You have plenty of choices of pillows out there, and though stores always seem to advertise high thread count Egyptian cotton, you may have gotten adventurous with your pillow use recently and taken up on the trend of using bamboo pillows. Bamboo linens for your bed is not a new or even rare concept. The bamboo strands make for excellent linens in a bed that stay cool throughout the night and hold up better than traditional cotton linens do. But a common question is, why do bamboo pillows smell? given to any pillow that utilizes a bamboo outer case. The actual pillow itself, is generally a form of memory foam or shredded foam material. Many bamboo pillow cases are hypoallergenic for the sensitive user prone to allergies and the fibers are naturally resistant to bacteria and mold, which keeps the pillow safe and comfortable for use all throughout the night and several years after. Some people have claimed this over the years while using their bamboo pillows, but it actually has less to do with the bamboo case itself, and a lot more to do with the making of the pillow underneath.
The fact of the matter is, memory foam products have a tendency to develop a unique odor and, as most, if not all, bamboo pillows utilize memory foam in some way, they too fall victim to the possibility of memory foam smell. Or, more importantly, why does memory foam smell? Memory foam is made of polyurethane mixed with other chemicals, so this can result in an odor being given off simply from the makeup of the item, which starts at the manufacturing level. For the most part, these chemicals are benign and even organic substances. In fact, the smell does not even last all that long thanks to a process called “gassing off”, which will eventually wear off. This gassing off period could last a few days or even a week. But that’s a rough estimate and pretty subjective. The aeration of the room is a factor in this. In a room that’s got a solid breeze and access to open windows, it may only take 48 hours for the smell to wear off. However, in places of high humidity, it may be harder for the gasses to dissipate in the thick air, and the smell might linger in the moist furnishing in the room.
The other factor here is your own sensitivity. You might not notice the smell after a day or two during the gassing off period, but you might also be highly sensitive and notice it lingering long after you air out the pillow. It depends on your personal sensitivity, though most customers report only a few days to get the smell out with a little aeration. Be warned, however, not all of this is completely safe. Memory foam mattresses and pillows have more chemicals in their overall compound than other substances to help create the unique feel and responsiveness of them. And not all of them can be tracked. So do research on the company and manufacturer before you buy your memory foam bamboo pillow to make sure it’s safe to you and your personal allergies. Ultimately, bamboo pillows can give off an odor, and the best way to deal with this is to do your research. The odor doesn’t often last and, in most cases, is harmless (if a little inconvenient). So do research, give the pillow proper aeration, and get a great night’s sleep on your new bamboo pillow!
If you have something to add to answer the question, why do bamboo pillows smell, feel free to leave a comment below.Edit ArticleHow to Clean a Mattress Eight Methods:Regular CleaningUnidentified Mattress StainsBlood StainsCigarette Odor RemovalMold and Mildew RemovalUrine Stains and OdorAnother Urine Stain/Odor RemoverRemoving Stains Caused By Colored DrinksCommunity Q&A Does your mattress need to be cleaned? There are several techniques which can be used to remove stains and keep your mattress fresh. Try using an upholstery cleaner. Since they are made for surfaces that touch your skin (e.g. your couch), it should work unless you are extremely sensitive to cleaners in general. It also has the advantage of removing dust mites[1] and their refuse. Spray it with a citrus type cleaner and let it set for about five minutes. Rinse with cold water (hot cooks the proteins). Rub in meat tenderizer from the pantry which removes the proteins. Rinse and follow up as per rust removal to remove the iron found in the blood.
You can also add in salt to plain water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. This is particularly effective in removing fresh blood stains. Create a baking soda solution. Using the same processes as above, apply it to the entire mattress, one section at a time. Launder[2] your linens frequently. If you smoke, you should do this even more often than you would on an ordinary basis. This will help keep the odor from being so pervasive. Spray the odor out. Give your mattresses a 'suntan'. Vacuum your mattress on both sides. Mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and warm water. Use a common disinfectant. Blot the excess fluid as much as possible. Use an enzyme based cleaning product. Once dry, shake baking soda over it. Let it set overnight and vacuum it the next day. You can also create a mixture using 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. This works best as a spray. Make the stain remover:
Mix teaspoon of water in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of laundry detergent your choice or dishwasher detergent. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and about 1 drop of disinfecting cleaner such as Lysol or Mr Clean. Mix it all together. Have a dry cloth handy and one to dip in solution. Sponge or blot the solution into the mattress. When done, wipe the surface with water. Apply a thin layer of baking soda on the mattress for several hours. Vacuum up the baking soda when it has dried. Apply a proprietary anti-odor product, such as Febreze. Check if completely dry. Use a citrus cleaner or vinegar. Talk to your mattress manufacturer or local dry cleaner. Show more unanswered questions Vinegar also kills mold spores. Vacuum your mattress every month or so. This reduces the dustiness of the mattress. A dust barrier covering the mattress will reduce dust and dust mites as well. Washing bedding in hot water every week also kills dust mites.
Whenever possible, blot out the extra moisture if you can. Flip your mattress once a week to allow each side time to air. This can prevent mold growth. At the very least, do this every month or so. Be careful to check if your mattress can be flipped. Some have a designated topside and won't be as comfortable upside down. Get a good mattress cover. Don't let your mattress get dirty in the first place! It's a lot easier to throw a mattress protector or mattress cover in the wash than it is to clean a mattress, so using one of these is a great time saver. If you happen to have a Tempurpedic™ mattress with the Tempurpedic™ liquid-proof mattress cover, be advised that although this mattress cover is of very high quality, it is not highly durable and should not be washed in a machine with the sheets. Such treatment will eventually lead to tiny rips and tears, resulting in leaks and a dramatic loss in effectiveness. Instead, this mattress cover should be spot cleaned by hand or carefully inspected for leaks.
It can lose effectiveness in as little as two years if not cared for properly. The two main types of waterproof mattress covers are vinyl and urethane. Both are equally good at protecting your mattress from liquids. Vinyl has the advantage of being cheaper, but it isn't breathable and can get warm at night. Urethane tends to cost more, but it breathes well allowing it to stay cool in the summer. Plus, urethane is more durable. Make sure the mattress is completely dry before remaking the bed. Rushing this step will only result in a lingering smell and possible mold, mildew and fungus. Sometimes drying a mattress can take all day If the mold persists, it might be worth looking into a dehumidifier. This reduces moisture in the air,and inhibits mold growth. Dust mites also prefer damp climates So a dehumidifier is very good if you have dust mite allergies or asthma. Most importantly, do not lay a mattress directly on the floor in a basement room or anywhere for any length of time.