Memory Foam Pillow: Effects, Pros and Cons, Care and Odour

A memory foam pillow is made of viscoelastic foam. It responds to pressure and body heat and supports your head and neck evenly. Whether this kind of pillow suits you depends less on the material than on the height: it has to fit your body, your sleeping position and your mattress.

What does memory foam actually do?

Memory foam, technically known as viscoelastic foam, reacts slowly. When you lay your head down, the foam gives way and moulds itself around your head and neck. As the pressure eases, it gradually returns to its original shape. That sets it apart from spring cores, down or loose fillings, which spring back faster or shift around.

Memory foam yields to pressure and supports the surface your head and neck rest on. What it does not do: it does not make up for the wrong pillow height. A pillow that is too high or too low stays too high or too low, even when it is made of memory foam.

What are the benefits of a memory foam pillow?

• It adapts. The foam shapes itself to your head and your neck.
• It supports evenly. The pressure is spread over a larger area instead of concentrating on individual points.
• It stays put. The pillow doesn't shift, and you can't bunch it up the way you can a pillow with a loose fill.

And what are the drawbacks?

We'll be honest: memory foam pillows are not the right choice for everyone, and getting started isn't always comfortable.

• It often feels firmer at first. If you've slept on a soft feather pillow for years, the support feels unfamiliar at the start.
• Your body needs time. Your neck and shoulders have to get used to the new surface. So don't judge a pillow after the first night.
• The foam reacts slowly. Some people find this sluggish when they turn over in their sleep.
• Some find it warmer. This is a matter of personal perception.
• The height can't be topped up. With a loose-fill pillow, you change the height by adding or removing filling; with a foam core, you can't. That makes the right height from the start all the more important.

A memory foam pillow takes getting used to, and it needs the right height.

Which height is right for me?

Three things determine how high a pillow should be:

• Your body measurements: Shoulder width, neck circumference and neck length are different for everyone.
• Your sleeping position: On your back, side or stomach, your head needs a different amount of space between it and the mattress.
• Your mattress: On a soft mattress, your shoulder sinks in deeper than on a medium or firm one.

When the height is right, your head and cervical spine line up, and your shoulder has room. That is all a well-fitting pillow can do. It is not a cure. If you have neck or shoulder complaints, please have them assessed by a doctor.

You can read how to estimate the height in our article Calculating Pillow Height. If you already have a pillow and aren't sure about it, Is Your Pillow Too High or Too Low? can help. We have a dedicated guide for sleeping on your side: The Right Pillow for Side Sleepers.

How does Pillowise approach this?

Pillowise is a made-to-measure memory foam pillow. Thijs van der Hilst developed it as a physiotherapist, together with United Comfort Industries. The background: he couldn't recommend a suitable pillow to his patients with neck complaints, so he developed a measuring method. Three measurements determine the right pillow:

Your sleeping position (back, side, stomach) and your mattress (soft, medium, firm) are added to this. An algorithm then selects the best-fitting pillow. There are six sizes, each with its own colour: pink, orange, green, blue, red and purple.

The pillow measures 55 x 35 cm. The core is made of 100% memory foam and is manufactured in the Netherlands. United Comfort Industries has been making ergonomic sleep products there since 1990. The cover has a moisture-regulating top layer of Tencel and a bottom layer of polyester. The materials are certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX. We give every Pillowise pillow a 5-year warranty. You can find out more on the page The Pillowise Pillow.

For travelling, there is Pillow ToGo, a travel pillow measuring 34 x 35 cm, with the same support as the regular pillow. It is available in all sizes and comes in a sturdy travel bag. Learn more in our article on the Travel Pillow for Your Neck.

With Pillowise, your measurements determine the size, not the material alone.

How do I wash a memory foam pillow?

When washing, you need to distinguish between the cover and the foam core:

1. Remove the cover. The cover can be cared for separately from the core.
2. Wash the cover at 40 °C. The Pillowise cover is suitable for the washing machine at 40 °C.
3. Don't put the foam core in the washing machine. The core can't withstand the drum or the spin cycle.
4. Let everything dry thoroughly. Only put the cover back on once it is completely dry.

The cover goes in the washing machine; the foam core does not.

What should I do if my memory foam pillow smells?

New foam often has a smell at first. This isn't unusual with memory foam. Take the pillow out of its packaging, remove the cover, and let the core and cover air out in a well-ventilated place before you use the pillow. The smell usually fades during this time.

If a pillow you've used for a while smells unpleasant, first wash the cover at 40 °C and air out the core. If the smell stays noticeably strong, ask at the place where you bought it or write to us at info@pillowise.com.

Airing it out helps with the smell of a new pillow.

So: is a memory foam pillow right for you?

Memory foam is a good material if you like even, steady support and are willing to get used to it. It is not a miracle product: without the right height, you won't lie properly on foam either. And if you sleep well on your current pillow and wake up without complaints in the morning, you don't need to change anything. You can read about whether and when a replacement might still make sense in our article How often should you replace a pillow?.

If, on the other hand, you regularly doubt the height or have already tried several pillows, it's worth measuring again. You'll find an overview of the options in our guide to choosing the right pillow.

Which size is right for you?

You can get measured at a Pillowise retailer near you, using the Pillowise measuring tape. Or you can determine your size yourself with PillowScan, using your smartphone or via QR code.

Determine your size yourself or find a retailer

Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise