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If your duvets and pillows have a yellowed appearance, it’s only natural. Over time, various factors such as dust mites or sweat affect the quality of the bedding. Fortunately, it is possible to make yellowed pillows snow white with the right tricks. Discover three simple and effective washing methods as well as some practical tips for always having clean laundry.
As you must know, everything related to bedding should be washed regularly and pillows are no exception to this rule. It is indeed important to disinfect them and remove yellowish stains that have settled there.
In addition, pillows can easily become an environment conducive to dust mites, viruses and bacteria, among other things from sweat and dirt particles that build up over time. But despite the yellowish stains and odors that can emanate from your pillows, it is not always necessary to throw them away. This is even more true if they are of good quality and have not exceeded a lifespan of 2 years.
Before taking such measures, focus instead on inexpensive cleaning tips to make them look better. Here are some methods you should use once a month to treat them effectively. These also apply to pillows and bolsters.
What causes yellowed pillows?
As you can imagine, the main and most common reason is sweating. And for good reason, every night your pillow gradually and irreversibly turns yellow because of this. Body sweat penetrates the fibers of the pillow before subsequently appearing on the surface. But although sweat remains the most common reason, other factors also play a role, such as saliva. The liquids we secrete contribute to the
yellowing of the pillow that receives them. In addition, this discoloration is not only an aesthetic problem, as it is evidence that bacteria and mites have settled in the heart of the fibers. And it is completely natural, as these creatures particularly like to spread moisture, which can lead to conditions such as asthma, allergies or rhinitis.
Here are 3 effective methods to wash your yellowed pillows:
1. Hot water and lemon
Lemon is an invaluable and very effective ally if you want to give new life to your pillows to sleep well and with optimal comfort. The following trick will allow you to take advantage of the whitening and disinfecting properties of citrus fruits.
Start by boiling 2.5 liters of water and add 6 glasses of lemon juice. Then soak the pillow in this lemon water for about 2 hours. All you need to do is wash the pillow with soapy water to remove stains before rinsing and drying it. Feel free to add more water so that the pillow is completely submerged in the solution.
2. White vinegar and baking soda
To naturally whiten and soften the textile fibers of your pillow, a combination of baking soda and white vinegar is a perfect solution. In fact, you can count on the antibacterial and whitening action of these two elements to remove all the dirt, sweat and stains on the pillow. In addition, this will also help fight any bad odors that may have settled in it.
To use them well, it is very simple. Place your pillow in a basin filled with hot water and add half a cup of white vinegar mixed with the same amount of baking soda. Let it soak for 1 hour. Then select a normal wash cycle and run it through the washing machine, then air dry. It should be noted that baking soda can also be used to clean your mattress.
3. Lemon and hydrogen peroxide
Ideal as a substitute for bleach, this anti-stain and anti-mite treatment is made up of the combination of lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide (oxygenated water) to whiten linen. Ingredients that contain active ingredients that can easily remove sweat or saliva stains.
To take advantage of their benefits, prepare a bucket of hot water in which you will add half a cup of lemon juice and twice the amount of hydrogen peroxide. Place the pillow in the bucket and leave it to soak for an hour. Once this time has elapsed, run a normal wash cycle in your washing machine to rinse the pillow and then let it dry in the sun.
Practical tips for washing your pillows
To ensure optimal washing of the pillows, it is important to consider a number of recommendations:
- Always read the label: Whether polyester, cotton or feather, any type of pillow should be washed according to the label’s washing instructions to maintain its quality, so always check if yours is machine washable.
- For top-loading machines: Take two cushions at a time to keep the machine balanced.
- Air-dry or sun-dry: Once you’re done washing, simply place your pillows in the sun so they can benefit from UV rays. The latter promote the bleaching of the textile, making this light source the best way to dry your bedding while also facilitating the eradication of dust mites. The result: you’ll find a sparkling white pillow to sleep soundly at night.
If you choose to tumble dry, opt for a fresh air cycle. If it’s a feather pillow, add tennis balls to make it look stuffed, but be careful not to put more than two at risk of damaging the machine’s drum.
3 tips for caring for your pillows
In addition to washing, it is equally important to take preventive and useful measures for the proper care of pillows to keep them soft, clean and comfortable:
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