A memory foam pillow is a pillow that has been designed to absorb your body weight when pressure is applied, and once the pressure has been removed, it slowly retains its initial shape. The pillows are usually implemented using memory foam, and they exist in many different forms. For instance, the traditional memory foams, open-cell memory foam and gel-infused memory foam.
Gel-infused memory foam brings about better breathability for the user, and the open cell memory foam is soft therefore increasing the user’s comfortability.
Lastly, traditional foam memory was implemented, making the users feel hot when using them. Despite their functioning, memory foam pillows can become too hard hence tricky to use. Therefore, look for ways of making your memory foam pillow soft and easy to use.
How to use memory foam pillows?
Most memory foam pillows are designed to be used either on the side or the back. Place the memory foam pillow either on the side or back of the head. Ensure that you have placed the pillow correctly in the chosen position. Slowly roll your head over the pillow and try having some sleep.
Reasons why memory foam pillows become hard
Temperature changes in your place can result in foam memory pillows becoming hard. When it is cold, the memory foam pillows become hard and stiff, unlike when in a warm environment.
The pressure encountered after placing your head on the pillow stiffens and only becomes soft after the pressure experienced has been released. Moreover, when used to other soft pillows, using a memory foam pillow may make you think that the pillow is too hard.
Signs of the memory foam pillow becoming too hard to include; neck, shoulder, and head pains when waking up and increased discomfort when sleeping.
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Methods of how to make memory foam pillow-soft
- Try applying pressure on the memory foam pillow before sleeping
Apply some pressure on the pillow to ease the pillow stiffness before rolling your head on the pillow when sleeping. Ensure you squeeze the pillow for around 3 to 5 minutes and put your head on the pillow quickly before it regains its stiffness.
- Put the memory foam pillow at a warmer temperature
Your memory foam pillow becomes stiff during the cold season or cold environment, causing difficulties in sleeping or neck pains.
Place your memory foam pillow in a warm place to break all stiffness making it suitable for sleeping. Furthermore, you can increase your room temperature using a thermostat to release pressure and break down the pillow stiffness.
If you are using a thermostat to increase your room temperature, ensure that you carry out the activity before sleeping and not while sleeping. Sleeping with the increased temperature distracts your sleep making you develop sleepless nights.
- Sleep regularly on the memory foam pillow and leave it to soften
Regular use of the memory foam pillow increases softness each day. The more you use the pillow, the softer it becomes. Therefore, in the attempt to make your pillow smooth, ensure you use it regularly, and with time, you will be getting the best and adequate sleep without any discomfort.
- Place the memory foam pillow in the laundry machine
Ensure you put your pillow in the washing machine once in a while because the machine can try releasing pressure in the pillow by breaking down some pillow stiffness. Washing the memory foam pillows in the washing machine enables the pillow to regain its original shape that is soft after the pressure in the pillow has been released.
Ensure you use your washing machine appropriately to avoid damaging the pillow and only use the pillows method that has instructions concerning washing them on the laundry machine. Pillows that are not cleaned by the device can become stiffer if washed by the washing machine.
- Use a dryer to dry your pillow completely
You can also break down the stiffness if you dry the pillows in the dryer after placing your pillow inside.
The dryer machine allows you to regulate the amount of heat used by laundries that are being dried. Increasing dryer heat to warm can break down the stiffness in the pillow. Further, the initial shape of the pillow is regained. Place your pillow inside the dryer and leave it for some time, approximately 15 minutes. Ensure that you have used medium heat to avoid damaging the pillow.
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How long the memory foam pillow takes to soften
After trying all methods of softening your memory foam pillow, your pillow will take time, depending on how you used it. For instance, if you have chosen to sleep on the pillow regularly, it will take approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
If you have used a dryer or a washing machine, it will take a maximum of thirty minutes to soften. Therefore, the time the pillow takes to soften varies from one method to another. Ensure that you use the appropriate method depending on how fast you need to soften your pillow.
Cleaning a memory foam pillow
Most pillows are highly recommended not to be washed using the washing machine because the high temperatures can destroy the pillow and even the foam inside the pillow. When cleaning the pillow, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions using appropriate detergent and using recommended water temperature.
Firstly, remove the pillow from the pillowcase. Wash the pillowcase thoroughly to get rid of all stains if present. Leave the pillowcase to dry thoroughly in the sun.
Secondly, wash the pillow slowly without using the detergent that the manufacturer recommends.
Try getting rid of moisture inside the pillow and leave it to dry completely. Ensure you dry the pillow in an airy place away from hot or direct sunlight because direct sunlight can damage the pillow foam.
After drying, place the pillow in the pillowcase and store it in a warmer place until you want to use it. Keeping it in a warm place breaks down the stiffness leaving the pillow soft.
Advantages and disadvantages of the memory foam pillow
Memory foam pillows have many advantages, especially for sleepers. For instance, the pillows prevent snoring. Sleeping on the pillow relaxes your head enabling one to breathe without any difficulties. Secondly, the pillows relieve whiplash or any pain on your shoulder and head.
Moreover, the pillows keep your spine aligned and relaxed while sleeping. Lastly, the pillows prevent continuous bed movements when one is sleeping. Despite the pillows having advantages, they also have cons.
For instance, hard pillows can result in neck, head, and shoulder pains. Secondly, the pillow foam contains some chemicals that can affect your health once breathed.
Pillows are affected by climate changes. This requires purchasing a thermostat to help the user control the room temperature preventing the pillow foam from being damaged. Lastly, the pillows retain all heat and sweat hence causing discomfort to the sleepers.
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Frequently asked questions:
- What if my pillow never softens?
If you have tried all methods of softening your memory foam pillow but still have no positive results, first check if you were following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Secondly, it is a sign that your pillow’s condition is terrible beyond repair and therefore, a new replacement is required.
Conclusion
Memory foam pillows help sleepers to have a comfortable sleep, but if the pillows are complex, they can cause sleeplessness. The above information can guide you on how to deal with hard pillows using the appropriate methods. Above all, ensure that you strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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