Cleaning a yellowed pillow: ultra-effective methods

Over time, pillows turn yellow. An inevitable process even when using pillowcases. So how do you recover a yellowed pillow? Is it possible to de-yellow all types of pillows? Are there ways to slow down this yellowing? Here is a complete guide to maintaining the whiteness of pillows, whether they are synthetic, feather or memory foam pillows.

Several reasons can explain why does a pillow turn yellow over time, with sweating being the most common cause.

Why is my pillow yellow?

If you tend to sweat at night, your pillow will yellow more quickly due to moisture penetrating the fabrics. Saliva can also cause yellowing of a cushion, all of these fluids being directly absorbed by the pillow.

This process may be delayed by protecting your cushions with pillow protectorsaccessories that we don’t necessarily think about washing as often as pillowcases. Gold, a yellowed pillow can become a real nest for bacteria and miteswhich appreciate humidity. Several simple and effective methods allow you to restore the original whiteness and cleanliness of a yellow pillow.

Also read – Dirty mattress protector: 4 effective tips for whitening a yellowed mattress pad

How to whiten a yellowed pillow?

1 – Put a pillow in the washing machine: yes, but be careful!

First method: the washing machine. Be careful, however, check your pillow labelto find out if it can be machine washed or not. Feather pillows and some synthetic pillows can usually be put in the washing machine. However, we do not recommend washing memory foam pillows in the machine, as this could deform the foam that serves as their filling. (There are other ways to clean a memory foam pillow, which we detail below.) If the label on your pillow specifies that it can be cleaned in the washing machine, choose the hottest program (90 degrees) to best eliminate stains.

If your cushion is very dirtyyou can also let it soak overnight in a basin of hot water, mixed with a cup of bleach and a cup of soda crystals. Then put your pillow in the washing machine.

After washing, prefer dry your pillow outdoors. Otherwise, use the air dry option on your dryer for feather or down pillows, as well as a low temperature for synthetic pillows, to avoid distorting the filling.

Limit the number of pillows washed at one time : For effective cleaning, do not put more than two pillows in the washing machine at a time.

Use the rinse plus option : If this option is available on your machine, use it to further whiten your pillow and increase cleaning efficiency.

2 – Sodium percarbonate or baking soda to whiten a yellowed pillow

Le percarbonate de sodium is a great way to give whiteness to a yellowed pillow. Simply add half a cup directly to your washing machine to benefit from its detergent properties. You can also let the cushion soak in a basin of hot water and sodium percarbonate, before running a washing machine if necessary.

Baking soda also offers similar results. Mix half a cup of it and half a cup of white vinegar in boiling water, then soak your pillow in this solution. Let it sit for a good hour, then run a normal wash cycle with your washing machine.

3 – Lemon juice to clean a dirty pillow

Tip #3 against yellowing pillows : lemon juice, often used in natural household products for its ability to clean and whiten fabrics.

To recover a yellowed pillow with lemon juice, there are several solutions:

• Add the juice of a whole lemon directly to the detergent drawer of your washing machine.
• If the pillow is very dirty, boil 2.5 liters of water, add the juice of 6 lemons and place the pillow in this solution for 2 hours. Then wash it with your usual detergent.
• Mix 250 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 125 ml of lemon juice, pour this mixture into boiling water and immerse the pillow for 1 hour. Then put it in the washing machine, with your usual detergent.

4 – Last tip for whitening a yellow pillow or cushion: the sun!

To give whiteness to a pillowa simple solution: hang them out in the sun after washing. UV rays promote whitening of fabrics, while helping to eliminate dust mites.

Also read – Why sleep with a pillow between your knees?

Wash a feather pillow

Feather pillows high quality can be machine washed, without the risk of their filling becoming deformed. For others, prefer hand washing, using the techniques described in this article (lemon juice, sodium percarbonate or baking soda). To maintain the fluffiness of a feather pillow for longer, it is recommended to favor goose and duck feathersfeathers obviously from breeding intended for consumption and controlled without live plumage.

Cleaning a memory foam pillow

Pour maintaining a memory foam pillowwhich is therefore better to avoid machine washing, prefer to opt for a removable cover model and wash the cover every week, in order to maintain an optimal level of hygiene. It is also recommended touse a pillow protector which forms an additional barrier against mites.

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