would be to beat it with a carpet beater to eliminate the heaviest dust and fabric residues present on the surface cushion.
- Protect it with a washable cushion cover, possibly in a sponge, to be removed and washed with a certain frequency, which generally will depend on our needs and specific factors such as sweating and hair dyes, the presence of animals in the house, etc.
The possibility of washing the pillow essentially depends on the material with which it is made; it is good to know that most pillows, including latex ones, are washable and sanitizable.
All you need is a few small specific measures that avoid damaging the material and the cushion’s morphology.
The fastest solution: everything in the washing machine!
Can latex pillows be washed in the washing machine? Well, once we have ascertained that our pillow is washable, we can safely wash it in the washing machine. Let’s see how to do it without making mistakes that could damage it by compromising the quality of rest.
Some advice against proceeding with the washing machine, as the movement could compromise the stability of the latex foam. Other experts ensure that it is possible to put our pillow in the washing machine, following some important precautions:
- Wash the pillows only at 30°C or cold.
- Choose a delicate wash, for example, the one intended for woolen garments.
- Add a glass of white vinegar or a teaspoon of baking soda directly into the basket to sanitize latex foam.
- Set an incisive rinse mode, or proceed to a second rinse: it is important to eliminate any soap residue from the inside.
- Attention to the centrifuge: the high speed of the revolutions can seriously compromise the latex’s consistency but cannot exclude the possibility of eliminating part of the water by proceeding with a centrifuge at a maximum of 1000 revolutions.
What is certain is that the washing machine is a particularly aggressive washing method, to which hand washing will always be preferred, time and desire permitting, if we care about the health of the latex foam on which we sleep.
Hand washing: elbow grease and patience!
If we want to be sure not to spoil our beloved anti-cervical latex pillow, we should arm ourselves with patience and wash it by hand. How?
First of all, you will need a towel, a damp cloth, and a mild, possibly natural detergent such as Marseille soap. Wiping the surface with a dampened, soapy cloth will help clean the outside.
Since drying is essential, we will use the towel (preferably white to avoid staining the fabric that protects the latex) to buffer excess water.
It is clear that to wash a single pillow carefully by hand. However, we would need time and certain self-sacrifice. Furthermore, such washing will not allow the internal part in latex foam to be sanitized, which is why this type of procedure is indicated in the case of precious and expensive pillows.
If we need to eliminate mites and allergens, especially if there are children or animals in the house, it will be a good idea to do a machine wash at least once every six months.
Dry to perfection!
Whatever the preferred washing method, drying is an essential step for our latex pillow’s correct treatment. If excess moisture remains, particularly in the interior, this could contribute to mold and bacteria formation.
After seeing how to wash the latex pillows, let’s move on to the chapter on drying, just as essential for a good operation result.
Whether you have chosen to wash by hand or in the washing machine, it is a good idea to pat the cushion with a towel, preferably white, in an initial drying phase. Then the ideal would be to leave it to dry in the open air for a few hours, taking care to turn it sideways from time to time.
To avoid deformation, must lay out the cushion horizontally. In addition, it is positioned in an area where it will not be directly affected by sunlight to avoid excessive heating of the material.
A pillow like new
We have seen how to wash latex pillows, both by hand and in the washing machine, and what precautions to take for a perfect result.
It is good to know that latex pillows are of many types and materials. The first great care is to read the label well and the instruction booklet.
The ideal wash for a certain type of pillow can even be harmful if applied to another. If we doubt it, hand washing will be preferred, more superficial than a passage in the washing machine.