How to store a body pillow between uses

Wash the cover and fill following the manufacturer's instructions, make sure both are completely dry, then place the pillow in a breathable bag and keep it somewhere cool, dry, and away from direct light. Check the label before compressing or folding, and air the pillow out before using it again.

Start with the manufacturer's storage instructions

Before you do anything else, find the care label on your pillow and any documentation that came with it. Manufacturers specify care instructions because fill materials behave differently: solid memory foam should not be submerged in water, shredded memory foam requires careful handling to avoid damaging the individual pieces, and other fills have their own requirements ¹. Storage guidance follows the same logic. If the documentation says to avoid compression, that instruction exists because the fill will not recover properly if it is held under pressure for an extended period.

For the Cove Classic and Cove Mini, the zip-off covers are machine washable on cold and the shredded gel memory foam fill is adjustable through an inner zip. Check the label and any printed care card for storage specifics before choosing your bag or container.

If you have lost the original documentation, the manufacturer's website or customer support is the right place to check — not general internet advice, which may describe procedures for a different fill type entirely. Different constructions really do require different approaches, and what is safe for one pillow can cause lasting damage to another.

Make sure the pillow and cover are clean and dry

Storing a pillow that is dirty or even slightly damp is the single most common storage mistake. Body oils, skin cells, and any residual moisture sealed inside a bag create conditions where odor and mildew can develop over weeks or months, even when the cover feels dry on the surface ¹.

Wash the cover according to the label before storage. For most removable zip-off covers, that means machine washing on a gentle cold cycle. The fill should also be cleaned following the manufacturer's method — shredded memory foam in particular requires attention because the pieces need to dry all the way through, not just on the outer surface ².

Drying is not complete when the cover feels dry to the touch. Allow extra time for the fill to dry fully — tumble drying may need multiple cycles, and the interior fill may still hold moisture even when the exterior seems ready ¹. If you are air-drying, use a well-ventilated space and give the pillow adequate time before moving to the next step. Some pillows can also be dried outside or in a well-ventilated spot, depending on the manufacturer's guidance ¹. See how to wash a body pillow for a full cleaning walkthrough.

It is worth removing the cover and washing it separately from the fill. A cover laundered and dried on its own is easier to inspect for any remaining damp patches, and it lets you confirm both components are fully ready before they go into storage together.

Choose a suitable bag and location

Once the pillow is clean and dry, the goal of the bag is to protect it from dust and pests without trapping moisture. A breathable fabric bag — such as a cotton storage bag or the type often sold for duvets — is a better default than a sealed plastic bin for most body pillows, because it allows minor humidity changes to pass through rather than condensing inside.

The location matters as much as the bag. A cool, dry indoor space — a wardrobe, a linen cupboard, or under-bed storage in a climate-controlled room — is preferable to a loft, garage, or basement, where temperature swings and higher humidity are common. Hot, humid environments are generally unfavorable for both fabric and foam, and temperature variation over the storage period is worth factoring in when you choose a spot ³. If you use an under-bed container, check that it sits off the floor rather than directly on cold concrete, which can cause condensation on the underside of the bag.

Avoid storing the pillow in direct or prolonged sunlight, which can degrade both fabric and foam over time. A dark, stable indoor location is the most straightforward choice for long-term storage.

The table below summarizes common storage locations and their suitability:

Check whether compression is allowed

Compression storage — rolling the pillow tightly or using a vacuum bag — reduces the space a large body pillow needs significantly, but it is not appropriate for all fills.

Shredded memory foam is particularly vulnerable. The fill pieces can be permanently deformed by sustained compression, and memory foam can break down if it is not handled correctly ². If the manufacturer's instructions do not explicitly permit vacuum compression or tight rolling, do not use those methods. Checking before compressing rather than after is the only way to avoid damage that cannot be undone.

Polyester fiberfill pillows generally tolerate some compression better, but even with those, extended vacuum storage can cause uneven clumping that does not fully recover. See memory foam vs polyester body pillows for more on how fill type affects handling and care.

If you need to reduce the footprint of the pillow without compressing the fill, a crescent body pillow can often be folded loosely along its curve and placed in a large fabric bag without applying sustained pressure to the foam. That approach keeps the pillow manageable for storage without risking permanent fill damage.

Here is a storage readiness checklist to work through before you seal the bag:

• [ ] Read the care label and any printed storage instructions
• [ ] Wash the cover according to the label
• [ ] Clean the fill following the manufacturer's method
• [ ] Confirm the fill is completely dry all the way through, not just on the surface
• [ ] Confirm the cover is completely dry
• [ ] Store the cover separately or folded loosely alongside the fill — never sealed in damp
• [ ] Choose a breathable bag rather than a sealed plastic container
• [ ] Confirm whether compression is permitted before rolling or vacuum-sealing
• [ ] Select an indoor, climate-controlled location away from direct light
• [ ] Note the storage date so you can schedule a periodic check

Inspect and air only as directed before reuse

When you bring the pillow back out of storage, do not put it straight onto the bed. Give yourself a short inspection and airing period first.

Unfold or unroll the pillow and check the cover for any visible staining, discoloration, or mold. Check the fill through the outer fabric for any unusual odor or for areas that feel permanently flat or lumpy. If there is an odor that does not dissipate after airing, or visible mold growth, do not use the pillow — clean it again fully following the care label, or consider whether it needs to be replaced.

If the pillow has been stored flat or lightly compressed, allow time for the fill to recover to its normal volume before you sleep on it. Shredded memory foam typically needs a few hours to expand back after any period of compression ². This is similar to the recovery period you would allow when unboxing a compressed body pillow for the first time.

Airing should follow whatever method the manufacturer describes — typically in a well-ventilated room rather than in prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade both fabric and foam. Once the fill has recovered and you are satisfied there is no odor or visible damage, fit the cover, check that the zip closes cleanly, and the pillow is ready to use again. If the fill feels uneven after airing, and your pillow has an adjustable fill like the Cove Classic or Cove Mini, open the inner zip and redistribute the pieces before replacing the cover.

More in this series: start with the body pillow buying guide and returning a body pillow: a practical packing checklist.