# Waterproofing a pillow...ideas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114 "2008-06-07T08:39:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/1 "2008-06-07T08:39:21Z")
I like to take long baths in the tub while reading a book. My tub doesn’t have a very slanted back, though, and so reclining is uncomfortable. Those inflatable pillows make it worse because they just push your head forward into a slouch. I have done a trick where I take [these type of pillows](http://www.comfortchannel.com/images/cequalblack_H.jpg) and wrap them in several layers of trash bags… but there has to be a better way. Can anyone think of a good way to make a waterproof case for this type of pillow (or even just a wedge pillow) that was watertight enough to be completely submerged with a person leaning on it? What kind of materials and how to attach, etc…? ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/2 "2008-06-07T08:42:33Z")
They make waterproof zipper bags that are big enough to carry stuff like camping gear in. It won’t fit correctly over a pillow like the one in your link, but I bet you could make it work nicely with regular shaped pillows. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/3 "2008-06-07T08:50:38Z")
Can you give me a link to an example? Does the zipper leak water? I am hoping for a stretchy material that will really form to the shape of the pillow (I’ll probably end up using a foam wedge) rather than having it in a “sack” where it would have wrinkles and tend to trap air… ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/4 "2008-06-07T08:51:22Z")
You might try getting some sort of inflatable pillow or whatever (or maybe something [like this](http://www.coolinflatables.com/site/891852/page/468252)) and just fill it with water and keep it in the tub. It will act just fine as a pillow and since it will have null buoyancy it will just sit there where you put it. _cheers for fellow bathtub readers_🆒 ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/5 "2008-06-07T13:34:43Z")
What do they put under someones head when they are being waterboarded? I found this, but it is not waterproof:[waterboard pillow](http://www.cafepress.com/dirtyword.231925640) ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/6 "2008-06-07T13:51:42Z")
Back when I was a kid who loved long soaking baths, I used to roll and fold up bath towels into an appropriately sized bundle and use that wad of towel as a pillow. It doesn’t matter if it gets wet, since even soaking wet terrycloth has enough friction that it still holds your head up. And when you’re done with your bath, you just unroll them and hang them up to dry. The back of your head will inevitably get a little wet, so don’t do this when you’ve just come back from the beauty parlor. Uses up a lot of towels, though. But since you’re the one doing the laundry, your mom can’t make you stop. 😃 Use beach towels, they’re bigger. And they’re on sale this month everywhere as Summer Seasonal items. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/7 "2008-06-07T14:07:00Z")
Put the pillow in an appropriately sized dry bag, squeeze out the air, and close the dry bag by rolling down the flap. [http://www.seallinegear.com/dry\_bags.asp?Category=DryBags](http://www.seallinegear.com/dry_bags.asp?Category=DryBags) ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/8 "2008-06-07T14:19:12Z")
Are you sure you need a waterproof pillow? [These](http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Comfy-Bath-Sponge/dp/B000H953Y2) baby bath sponges are designed to be fully immersed and dry quickly. One of these might do the trick. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/9 "2008-06-07T18:34:01Z")
Ziploc makes huge Ziploc bags these days and that would probably be the cheapest waterproof bag you’ll find to stick a pillow in. Alternatively, you could get a gallon Ziploc bag and fill it with air for an air pillow. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/10 "2008-06-07T19:21:28Z")
If the inflatable bath pillow has a larger part for supporting your head, you could use the pillow upside down with the larger part in the water. This would provide the slant your tub lacks. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/11 "2008-06-07T22:10:22Z")
No inflatable pillows. First, NONE of them are anywhere near big enough (a gallon sized Ziplock is about 1/10 the right size if not less). I need something that goes from my lower back to the top of my head, and the whole width of my back. I need at _minimum_ the size of a standard bed pillow. Second, they FLOAT. Even the ones with the suction cups don’t stay down. I realize that a pillow would still have air in it, but it stays down a lot better than the ones that are just air. I don’t think that the ziplock seal would be strong enough even if they make a big enough bag. It would take about 4 or 5 towels to get the bulk I want, and trying to dry out 4-5 soaking wet towels every time I take a bath? Way too big of a pain in the ass. I can’t leave something full of water in the tub full time because it would be in other people’s way when they take showers. **Muffin** : those dry bags look like they might have potential. I will check that out further. I don’t see dimensions for the baby sponge thing… how big is it? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/12 "2008-06-07T22:24:52Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] (snip) I don’t see dimensions for the baby sponge thing… how big is it? [/QUOTE] It’s been a real long time since I had one around, but I seem to remember it being around 18" wide, 24" long, and tapering from 5" at it’s thickest to around 2" at the foot. They’re available at pretty much any children’s store so you could take a look at one. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/13 "2008-06-08T04:55:31Z")
I’m not sure that would really be enough of a wedge. I will try to remember next time I’m near that kind of store to check it out. Thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/14 "2008-06-08T05:59:48Z")
Instead of something water proof, how about a big piece of foam? They can cut a custom-sized piece for you. > **[Speaker / Filter Foam](https://www.foambymail.com/product/speaker-filter-foam.html)** > > Check out the deal on Speaker / Filter Foam at Foam Factory, Inc. Alternatively, you could just get some plastic sheeting, wrap it around your pillow of choice, and use silicon to seal it. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/15 "2008-06-09T03:38:42Z")
Ooh that dryfast foam looks like it may have potential. I’ve sent them an email asking for more information. One concern I would have is how well it would stay clean and not get smelly or something. I mean I don’t get into a soaking reading-with-a-glass-of-wine bath covered in filth and gak or anything, but skin cells and what have you, along with mildew potential does worry me. The plastic sheeting thing I’ve considered, and sort of thought of as my “backup plan” if I can’t come up with anything better. The main problems are keeping uncomfortable wrinkles out of it, and the fact that plastic sheeting isn’t the most comfortable surface texture in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/16 "2008-06-09T04:34:18Z")
\ Didja see those cool foam crown moldings? Whoda thunk? \ ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/17 "2008-06-09T04:54:18Z")
Sounds like a long shot, but I’ll mention it anyway. Cushions for lawn furniture - maybe one of the seat cushions or an accessory pillow for outdoor couch/love seat. Or maybe pool furniture/cushions for a floating lounge. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/18 "2008-06-09T05:00:24Z")
[http://www.homedecorators.com/P/19W\_Outdoor\_Throw\_Pillow/520/](http://www.homedecorators.com/P/19W_Outdoor_Throw_Pillow/520/) [or this?](http://www.homedecorators.com/P/19W_Outdoor_Cushion_for_Ottoman/) Maybe you could put one of these pillows or cushions inside a standard vinyl slipcover if it needed to be fully water proof. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/19 "2008-06-09T05:04:20Z")
Well the main thing is it has to be wedge-shaped. If it’s just padding the back of the tub but maintaining the verticality of the end of the tub, it doesn’t help much. I need to be able to be in a more supported+reclined position, not folded in half at 90 degrees like my tub currently does 😕 ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114/20 "2008-06-09T05:04:24Z")
I think that in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical settings they sometimes use [egg crate foam (egg crates)](http://www.cwimedical.com/convoluted-egg-crates.html) in tubs for just such a purpose (comfort and pressure management). It is machine washable, but I don’t know how resistant it is to mildew and other factors. The eggcrate that I’ve had experience with does really soak up the water and it takes some time to dry, and they usually dispose of it after a short use in medical settings. That foamby mail link also offers different eggcrate as well, I believe, and the eggcrate is much more comfortable than flat foam, orthopedically speaking. It’s an easy matter to get a bed size piece and cut it to size or even fold it and double it up [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproofing-a-pillow-ideas/452114.md?page=2)