We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you have any linens like blankets, towels, and comforters, animal shelters may be able to use them as well. Always check the care label before you wash, but generally you can follow the below instructions. Remember earlier when we mentioned that feathers are compostable? This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You know who really appreciate your old pillows? Place the stuffing in a compost bin along with raked up leaves, used coffee grounds and vegetable scraps and, in roughly six months to a year, you’ll have a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to use in the garden (as you rest your weary knees on your pillow garden mat). Double check with fabric recycling centers before bringing yours … Memory foam pillows sometimes can harden up, which can then cause the aches and sprains once again. Still, if bed bugs gain access and get inside your pillow, they could harbor on the foam or in the seams of your cover. This article has been viewed 41,166 times. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You can also use just the stuffing to pack fragile objects tightly in moving boxes or storage containers. If you just want to freshen it up, follow these simple steps. Textile recycling facilities use the fibers from unwanted materials and fabrics to create insulation, rags, and carpets. Tear it up to use as garden ties, cut it into squares for use as rags or keep it whole and use it to neatly clean dust from a ceiling fan. Much more comfortable, no? Sprinkle baking soda . Upgrade your old sofa You can bring new life to your old saggy sofa or sofa bed by filling it up with your old memory foam mattress. Place A Pillow Under The Sagging Part Of The Foam Mattress: For a memory foam mattress that … If you have quite a few pillows you’re looking to reinvent, DIY-ing a floor pouf might be your best option. Memory foam works great for stuffing pet beds, and larger memory foam pads can create a padded place for guests on a futon. Recycle or Compost Your Pillows. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Before you start, familiarize yourself with the rules of cleaning memory foam! It's true that animal shelters can sometimes really use some old pillows to use as bedding in their animal crates. Step 3: Transfer your pillows to the dryer along with a few tennis balls to help break up any clumps. Call or email the organization in advance to check if they are accepting pillow donations and then arrange a time to drop the pillows off. I liked the idea of two pillows in one, but after a few nights, I wasn’t really enjoying it. RELATED: Wondering What to Do with Your Old T-Shirts? For a whole new bed, use 2-4 old pillows with pillowcases and sew them together. If your pet has an existing bed that is a bit old and tired, simply remove the cover, give it a wash, and stuff it until it’s firm with stuffing from the old pillows. There are also plenty of do-it-yourself projects for your old memory foam products. Any pillow except a memory foam pillow can be dried in a clothes dryer, just make sure you wr ing out the pillows before drying. They'll have a comfy new bed that also has a familiar scent. You may need to run your pillows through more than once, but they’ll last much longer if dried using this slow and low method rather than blasting them with heat. Milemont Memory Foam Pillow, Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam with Cooling Cover, Bed Pillows for Sleeping, Neck Support for Back, Stomach, Side Sleepers, CertiPUR-US, Standard Size 4.7 out of 5 stars 47 $32.99 $ 32 . Double check with fabric recycling centers before bringing yours in to donate as many organizations won’t take pillows or track down the closest American Textile Recycling Service bin, a service that accepts old pillows of all types. … No matter where you donate your pillows, make sure they're in good, clean condition. No matter where you donate them, make sure your pillows are in a reasonably clean condition before you drop them off. While most usual pillows can flatten a tad with time, the shredded memory foam pillow is less likely to do it because it has so many different pieces of foam in it. So, what’s a gal to do with all those old pillows? In preparation for re-using pillows, it’s a great idea to use a pillow protector so that the polyester stuffing … To help increase the lifespan of your pillows and to reduce waste, consider using pillow protectors. Dust mites do not leave in memory foam. If you are looking for the perfect goodnight sleep, this high quality polyester plus polyurethane made memory foam pillow will surely give you the ultimate comfort. Memory foam is a synthetic material. You can use your old memory foam pillows as an alternative instead of buying kneeling pads. Your cat always steals your pillow in the night anyway, so why not give up the fight and just hand it over? Some pillows are manufactured with a quilted design, which provides a lot of surface area for bed bugs to live on. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The answer is: very unlikely, but possible. Pillows clean and good to go? If you’ve been using the same pillow for more than two years, it’s old. If you have accent pillowsthat are also beginning to show wear, cut out a square piece of memory foam and line the old pillow insert with it. Are you sure you want to remove this item from your Recipe Box? Health Benefits Of Memory Foam Pillows Veterinarian clinics and wildlife rehabilitation centers sometimes need old pillows too. Look at the website if there is one, or call in advance to check if they accept pillows. 99 PharMeDoc Blue Cooling Memory Foam Pillow Ventilated Hole-Punch Memory Foam Bed Pillow Infused with Cooling Gel - Removable Pillow Case 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,545 $19.95 $ 19 . Eve the Pillow – best for any sleeping position. Packaging that is made from old pillows can be reused indefinitely. Your dog or cat! That means a lightweight pillow that’s easy to arrange is a must for me, and compared to other solid memory foam pillows, this one from Leesa is definitely on the lighter side. Sprinkle the pillow with baking soda. They feed on skin cells. By using our site, you agree to our. Cover the pillows with a warm, fleece blanket or an old comforter that can be easily washed. The pillows just need to be dry, and free of oil and grease. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The Sorry Girls has an easy-to-follow tutorial that uses stuffing from three pillows, but you can always adjust the size to fit as much stuffing as you’ve got. You can donate clean and good-quality pillows to animal shelters and charity stores. Pillows can be washed in your washing machine with cool water and fabric soap on a short, delicate cycle. A bean bag can be made more comfortable by filling half of it with pieces of memory foam. To keep your foam pillows fluffed, “Knead your pillow like a loaf of bread once a week to let the shredded foam inside open up.” Or put it in the dryer for 10 minutes on no heat. Make sure that your pillows are in a reasonably clean condition before you donate them. Over time, our pillows accrue dust mites, sweat, and dead skin cells. I tested one pillow that weighed in at a whopping 11 pounds—the Leesa, by comparison, weighs just four pounds. Solid memory foam and latex pillows make especially good packaging, as they can be cut to size. Never created a password? Make sure that they are thoroughly rinsed. For instance, animal shelters usually have a high demand for old pillows to use as bedding in animal crates. Take off the pillowcase and lay the memory foam pillow on a flat surface. Sign up for PureWow to get more daily discoveries sent straight to your inbox. • The memory foam material in general is very delicate and is one of the best pillow for side sleepers. One side of the pillow is memory foam with a cooling gel pad on one side and polyfil on the other for a traditional pillow feel. It was originally developed for … Can Dust Mites Live In Memory Foam Pillows and Mattress. The pros and cons of memory foam mattresses, pillows, and other products. One of the main reasons why memory foam pillows tend to harden up over time is because of the surrounding temperature in which it is kept. Tuft & Needle tuftandneedle.com. As you sleep, you constantly shed skin cells on the mattress and pillow. And if an unexpected storm or flock of birds ruins them, you won’t feel as bad about getting rid of them as you would have with a set of brand-new pillows. Buy a few yards of colorful fabric and fashion yourself some new throw pillows for your living room. This is an excellent option if you have a small amount of memory foam, like a pillow or a mattress cover. Similarly, you can reupholster your old pillows with a more weather resistant fabric to use out on the deck or for garden seating. Take an old pillow and swap its usual soft cotton pillowcase for a trash bag (or some waterproof fabric, if you’re feeling crafty) to slip under your knees while you transform that dirt patch into a vegetable garden all the neighbors will envy. Step 1: Load two pillows into your washing machine (this helps to keep the machine balanced) and a very small amount of detergent, preferably powder. This will breathe new life into pillows without any cost to you. Completely submerge the pillow in the detergent and water solution and squeeze it … Gardening is hard work, especially on your knees. Last Updated: November 4, 2020 The popcorn kernels weigh the draft stopper down so it stays in place. They are perfect for simple DIY crafts like making floor cushions, pet beds, and draft stoppers. Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow. What to Do with Old Pillows (Other Than Toss Them Out), How to Tie-Dye While Quarantined (Without Creating a Murky-Hued Mess), according to the National Sleep Foundation. This will help to eliminate any unpleasant odor. These are inexpensive and stop a lot of moisture from reaching the pillow itself. wikiHow's. Pillows can be used to hold up a blanket fort to hide under or to construct a snowy mountain that needs climbing. Another option is your local homeless shelter. Whatever the life span, something needs to be done with them once they’ve reached the end of their useful life. If you’re looking for a decor upgrade, you can also. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,166 times. Lavender helps you sleep better too. See if the Manufacturer Offers a Recycling Program. If you do this, deep cleaning can be reduced to once in every two months. (Just be sure to wash the pillows first to prevent anyone’s allergies from acting up. You can use whole pillows for filling in the spaces while moving furniture to prevent damage. ... and stuff it until it’s firm with stuffing from the old pillows. If you’re not tossing them, you should clean them first. Unlike most pillows, memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and bacteria. All rights reserved. You can always call around to see if a different store can accept the pillows. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on your pillow. Animal shelters may also accept other linens like blankets, towels, and comforters. Luckily, there are plenty of sustainable options instead of the landfill! You can either take it to a recycling center that accepts memory foam products or try repurposing your mattress topper in one of the following ways: As a custom dog or cat bed that provides support for joints as well as overall comfort (especially appreciated by senior pets) Hi Danielle and peeps, I have been wanting to upcycle my memory foam pillow into a cushion but my dilema is that usually memory foam pillows or cushions have two protectors; one is the pillow case protector usually white and has a zipper for removing and washing, two is the protector that holds the memory foam, looks like a spider web or light mesh type, which is sealed but sometimes … This is a great way to get rid of pillows that aren’t in good condition. References. An easy way to clean your memory foam pillows is this: Every time you change the bedsheets (please do it every week1), use a vacuum to get rid of the accumulated filth and sweat residue. Simple Life Mom has an excellent tutorial to walk you through the process, even if you don’t consider yourself an ace sewer. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The key to keeping a clean pillow is knowing what type of material is used inside. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Solid memory foam and latex pillows make especially good packaging, as they can be cut to size. You can add a drop of lavender essential oil in the baking soda to give it a pleasant scent. You should vacuum your memory foam pillow every time you change your bed sheets, which ideally is once a week. A pillow stuffed with memory foam mattress will provide additional support to your head and neck contributing to a tranquil night’ sleep. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Create one here. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Another use of old memory foam pillows is that they can be used to make floor cushions, especially if you love watching movies while lying on the floor. Make sure your cover letter is impressive. Feel well rested and enjoy the comfortable feel that is definitely satisfying. If your old pillows have seen better days, they can be repurposed at a textile recycling facility. There are a few ways you can repurpose old pillows to get some more use out of them. A memory foam pillow can easily last for up to 36 months – which is a pretty long duration compared to other down or fiberfill pillows that last only for six months or so. We spend one-third of our lives sleeping— and making sure your memory foam pillow stays clean can also improve sleep quality and overall health. How to Clean a Feather, Down or Polyster Pillow (non-memory foam or latex). Just because a pillow can no longer provide adequate support for you head or shoulders while you sleep doesn’t mean it’s not still comfy. Eve believe memory foam is a much better material … Put an end to whistling wind beneath doors with a DIY door draft stopper. Consider spot cleaning your pillow once a month to remove sweat residue, and deep cleaning it every two months. Shocking, we know, but according to the National Sleep Foundation, we should be replacing our pillows every one to two years. Using the traditional stain removers, agitating, rubbing or scrubbing of the material could damage or completely break down the memory foam material. % of people told us that this article helped them. You can also call animal shelters and wild-life refuges to see if they can take them off your hands to repurpose as animal beds. Yes, dust mites do not burrow into the foam. You can also get creative and repurpose old pillows! (This has less to do with your pillow losing support and more to do with all the gross things that seep into it over the course of so many sweaty nights, but we’ll discuss that later.) Cover it with a super-soft old blanket or some of your old T-shirts stitched together and let her bask in the window in style. Add the Pillow. Give them a call or send them an email asking. While you can keep your old mattress, you can also enjoy the comfort and body support of memory foam with these pillows. Your pet will probably enjoy sleeping on your old pillows since they have a familiar smell. Check for any in your area and give them a call or email them to find out if they can use your old pillows. Memory foam body pillows are often a better alternative to investing in a memory foam mattress, which ensures that you will not have to deal with the high price of an entirely new bed. © 2010-2021 Wow Media Products, Inc doing business as PureWow. Call or email the organization in advance to check if they are accepting pillow donations and then arrange a time to drop the pillows off. As for feather or down pillows, that stuffing is compostable, so you can go ahead and empty those feathers out into the nearest composting bin and then dispose of the shell as you would any other old household linen. Make sure they are long enough so that you can fit your body on the cushion. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Dispose-of-Pillows-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Pillows-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Dispose-of-Pillows-Step-1.jpg\/aid10824969-v4-728px-Dispose-of-Pillows-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"