When you remove your pillowcase to find yellow stains on your pillow, it can be incredibly upsetting. Although there may be many reasons why this happened, like sweat, oil or just the fact that they have aged, these stains can feel impossible to remove. What you may not realise, however, is that you don’t have to throw the entire pillow out or use a professional cleaning service to get your pillow back to that bright white glow that it once had. You can use many items that you have in your home already, including baking soda, white vinegar and lemon juice to help you clean off your pillows. We will list for you some easy homemade cleaning solutions that will help you get rid of the smell and help to restore your yellowed pillow to a beautiful, bright white colour.
Why do your pillows turn yellow
Ever wondered how that pristine white pillow goes from bright white, clean, and fresh to ‘dingy’ or yellowish over time? The most common reason for this change is moisture, specifically from the sweat and natural oils your body releases while you sleep. Both the pillow case and the pillow will eventually absorb these fluids through constant contact. This discolouration is also caused by buildup from skin care products, lotions, or sleeping with damp hair from skin care products that you used on your skin before you went to bed, any lotions you applied, and/or wet hair after having recently taken a shower. These stains develop gradually as the materials break down chemically (i.e., oxidise) and become ‘set’ by being subject to air over time, creating difficult-to-remove stains that regular light washing alone may not be able to remove. Realising that these types of stains are deep-into-the-fabric protein and oil stains allows you to understand the reason you need to use particular homemade acidic or alkaline agents to break down the stains and restore the brightness of the fabric.
Baking soda and white vinegar to remove yellow stains from a pillow
One of the best methods for eliminating odours and removing mild yellowing from pillows.Method: Create a thick paste using 1/2 cup of baking soda and a small amount of water.Process steps:
- 1. Apply the paste directly onto the darkest stains of the pillow and let it set for 30 minutes.
- 2. Wash your pillow using a warm water cycle in your washing machine.
- 3. Add a rinse cycle to your wash cycle to ensure there is no lingering scent of vinegar on your pillow after washing.
How does lemon juice and sunlight remove yellow stains from a pillow
If your pillows are yellowed due to age, citrus and UV rays make an excellent alternative to bleach.Method: Mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts warm water.Process steps:
- 1. Spray the lemon solution onto the yellowed areas of your pillow until they are slightly dampened.
- 2. Place your pillow in bright, direct sunlight for 2–3 hours, allowing the ultraviolet rays to work with the citric acid in the lemon solution to naturally whiten the fabric.
- 3. Normally, wash your pillow after drying outside to remove any remaining sticky residue left from the lemon juice.
How to prevent the yellow return on pillows
Use pillow protectors: Be sure to use pillow protectors; a zippered pillow protector creates a waterproof barrier to protect against sweat and/oil.Wash seasonally: You don’t have to wait for the yellow on your pillows; washing once every 3 months will keep your pillows looking clean and bright.Dry completely: Thoroughly dry your pillows; don’t put a damp pillow back onto your bed because it can lead to mildew and new stains.
