Good sleep holds the cue to a better body and mind. And to aid you in a deep, satisfying slumber, a latex pillow goes a long way. Enhanced comfort levels, lower allergens, great support for the spine, a latex pillow packs a wide range of benefits. Undeniably, a natural latex pillow is a worthy investment to consider and demands care and maintenance for its longevity.This post discusses a handful of expert tips that will help protect your natural latex pillow, retain its shape, keep it odor-free, and ensure a good night’s sleep every day.Read on!
Use A Pillow Cover
When using a latex pillow, you must use a protective cover that lies right between the pillowcase and the actual pillow. This helps keep away stains and moisture from accumulating right into the latex foam. Luckily, a store-bought natural latex pillow has a built-in pillowcase that you can wash and reuse.
Using Baking Soda For Cleaning
You thought baking soda was just limited to cakes and cookies? Well, think again!Baking soda is a wonderful, multi-use compound and finds its use in cleaning a natural latex pillow as well.Quite inevitably, debris, dandruff, dead skin cells, and dust are prone to leave your latex pillow, emitting a foul smell. However, you can take care of things in a jiffy with a bit of baking soda.Here’s how to go about cleaning using baking soda:
- Remove the pillow cover and set the foam aside. Now, sprinkle some baking soda and wait for 30 minutes.
- Start gently brushing off the baking soda, or use a vacuum to clean upholstery items.
- In case the pillow cover has a foul odor, you should clean the same using baking soda in the same way.
Wash Your Pillowcase Once a Week
Similar to how you wash your shirt or towel every week, your pillow covers, too, need a weekly wash. When sleeping on a pillowcase, we tend to leave behind hair, dead skin, and oil secretions from our bodies. Some people also unknowingly drool over the pillowcase while at sleep, which contains saliva, leading to stains. A weekly washing routine for pillowcases used with your natural latex pillow is an excellent way to keep things clean, prolong comfortable sleeping, and keep up the fabric quality.
Always Air-Dry Your Natural Latex Pillow
Besides cleaning the pillowcase or using baking soda to do away with the dirt and grime, it is also important to air dry your natural latex pillow. This is chiefly done to remove any accumulated moisture and sweat which can lead to unwanted smelling and sogging in areas.It’s pretty simple. Take the latex pillow out of the case and keep it in an airy place. While doing so, remember that you need to keep it away from direct sunlight.Alternatively, you can use something as a prop to balance the pillow so that the airflow comes from all sides.
Spot Cleaning In Case Of Mishaps
How many times did you accidentally end up spilling the tomato ketchup on your pillows? Well, you’re not alone!We all make mistakes, and accidents can happen for no reason whatsoever. In such scenarios, spot cleaning is seemingly the best choice.Here’s how to go about spot-cleaning a natural latex pillow:
- Start with a clean cloth and dip it in plain water.
- Rinse the extra water so that the cloth is damp, not dripping wet.
- Now, start blotting the affected area by maintaining a flow of direction from outside to the center of the stain.
- If the stain isn’t too deep, you should be able to lighten it up with a few blots.
- Now, take a clean, dry cloth and press on the stain to soak up as much moisture as possible, and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours.
- You can also use baking soda to initiate a follow-up cleaning.
Always Wick Away Excess Moisture
When cleaning your natural latex pillow, never submerge the foam in the water, as too much moisture is detrimental. Also, a latex pillow takes a long time to dry as it has a good number of micro holes throughout.While on the other hand, always make it a point to air dry the latex as it’s hugely inflammable. Ensure the pillowcase is not put on before the pillow gets dried, as it could lead to bacteria breeding.In case your pillowcase starts to smell, it is recommended to use an upholstery brush for cleaning.
Simple Care Instructions That You Shouldn’t Ignore
A natural latex pillow is highly sensitive. Hence, one must read the washing instructions on the product before attempting to clean it. The following are some of the standard guidelines to keep in mind:
- Refrain from cleaning the latex foam using a washing machine.
- Never scrunch or squeeze the latex material hard, as it can damage it from within.
- Never use a mechanical dryer to dry the latex foam after washing. Only let it dry in a shaded area and away from sunlight.
A latex pillow is undoubtedly one of the best sleeping aids money can buy. Thus, you should follow the above tips to keep it in good shape and use it for years.
