You can place the new pillow in direct sunlight to remove the smell. The new pillow smell will go away after one or two weeks.
This is a typical response from every pillow brand, but it rarely happens. After months of regular use, users have reported the irritating chemical smell they felt on the first day.
What Causes New Pillow Smell?
Chemicals and materials used in the manufacturing and packaging of the products are mainly responsible for the new pillow smell.
In scientific terms, that odor is known as off-gassing, and Volatile Organic Compounds are responsible for it.
What does a normal scent from a newly purchased pillow smell like? If a product smells like a freshly painted room, it’s nothing to worry about. Extremely irritating odor may be due to some other issue.
This article will help you get rid of a new pillow smell and teach you how to make your pillow smell fresh.
New Pillow Smells like Paint
New pillow smelling like paint is not a serious issue yet a minor inconvenience. Off-greasing is the reason behind why new pillow smells like paint.
Chemicals and other materials used in pillow manufacturing evaporate in the air, creating a paint-like smell for the user.
You can easily remove this paint smell from the pillow by airing out the pillow or by following our detailed guide.
How to Remove New Pillow Smell?
Spraying your favorite essential oils with a mix of water will resolve the issue instantly. It’s quite possible that spraying once or twice a week will resolve the issue.
As mentioned earlier, there might be some other reasons behind the smell. So, here are some working methods to remove the smell from new pillows.
1. Air the New Pillow out
First, remove all types of plastic packaging from the pillow when you start using it. On a non-humid and sunny day, place the pillow out in the open air for a few hours.
The sun and air will remove the irritating odor, and you will get a freshly smelling pillow. Consider repeating the process twice a week, and the smell will go away permanently.
2. Vacuum the New Pillow
Dust particles trapped in the packaging will also create an unpleasant smell. Vacuuming the pillow will not only clean the pillow but also remove the odor-causing factors.
You can also use a clean, wet cloth to neat the surface and remove debris or chemicals. Don’t forget to dry the pillow in sunlight after the process.
3. Try Scenting with Essential Oils
Placing an air freshener in the room will also help to reduce the smell of new pillows. The smell of new memory foam pillows will fade away due to particles of scent in the room atmosphere.
This will take some time, but the faster way is to spray essential oils directly on the pillow. Bedding care products are also available in the markets that leave a long-lasting refreshing scent on the pillows.
4. Baking Soda to refresh Pillow
Some pillows have little stains or marks due to trapped moisture. Returning such a pillow might be an option, but if you want to avoid the hassle, take a mixture of baking soda and water and evenly spray the mixture on the pillow surface.
Gently rub the brush and then clean it with a wet piece of cloth. Let it dry for a day, and your neutral pillow is ready without any odor or smell.
Is New Pillow Smell Harmful?
Is the smell of a new pillow a sign of a faulty product? The answer is no because even premium pillows sometimes cause this effect. This scent is not toxic or harmful and is more likely to fade away with time.
Storage Conditions and Pillow Smell
Products like mattresses and pillows are manufactured on a larger scale and stored for months before shipment to the end user.
These storage areas have a controlled environment, so proper ventilation may not be there to keep the products fresh. Fresh chemicals start building a scent inside the sealed packages.
Trust the Brand
This scent is in no way harmful or toxic, though it may be irritating for some. Buying from a trusted brand will give you peace of mind that only human-safe materials are used in the production process.
You can also check if products are Certification Program CetriPUR-US approved.
Expert Insights about New Pillow Smell
There are many questions that users have on how to remove new pillow smell. Here are some important considerations for a perfectly fresh new pillow.
Will the New Pillow Odor go away naturally?
For a quality memory foam pillow, the off-gassing period is about 5-7 days. Depending on the pillow’s production date, the scent might fade away within a day or two. In the worst conditions, users felt the odor even after a month.
If the scent does not go away even after weeks, now is the time for some extra action. The off-gassing period is associated with many other factors, including ventilation, cleanliness of the room, and frequency of cleaning and care.
Should you Exchange or Return a Smelly New Pillow?
Initiating a return or exchange may not be a good move because many brands won’t entertain your request. Apart from brand policies, you will have to pay for the return. Even if the returns are free, waiting a few more weeks to deliver your pillow is inevitable.
The smell of a new pillow does not indicate any defect or quality issue in the product. This odor is temporary, and removing the smell from new pillows is easier than replacing or exchanging them.
Ready-to-use Pillows is a Myth
Marketing tactics always focus on generating sales, and sometimes, companies make claims that cannot be verified easily. There are brands that advertise ready-to-use pillows.
Are these pillows always clean and sterile? The answer is no because such statements are somehow misleading for new customers.
Should you wash a new pillow right after removing the packaging?
Washing a new pillow might be too much, but cleaning it with any spray or vacuuming it will be a better choice. Plastic protectors provide resistance against future contamination but also add chemical odor.
If you are not satisfied with our recommended methods and want to wash the new pillow, please read the instructions carefully. Ruining the pillow due to improper wash will be sad for you and us.
We cannot see you destroying an expensive pillow. So, listen to what we have to say, just be careful, and pay attention to the instructions on the tag.
Conclusion
Removing the smell of a new pillow requires little effort. Spraying the scent, keeping the pillow in the sun, or vacuuming it will solve the issue. You can try washing or rubbing it with baking soda for other reasons.
Pillow care is closely associated with personal hygiene habits. A clean face, washed hair, and removed makeup will help you keep your pillows clean in the long run.
Do you need help maintaining your pillows in the best shape? We have other useful guides; stay connected.
