Sprinkle baking soda on the pillow and vacuum it up after 30 minutes to help remove some of the odor and dry spores. Spray a light mist of vinegar over the pillow, then wipe it down with a mild dish soap solution and white cloth or a sponge. If spots remain, wipe them with rubbing alcohol on the tip of a cotton swab.
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.
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.
Although most pillows have a tag giving laundering instructions, few people bother to wash them. We think they're shielded from the day-to-day grit and grime of life, thanks to the pillowcase. Or else, that washing them may ruin them.
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.
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.
Be certain to dry your pillow(s) very thoroughly so they don't mold or mildew. It will take about 2-3 hours (or longer) to completely dry a standard size pillow at low heat.
In addition to regularly cleaning your sheets and comforter, you should also be caring for your pillows, mattress, and mattress topper. Pillows, especially, should be washed at least two to four times a year (say, every four months) to help them last longer.
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.
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!
Most pillows, including those filled with cotton, feather, down, and fiberfill, can be cleaned in a washing machine using warm water on the gentle cycle, explains Sansoni, but it's always a good idea to read the label for cleaning instructions first.
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.
The key to preventing pillows from getting lumpy is washing two pillows at the same time since the two pillows will balance out in the washer. To keep your pillows from getting damaged, place them in the washer vertically and use a mild, liquid detergent.
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.
Gently squeeze excess water from the pillow, then place it outside in direct sunlight to air dry. If you can't place the pillow outside, find a spot indoors with good circulation. Add a fan to help speed up drying. Be sure pillow is completely dry before returning it to the bed.
Always wash your duvet and pillow at 60 degrees to get them properly clean. 60 degrees is also the temperature that kills house dust mites.
Dry Test – Hand fluff your pillows in between each cycle. The pillows may still be damp inside even though they feel dry to the touch. It's always better to err on the side of more drying time than less.
Use a toothbrush to gently loosen stain debris on your pillow. Dissolve a scoop of oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean or Molly's Suds Oxygen Whitener, in hot water in your bathtub, laundry tub, mop bucket, or sink. Soak your pillow in the solution overnight. Launder and dry the pillow as usual.
Products to Use
Low-sudsing, high-efficiency laundry detergent (liquid or powder) can work just fine on it's own. For tough stains, add in this potent solution with the detergent: 1/2 cup washing soda, 1 cup dishwasher solution, 1 cup bleach (feather pillows excluded – only use a small amount of detergent).
Fill it up with warm water, and add a few drops of your favorite clothing detergent. Only use a very small amount so you don't leave behind any residue. Once the sink or tub is full, submerge the pillow and allow it to soak for 10 minutes.
Over time, bed sheets (especially white ones) might start turning yellow-ish - and that's normal! Bedding may turn yellow for a variety of reasons, such as body fluids, sweat, even the body lotion we use!
To whiten yellow pillows that are heavily soiled, use a quarter cup bleach or quarter cup Borax. Avoid using boiling water to prevent damaging the fibres.” Put your pillow into the soapy water and knead it with your hands gently to allow the detergent to work its way through the material.
The cleaning gurus said: “To whiten yellowed pillows, combine baking soda, white vinegar, laundry detergent, and dish detergent in a small container and mix. “Place the pillow into the washing machine and add the cleaning solution as you usually would during washing.