Many people have never heard of a bamboo pillow. This kind of pillow is named for the fibers that are inside the pillowcase rather than the filling inside the pillow. They are expensive, but they are usually high quality and very comfortable. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, and they can have different materials inside.
You can wash a bamboo pillow. First, you should remove the filling, and then you can put it in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. You need to use warm water because either hot or cold will ruin the pillowcase and cause it to fall apart. Then, you should air-dry the pillow. You will want to replace your bamboo pillow when you start to see signs of damage from stains or from rips or tears.
It is important to understand the benefits of bamboo pillows and how to wash them if you plan to get one.
What Is a Bamboo Pillow?
People are always looking for ways to improve their sleep because proper sleep is critical for good health. As a result, manufacturers and specialists are trying to create products that can help. Bamboo pillows are one of these products. They are called bamboo pillows, but they are pillowcases that are made with bamboo fibers and are usually filled with shredded memory foam.
How to Wash a Bamboo Pillow
Follow these steps to wash your bamboo pillow.
Remove the Filling from the Bamboo Pillowcase
The first thing that you need to do is to remove the filling from the bamboo pillow. Normally these pillows are filled with memory foam or shredded memory foam. You can set it aside while the bamboo pillow is washing.
Put the Bamboo Pillow in the Washing Machine
You can place the bamboo pillowcase in the washing machine. It is important to make sure that you use warm water, as hot or cold water can ruin the bamboo pillowcase. In fact, it can cause the pillowcase to fall apart. You should set the machine on the gentle cycle because anything harsh can also ruin the bamboo pillow.
Hand Washing Your Bamboo Pillow
You cannot machine wash the filling in your bamboo pillow. If you have a bamboo pillowcase that can’t be removed, you won’t be able to machine wash it. Some people prefer to hand wash the bamboo pillow because they are so fragile and they literally disintegrate in the wrong conditions.
They need to be washed in warm water, as cold or hot water will ruin the bamboo. In addition, you cannot use bleach and you need to use a mild detergent.
Start by filling a sink or a basin with water that is at room temperature. You can place your pillow, including the filling, into the water and let it soak until it is completely wet all the way through.
Next, you can take a little bit of detergent, and work it into your pillow with your hands. It is important to make sure that it is a gentle laundry detergent and that it doesn’t have any bleach or fabric softener in it.
Once you are sure that the detergent has gone through the entire pillow, you can squeeze it out. Rinse the pillow with warm water, and then squeeze it dry.
How to Dry Your Bamboo Pillow
You should not use the dryer for your bamboo pillow because it can damage the foam filling and cause your bamboo pillow to disintegrate. The best way to dry it is to let it air dry. You should try to wash the pillow in the morning so that you can place the pillow out in the sun to dry.
You can find a flat surface and lay the pillow on a clean towel, or you can use a specially designed pillow hanger to let it dry. It is important to turn the pillow while it is drying so that it dries all the way through. Don’t bring it back inside until it is completely dry, or you may have leftover moisture inside that invites mildew.
How Often Do You Need to Wash Your Bamboo Pillows?
Most people wash their bamboo pillows twice a year. This helps to ensure that the pillow stays fresh and clean, and causes minimal damage. However, if you are experiencing allergies or notice any skin issues, you may want to wash your bamboo pillows every three months.
The Benefits of Using a Bamboo Pillow
The reason why people use bamboo pillows is that it has a thick casing that is soft, and it creates a sleeping surface that provides the support you need with amazing comfort. Bamboo fiber comes from the pulp of bamboo, and it is processed to be made into a substance that has viscosity and can be woven into the material they use to make pillowcases.
One benefit is that bamboo is a sustainable resource, and it grows quickly so it is easy to replace. It is a natural product that is more affordable to manufacture than a lot of synthetic materials.
Another benefit of bamboo is that it has antimicrobial properties. This is significant because when you are sleeping, your body sheds skin cells along with oils, dirt, residue from beauty products, and more. As these substances accumulate on the pillow, they become an environment that is conducive to mites, bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic organisms.
When you use bamboo pillows, the antimicrobial properties will deter the bacteria from sticking to the surface, and the environment won’t be inviting for bacteria.
Bamboo also has moisture-absorbing properties as well, which helps to protect your pillow underneath. It has cooling benefits, and the pillow has excellent airflow. If you suffer from high body temperatures at night that leads to sweating, the bamboo pillow can help cool you down.
How to Keep Your Bamboo Pillow Clean
The key to having your bamboo pillow for a long time is keeping it clean and taking care of it. There are a few different tips that you can use to protect your bamboo pillow.
First, you can cover it with your sheets or other bedding when you aren’t using them. If you have sensitive skin, this will prevent dust and other allergens or dust from settling on them. You can also use a large pillowcase to cover the pillow during the day.
If you decide to store your bamboo pillows, it is important to make sure that they are clean to start out. Once you wash them, you need to make sure that they are completely dry before you pack them away.
You can place them in the original bag that came with them, or you can use vacuum-sealed bags to store them. Make sure that you take them out every six months while they are stored because they need to be aired out and breathe.
Over time, all pillows start to lose their shape. You can fluff your bamboo pillow to revive it. You can use the dryer as long as you choose “no heat” on the delicate or low cycle. It is important for your bamboo pillow to keep its shape so that it provides the support you need.
When Should You Replace Your Bamboo Pillow?
If you use your bamboo pillow every day, it should last between one and two years. You can wash it every three to six months, and you should keep a pillowcase on it and change it weekly.
However, the amount of time it lasts can vary depending on how much dirt and debris accumulates. If you go to bed with wet hair or makeup on, or if you use a lot of skincare products before bed, you can wear your pillow out more quickly.
You can extend the life of your bamboo pillow by taking care of it. You should use a pillowcase and make sure that you change it weekly. Some people think that pillowcases are decorative in nature, but they actually serve an important purpose. They protect your pillow from the oils, dirt, chemicals, and anything else that comes off your body while you are sleeping.
If you go to bed dirty or sweaty at night, it will shorten the life of your pillow. This is true no matter what kind of pillow you have. You should always make sure that the pillow stays dry, and vacuum it if you notice that your room is dusty.
How to Fluff Your Bamboo Pillow
No matter what kind of pillow you have, the filling will become compressed over time. You need to fluff your pillows to help them hold their shape. This holds true for bamboo pillows as well.
Bamboo pillows are often filled with memory foam, either in one piece or shredded. If you don’t fluff it, it can flatten over time. Shredded memory foam is easier to fluff because it has air pockets between the pieces of foam.
You should fluff your bamboo pillows by hand, and you can do this before you go to bed each night. Then do it again in the morning after you get up.
Start by shaking your pillow. This will break up any foam pieces that have gotten compressed together, and it allows them to spread out and create air pockets. Then turn it on the side and punch it a few times. This will break up any difficult pieces that are still stuck.
You can grab the pillow by the two short sides, push the ends together and pull them apart like an accordion. This allows the foam to expand and helps airflow out of the pillow.
Do Bamboo Pillows Get Mites or Other Insects?
Bamboo can get mites, just as any bedding can. However, bamboo does repel insects and mites, as well as other allergens. Bamboo is hypoallergenic by nature, and very few people have allergies to it. Bamboo has natural oils that allow it to wick away moisture from your pillow. This helps to keep your pillow dry, which makes it less inviting for mites, insects, and other tiny organisms.
If you are worried about dust mites, you can spray the pillow with a DIY mite spray. Not only will it keep mites away, but your pillow will smell great. Mix the following ingredients to create a spray that makes your pillows smell fresh and repels mites at the same time:
- Spray bottle
- 2 cups warm water
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops of clove essential oil
You can mist this mixture over your pillow and the rest of your bed each week. Let it dry and your pillow will smell fresh and repel dust mites.
Do Bamboo Pillows Help You Sleep Better?
If you find that you have trouble sleeping and your body can’t hit the right temperature at night, bamboo pillows and bedding can help. Bamboo pillows will prevent your head from getting too hot, so you will not sweat as much. When you get too hot, your body secretes sweat to help cool you down.
When you are sleeping, your body generates heat. Some fabrics naturally trap the heat, which is great if it is particularly cold in your room. However, if your room is warm during the night, your bedding can trap your body heat and cause you to sweat.
Bamboo is breathable, and it can vent out excess heat and moisture. It is known to reduce humidity in the bed by as much as 50%. Your sweat will evaporate rather than settle into the pillowcase. This allows you to sleep more soundly and wake up feeling refreshed.
What Causes the Bamboo Pillow to Smell Bad?
When you first get your bamboo pillow, it might smell bad when you open the package. This happens because of off-gassing. The best way to prepare your pillow before you use it is to air it out. All you need to do is place the pillow in a spot where there is good air circulation.
You can also place your bamboo pillow out in the sun. Once you start using the pillow, air it out once a week to keep it smelling fresh and clean. Once using it, it can smell musty from the buildup of dead skin cells and moisture or beauty products.
Sources
- https://sleep.report/can-you-wash-bamboo-pillows
- https://thebeddingplanet.com/why-use-a-bamboo-pillow
- https://asimplehomeremedy.com/how-to-guides/how-to-wash-a-bamboo-pillow