It seems that no matter how many times we change our pillow cases, the pillows themselves find a way to turn a cringe-worthy yellow. Your pillow gets this way because you use it every night, and every night it soaks up your body's oils, sweat and probably even some drool, too.
While it's easy to just throw a pillow case over it and forget it's there, that's not always the best solution. Over time, your pillow can become smelly and even harbor germs. Luckily, cleaning your pillow is a whole lot simpler than you realize. Below, youll find a list of the best solutions to cleaning your stained pillows:
Yellow pillowsTreat yellowed pillows with liquid detergent and bleach. Run on a hot cycle with extra rinse.
The pillows will look as good as new afterwards:
Regular pillowsAlthough most people wash their pillowcases often enough, how many times have you washed your pillows? It's pretty easy, so don't hesitate to try it. Here's what you'll need:
1 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
1 cup bleach (or bleach alternative)
1/2 cup borax
First, soak your pillow in warm water for 30 minutes before adding the ingredients above, along with more hot water, to create a cleaning solution. Let your pillow soak in that for another 30 minutes. Then wash your pillow like normal in the machine and the stains will be gone.
Pillows that need extra careIf you have a pillow that can't be thrown into the washing machine, like a down pillow, this is the solution you're going to want to try. On the next sunny day lay your pillow out in the sun to lighten it, then add bleach or vinegar with a small toothbrush on the yellow spots. You can also apply baking soda to soak up any wetness and smells.
Microfiber and memory foam pillowsAnother washing machine alternative is to just let your pillow soak. If you have a microfiber or memory foam pillow this is the best option for you. All you have to do is place your pillow in a bucket with warm water and detergent or your own solution (like the one listed above).
