Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Add 4 tablespoons of white vinegar. Add 4 tablespoons of 70% alcohol. Mix well. Spray the mixture all over the pillow. Wait for at least 30 minutes. Soak the pillow in a bucket with water for one hour. If necessary, add a little neutral detergent on the stain and brush over it.
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. Sunshine is a natural disinfectant. So, leave them outside to air dry and get clean.
Submerge the pillows: Fully submerge them and allow them to soak for 15-20 minutes to loosen any dirt or oils. Wash: Agitate the pillows in the water by squeezing and pressing them. Rinse: Drain the soapy water and refill the basin or bathtub with clean, lukewarm water to rinse the soap from the pillows.
Pillows turn yellow because of sweat. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture. When moisture or sweat remains on the pillow for long periods of time, the pillow will turn yellow.
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 slab-style foam pillows, so Handel suggests skipping the washing machine for these pillows.
Vinegar: White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. It can help kill bacteria and remove odors from your pillows.
The best disinfectant may not be the wash, but the drying process. 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.
The Culprits Behind Yellowing Sheets
Believe it or not, the main culprit behind yellowing white sheets is… well, us! Our bodies produce oils and sweat and shed dead skin cells, which all find their way into the fabric of our sheets.
The sweat, oil, and dead skin cells that turn a pillow yellow can also clog pores and potentially cause skin breakouts. Pillows can also be a source of bacterial buildup over time. We recommend replacing your pillow every one to two years or if it shows signs of excessive discoloration.
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.
Prepare the Washing Machine: Set your machine to a gentle warm wash, and add the recommended amount of Oxygen Brightener and Laundry Soda. The combination of these two products will work to lift and remove the yellowed stains.
Using a toothbrush, apply bleach or vinegar to treat deep yellow stains. Baking soda can also be used to soak up dampness and odor. If you're applying baking soda, give it a day and then shake or gently vacuum up the baking soda. Step 3: Hand wash water-safe pillows in a basin with warm water and gentle detergent.
Use a small amount of detergent to avoid soap residue and clumping. Use the cool or warm water settings since hot water can damage down. Always choose the delicate setting to avoid damaging the fill. Add an extra rinse and spin cycle to remove soap residue and excess water.
Common household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar can be used to eliminate germs and odors. Fluffing pillows, spot cleaning stains, and using steam cleaners or enzyme cleaners are effective cleaning methods.
“It is recommendable to wash pillows once or twice a year. Over time, they accumulate traces of sweat, sebum and dead skin cells, as well as microorganisms like bacteria and dust mites, which is why they should be washed, not just the pillowcases.
Given the time spent sleeping, and the proximity of the pillow to the airway, synthetic and feather pillows could be the primary source of fungi and fungal products. This has important implications for patients with respiratory disease, and especially asthma and sinusitis.
“Wash the pillow in an oversized machine without a center agitator, using warm water and mild detergent on the delicate cycle,” Thornburg says. To dry the down pillow and keep mildew at bay, Thornburg suggests drying the down pillow at a low heat well past the point of the outer material feeling dry.
Vinegar should not be used in laundry when washing clothing with elastic, or when other cleaning ingredients like bleach, ammonia, or baking soda are present.
Once a month, simply use the refresh feature of your washing machine so it can gently steam your pillows. Alternatively, you can also air them outside for a few hours or run through a dryer. These will effectively remove bacteria and restore fluffiness.
You can also refresh your pillow by leaving it out in direct sunlight, weather permitting. Fresh air will circulate through the pillow, which will help fluff it naturally. Not only that, the sun's ultraviolet light will also work to kill bacteria on your pillow.
“Most solid/memory foam pillows are dense and cannot be machine-washed,” cautions Reichert.