How to Expand Your Memory Foam Pillow

A step-by-step guide for any compressed memory foam pillow that didn't fully inflate after unboxing.

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only. Methods involving heat (dryers, irons, steamers) carry inherent risk of burns, fire, or property damage if not performed carefully. Always follow your appliance manufacturer's safety instructions. Bluewave Bedding assumes no responsibility or liability for any injury, damage, or loss resulting from the use of the techniques described on this page. Proceed at your own risk.

Note: This guide applies to any memory foam pillow from any brand. Memory foam is sometimes slow to expand after being vacuum-packed, and it's a more common issue than you might think. The good news: it's usually fixable.

In 2018, we produced a batch of our pillows that didn't immediately expand after unpacking. We've since fixed the manufacturing process, but we learned a lot along the way. Here's what works.

Part 1

Right After Unpacking

Does your pillow look flat, lumpy, or barely expanded? Don't worry yet. Start here.

Tumble dry on medium heat

Place the pillow in your clothes dryer and tumble for 20-30 minutes on medium heat. If the pillow has an outer cover and an inner cover, remove the outer cover first. If it only has one cover, leave it on.

Compress and release

While the pillow is still warm, squeeze and release any sections that haven't expanded. This loosens stuck foam bonds. You can even walk back and forth over it in socks for more pressure.

Dry again

Run it through the dryer one more time. The combination of heat and movement after loosening the bonds helps the foam open up further.

Memory foam pillow that hasn't expanded after unpacking

A pillow that hasn't expanded properly after unboxing

After completing all three steps, lay the pillow on a flat surface and wait 24 hours. Many pillows will finish expanding on their own with time.

Part 2

24 Hours Later: Still Flat?

If the pillow hasn't fully expanded after a dryer cycle and 24 hours of rest, the foam bonds need more help. You'll need two things: heat and pressure.

The best household tool for this is a common clothes iron or handheld steamer. The iron provides concentrated heat and pressure, while steam forces heat deeper into the foam.

We recommend starting at about 50% of max heat. The "wool" setting works well. If your iron has a steam function, use the maximum steam setting.

Pillow still partially flat after dryer treatment

This pillow went through the dryer but didn't fully expand

Safety first: Never place a hot iron directly on exposed memory foam. There must always be fabric (a pillow cover or towel) between the iron and the foam. Start at 50% heat to avoid scorching.

Applying Heat and Pressure

Start at the "wool" setting (about 50% heat)

Maximum steam helps drive heat into the foam

Iron the flat sections

Lay the pillow flat on the floor (place a towel underneath for protection). Slowly move the iron back and forth over the depressed areas, pressing firmly to compress the foam. This drives heat deep into the material and breaks up stuck bonds. Apply steam generously.

Punch, squeeze, and release

Lay a towel over the foam to protect your hands from heat, then repeatedly punch, squeeze, and release the warm sections. This mechanical action breaks any remaining stuck bonds and allows the foam to spring back.

Wait another 24 hours

Let the foam cool and continue expanding naturally. The combination of heat, steam, and pressure should free up the remaining compressed cells.

See it in action:

Ironing the flat sections

Squeezing and releasing the foam

Part 3

Repeat Until Fully Expanded

If the pillow still isn't there yet, repeat Parts 1 and 2 as needed. Each cycle loosens more foam bonds.

You might be wondering: is all this effort worth it? In most cases, yes. If a pillow arrived compressed, a replacement from the same batch might have the same issue. And sometimes a pillow that's 90% expanded just needs one more round to get there.

The foam itself is fine. Expansion issues are caused by bonds forming during compressed storage, not by defective material. Once those bonds are broken, the pillow will perform exactly as intended.

A fully expanded pillow after completing the process

Need More Help?

If you have a Bluewave Bedding pillow that won't expand, reach out. We're a small family team and we'll make it right.

Or browse our pillows: Slim Series · Max Cool · Versalayer