First, wash your pillow according to the care instructions on its care tag or brand website. Then, check if your pillow is still stained or smells like mildew or is too flat to support your head. If any of these are true and your pillow is one to two years old, it's definitely time to throw away your yellow pillow.
Yup, they're safe to use. You can wash them (either by hand, or unstuff, wash the covers, and restuff), or sun/air them out and beat them some to get dust out.
And if your pillow has enough moisture buildup to turn yellow, then it's probably safe to assume there are other not-so-nice things lurking, too: dust mites, allergens and even bacteria (that's right, moisture makes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria).
Vinegar soaks: Submerge the yellowed pillows in a mixture of warm water and vinegar (1:1 ratio) for a few hours or overnight. After soaking, wash the pillows in the washing machine with a mild detergent to remove any remaining vinegar smell.
Pillows start to turn yellow due to a variety of factors, most of which involve the accumulation of moisture. Sweat, drool, wet hair, and even skincare products can contribute to yellow stains on a pillow.
Pillows turn yellow due to sweat, oils, and moisture buildup over time. Regular cleaning and using protective pillowcases can help prevent this discoloration and extend the life of your pillows. To keep your bedding fresh and comfortable, it's essential to address these factors.
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. Wash the Pillows: Place your pillows in the washing machine.
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.
White vinegar: Add 1 cup of white vinegar to your washing machine during the rinse cycle while washing your pillowcases. This can help remove yellowing and brighten the fabric. Sunlight: After washing the pillowcases, hang them out to dry in direct sunlight.
The white vinegar dislodges any oils left in the fibres and the baking soda is a natural whitening solution. Avoid using bleach, as this could actually make the yellowing worse. For very old stains, it may be better to soak the pillowcases in white vinegar overnight.
In general, replacing your pillows every one to two years is recommended. However, the lifespan of your pillow actually depends on what type of pillow you have and how well you take care of it. Pillows can be made from a variety of materials, like: Memory foam/other forms of polyurethane foam.
This is due to the fact that pillows can become really nasty over time. They can accumulate germs, dirt, sweat, and oils, making them a real problem for those with sensitive skin. In addition, allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and even mold can build up within them when used for very long periods of time.
Due to the construction of memory foam, exposing it to the agitation of a washer and dryer will cause the foam to break apart. So yes, you can wash a memory foam pillow, but no, you cannot do so in the washing machine. However, a vacuum cleaner can be used to clean a memory foam pillow quickly and with ease.
Sebum: The Main Culprit
Waking up to an oily and stained pillowcase with those telltale brownish-yellow spots is a shared experience among many of us. The culprit? Sebum, the natural oil produced by our bald heads. While our hair usually absorbs these oils, without them, they end up on our pillowcases.
Common allergy symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing and eyes that are itchy and/or watering in the morning could all be that irritants in your pillow or other bedding are triggering an allergic reaction, says Hanna.
Over time, pillows collect dust mite droppings, dead skin cells, pet hair, pollen, and other airborne particles that can trigger allergies and respiratory problems. Bacterial Breeding Ground: Old pillows can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially when exposed to moisture from sweat and saliva.
Pillows turn yellow over time because of moisture absorbed from your face and body. Yellow pillows are easy to clean and even easier to prevent. Yellow pillows are safe to sleep on, but should be replaced if they show signs or wear or turn mostly yellow or brown.
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.
Why does a pillow turn yellow? The leading cause for pillows yellowing is moisture, so natural body oils, going to bed with wet hair, and freshly applied body lotion can all be to blame. The other main cause of pillow discoloration is sweat.
While it is possible for a pillow to last 10 years with proper care, it is not recommended. Pillows can lose their shape and support over time, which can affect your sleep quality and lead to discomfort.
The Good Housekeeping Institute says that your sheets should be changed at least once every two weeks. However, if you suffer with night sweats or allergies such as asthma, it's worth washing them weekly to get rid of any grime or potential irritants and keep your sleeping space fresh and clean.
One method is soaking the pillowcases in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Another method is to use lemon juice and sunlight to naturally bleach the fabric. A third option is to use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to remove stains and whiten the fabric.
It's not just sweat that can cause that nasty yellow stain, other sources of moisture such as going to bed with wet hair or drooling throughout the night also contribute. Chemicals such as hair product, makeup and other types of skin products can also pillow discolouration.
Mattresses can turn yellow due to natural processes such as sweat from the human body, skin rashes and friction from clothes. Such stains accumulate over time and form noticeable yellow stains on the surface of the mattress. Sweating in particular is the main cause of yellow stains on the mattress.