If your pillow has a strong odor, spray a 50/50 vinegar and water mix to eliminate the smell. Be sure to spray lightly and let the mix stand for five minutes before blotting the pillow dry with a towel.
Yes, you can use disinfecting sprays like Glade or Lysol on your pillows to eliminate germs and bacteria. Ensure your pillows are completely dry before sleeping to prevent trapping moisture. Avoid oversaturating your pillow with a disinfecting spray.
Tumble-drying laundry, including pillows, on high heat for at least 30 minutes is sufficient for killing most influenza germs. Don't hesitate to tumble dry for longer, however. Germs thrive in wet places, so pillows should be thoroughly dry to the touch before putting them back on the bed.
Wash two pillows in a single load to balance the washer. Use only a tablespoon of detergent to prevent over-sudsing and detergent buildup inside the pillow. Use the washer's gentle cycle and the warmest water temperature recommended on the pillow's care tag.
To remedy this odor, you can simply wash the 'smelly' down bedding with a teaspoon of liquid Dawn® or similar degreaser soap. Be sure you dry the items thoroughly, ensuring you have removed all moisture, typically 2 to 3 drying cycles.
If it is not washable, you can try spraying it with a spray disinfectant. You can also sanitize the pillow by sprinkling it with borax. Leave the powder on the pillow for an hour, then gently vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner.
The reason why for instance pillows develop an unpleasant smell after they have been washed and dried, might be that the down and feathers have not been dried completely. In this case it is advisable to wash them again and dry them thoroughly until they are completely dry.
Sweat. We all sweat at night, and over time sweat can seep through your pillowcase and onto your pillow. Eventually, this will cause your pillow to yellow. Sweat stains are the most common reason for pillow yellowing.
Our sweat causes those yellow pillow stains because of a chemical it contains—urea. A harmless byproduct of our sweat (and, in much larger quantities, our urine too), urea breaks down and turns back into ammonia over time. If you want to get technical about it, it's actually the ammonia that causes those yellow stains.
If you're wondering how to whiten yellow-stained pillows, it's pretty simple. All you need is dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, bleach and borax, plus a little hot water to make them look as good as new!
Not only does it swiftly disinfect hard surfaces, but this multi-tasker can also be used on upholstery items for a clean and healthy home.
Our Lysol® Disinfectant Spray kills 99.9% of the germs that are hanging around on your homes' soft furnishings. Its unique cap completely covers large areas without over wetting, making it great for soft surfaces such as your decorative cushions, mattress, sofa etc. To use, simply spray and then allow to air dry!
If your pillow can be washed, it should be washed at least twice a year. If you eat in bed, have pets, or sweat a lot, you should wash pillows quarterly. Special pillows like body pillows or throw pillows should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months.
Use the funnel to add 20 drops of lavender oil, 15 drops of wild orange and 10 drops of chamomile to your bottle. Fill the rest with distilled water. Shake before each use. If you want a much stronger scent, you can always add more drops, but I suggest starting with these.
Better hygiene – Pillows are a breeding ground for dust and bacteria that builds up over time, which is why it's important to know how to wash pillows properly. However, since pillows can be difficult to wash without damaging their quality, it's best to replace them after a couple of years.
Yellowing sheets are primarily due to body sweat and oils, including lotions we put on to rejuvenate our skin overnight, according to textile engineer Vikki Martin, vice president of fiber competition for Cotton Incorporated.
Most experts recommend replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years. Doing so helps to ensure that you're using pillows that are supportive, clean, and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity. Generally, you'll be able to tell when it's time to replace your pillows.
Don't toss out those discolored old pillows—rescue them with this simple whitening method. Inevitably, sweat and natural oils from your body get absorbed into your pillow while you sleep, causing discoloration and attracting dust and dirt that worsen the problem.
Down or feather: Most down pillows can be put in the washing machine. But use cool water and a mild detergent, then dry on low heat. (High temperatures can damage the down.) Memory foam or latex: Washer agitation can break up foam, so these pillows will probably need to be hand-washed.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Mixture for Cleaning
Firstly, mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar. Then put your white pillowcases in the washing machine. Next, add water to soak the pillow covers. When they are soaked in water, add the cleaning mixture to the tub of the washing machine.
Why wash your pillows. While you sleep, your body sheds thousands of dead skin cells. They in turn attract dust mites, which, although harmless, do produce droppings that contain allergens. Letting these build up can trigger anything from asthma and rhinitis to itchy eyes.
If your pillow smells like vinegar afterward, simply run it through your washing machine with a pleasant-smelling detergent. You can also sprinkle in a little baking soda during the washing cycle to help lift away any remaining vinegar odors.
Awful pillow smells
If your nose picks out an awful smell when you put your head down to sleep, time might be up to get a new pillow. Unpleasant smells are a sign that bacteria and body odors have seeped right through the pillow's surface.