The discolored cushions give the impression that they are much more worn than they actually are. It is possible to get rid of the spots, and there is a reasonable explanation as to how they came about in the first place. Even if you change your sheets and pillowcases regularly, when was the last time you paid some attention to the yellow stains on your pillows? We'll tell you how you can get yellowed pillows white again!
What causes pillows to yellow?
Yellowing of pillows can be caused by a number of factors, but sweat is by far the most common cause of these stains. Some people sweat a lot more while sleeping than others. The more a person sweats, the more moisture penetrates through the pillowcase and onto the pillow, making the stains even more noticeable. And when you consider how many hours our head and face rest on the pillow, the cumulative effect is clear to see.
In addition to sweat, it is possible that the problem is also your hair: especially if it is particularly oily or if you often go to bed with wet or damp hair. There is a possibility that the yellow spots were caused by certain cosmetics and skin care products. It's also possible that it's drool. Most discoloration can be avoided if you use a waterproof pillowcase before placing your pillowcase on it.
Even the highest quality pillows can become discolored over time. But with a little know-how about removing stains, especially sweat stains, you canthese yellow spotspermanently remove from your pillows.
Turn yellowed pillows white again in the washing machine
Before washing your pillows this way, be sure to check the care labels attached to the pillows. In most cases, polyester pillows can be washed in the washing machine, while memory foam pillows require a different method.
You need:
- 120 ml dishwashing liquid
- 60 ml vinegar
- 70 g washing soda
- 1 tbsp detergent
- 1 container
- Dryer balls
Washing soda, vinegar, laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid should be mixed in a compact container before using to bleach and whiten yellowed pillows. Place the pillow in the washing machine and then apply the cleaning solution as you would with clothing. Due to the consistency of this cleaner, it tends to stick to the fabric of the pillow, requiring an additional wash cycle. To remove the residue, you should run the wash cycle again, but this time only with hot water.
This method, which is not only easy to perform but also very efficient, is excellent for removing sweat stains from pillows. YellowStains are easy to remove, and then you can tumble dry the pillows. Also, throw a few tennis balls or dryer balls into the machine to speed up the drying process. As the pillows dry, the balls provide even heating and give them a fluffier appearance. Dry the pillow on the lowest heat setting.
How to remove yellow stains from pillows by hand washing
To remove yellow stains from pillows that cannot be machine cleaned, the following steps are required:
- Apply detergent to the stains to make them easier to remove.
- Allow the product to take effect - 15 minutes - 1 hour, depending on the age and severity of the stain.
- In a shallow bowl or bucket, mix some hot water and gentle liquid detergent to make a cleaning solution.
- Gently scrub the stain with a toothbrush or cloth dipped in the detergent solution.
- When the stain is mostly gone, repeat the process by gently wiping your pillow with the damp cloth to remove the soap and residue. However, this time use water that does not contain detergents.
- It may take several applications, but eventually the discoloration should disappear.
- Either pat the pillow dry with a towel or allow it to air dry until completely dry.
Baking soda and vinegar for sparkling white pillows
In most cases, bed pillows filled with materials such as down, feathers, or memory foam should not be submerged in water. The following description will show you how to use pillowsclean with a DIY stain removercan to get them white.
Apply some baking soda to the discolored area and scrub the stains with an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar. Use a cloth dampened with water to remove the unpleasant residue. You can also put the vinegar in a spray bottle and use it to apply vinegar to the baking soda at the same time. The combination of baking soda and vinegar is a powerful weapon that can eliminate a variety of stains on a variety of surfaces.
Get the pillow clean again with borax or bleach
The first thing to keep in mind is that the longer the stains are allowed to remain, the harder they will be to remove. This means that you should go ahead and clean the cushions as soon as you notice any form of yellowing and that you should not put it off any longer than necessary.
Regardless of whether your pillows have stains or not, you should wash them at least twice a year. You've no doubt taken a look at the label and followed the care instructions - for example, how to wash the pillow in the washing machine (and whether that's even possible). To remove stains, you should do the same but add 120ml of bleach and 140g of borax in addition to your regular detergent. Then wash and dry the pillow according to the included instructions.