Pillows can turn yellow over time as they collect body oils and sweat while we sleep, but one 59p trick could restore their white shine without needing to stick them in the wash
This hack could revitalise your pillows without putting them in the wash.
Our pillows go through a lot every night. As we toss and turn in bed they pick up dust, bacteria, body oils, and sweat, and eventually, they end up with discoloured yellow patches, and in some cases, an unpleasant odour. While it might look unsightly, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to yellow pillows – it’s a natural consequence of our bodies working the way they should while we sleep.
However, even though yellow stains on pillows can’t be avoided, they should definitely still be cleaned. And according to one bedding expert, there’s an easy way you can clean your pillows without having to stick them in the washing machine every single time.
Experts at bedding brand Dormeo said the hack is especially handy for memory foam pillows as these “can’t be submerged in water” so would be unsuitable for the washing machine. All you need to do is remove the pillowcase and fill a bowl with warm water and laundry detergent.
Then, simply take a clean sponge or cloth and dip it in the water before gently rubbing at the stain until it lifts. All you need to do after that is wait for the pillow to dry completely before popping the case back on and putting it back on your bed.
And if the yellow stains on your pillow are particularly stubborn, then there’s one common kitchen ingredient you can use to help lift them – baking soda. For this trick, create a paste using baking soda and water and rub it onto the stain before letting it sit for around half an hour. Then, wipe away any remaining paste once the time is up.
Not only does baking soda help to remove yellow stains, but it can also banish any odours on your pillow too. The product can be picked up from most supermarkets for as little as 59p, but if you want the convenience of having it delivered to your front door, Amazon sells a 550g tub for £4.99 that’s available on Amazon Prime.
Meanwhile, we previously reported there’s even a fruit you can use to lift stains from pillows – limes. Rebecca Swain, a mattress expert from Winston’s Beds, insisted that cleaning your pillowcases is vital as leaving the stains to fester can lead to “bacteria growth and even cases of mould”. But cleaning stains doesn’t have to be expensive, as there are a range of natural cleaning products you can use instead.
The expert’s top tip is to use lime juice to clean your pillowcases. She recommended squeezing two limes onto the stained areas before giving the cases a deep wash. She added: “The acidic elements will help to bleach the stained yellow colouring – all you have to do is scrub it gently onto items such as mattresses. Leave it to rest for 30 minutes, and then wipe it down.”
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