How to Fluff a Shredded Memory Foam Pillow (and Why It Arrives Rolled Up)

Your new pillow arrived rolled up and vacuum-sealed, and right now it looks a lot flatter than the photos. That's completely normal. Shredded memory foam is compressed for shipping and needs a little help (and a little time) to expand. Here's exactly what to do.

Why it arrives rolled up

Vacuum-sealing squeezes the air out of the foam so the pillow travels in a small, protected package. The Driftly pillow comes rolled inside a reusable carry bag, shipped in a plain box. Once you open it, the foam slowly takes in air and returns to its full size.

Step 1: Unpack it straight away

Don't leave the pillow sealed for days after it arrives. Unzip the carry bag, remove the plastic and let the pillow out. The sooner the foam can breathe, the sooner it recovers.

Step 2: Fluff it for about 20 minutes

This is the step most people skip, and it makes the biggest difference.

1. Pat and squeeze the pillow all over, like you're plumping a cushion.
2. Shake it firmly from each end so the foam pieces separate.
3. Stretch it gently in every direction: corner to corner, then end to end.
4. Break up any clumps you can feel through the cover by rolling them between your fingers.

Take breaks if you like. The goal is to get air moving between the shredded pieces.

Step 3: Give it time and fresh air

Leave the pillow somewhere airy, ideally with a little indirect sunlight, and let it keep expanding. Most of the rise happens in the first day, but it can take 3 to 7 days to reach full size. Giving it another quick fluff each day speeds things up.

Step 4: Keep it full over time

Shredded foam settles a little with use, just like any pillow. The fix is easy: give it a good shake every few days, or whenever it feels flatter on one side. Because the pieces can move, you can always bring it back to shape.

Common questions

It still looks a bit flat after a day. Is something wrong? Probably not. Keep fluffing once a day and give it the full week. If it still hasn't expanded after 7 days, contact us and we'll help.

Can I put it in the dryer to fluff it? We don't recommend putting the memory foam filling in a washer or dryer. Fluff it by hand instead. The outer cover zips off and can be machine washed on a gentle cycle.

There's a slight smell when I open it. A light new-foam scent is normal and fades as the pillow airs out. We explain why in this guide.

Haven't got yours yet? Take a look at the Driftly Bamboo Pillow.