Mold or mildew on pillows not only looks disgusting but can also pose serious health issues. For an older pillow with a thick layer of mold, throwing it in the bin is the best idea.
How to get mold out of pillows that you recently bought? Sometimes, pillows are exposed to water or liquids, and you detect mold on pillows at the early stage. Disposing a hundred-dollar pillow due to a few lines of mold is not a wise move.
How to Detect Mold or Mildew on Pillows?
Keeping your pillows or bedding accessories clean does not take much. Pillows don’t even require regular maintenance. You just have to act when you see mold attacking pillows.
Mold and mildew on pillows thrive due to lack of ventilation and damp surfaces. Here are some signs to detect mold and mildew on pillows:
- Green, black, white, or yellow coloring or lines on the pillow surface
- Fuzzy and fluffy texture
- Earthy, musty, and irritating smell
- Stains that seem permanent
Should you ignore the mold and use the pillow as it is? That would be a mistake, as mold can lead to skin allergies, unpleasant odors, and respiratory issues.
How to Get Mold out of Pillows?
Removing mold from pillows does not require professional help or experience. All the ingredients required to get rid of mold are usually available in a common household.
Method 1: Machine Wash Pillow to Remove Mold
Washing the pillow in hot water will remove the mold. This might be true if your pillow is new and you notice mold growth in its early stages. However, for a thicker layer of mold, it is advised to take this problem seriously.
Step 1: Check the Pillow Label
The pillow tag includes washing and care instructions. According to the company’s recommendations, check whether you can wash the pillow in the machine or if you need an alternative cleaning method.
Step 2: Pre-treat the Mold and Stains
Simply tossing the infected pillow in the machine will make things worse. First, you need to treat the affected area with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solution. There are many other readily available solutions on the market that can help treat mold or mildew.
Once you have sprayed the solution on the affected area, let it sit for almost 30 minutes. This will allow the solution to reach the roots of the mold and make the wash cycle more effective.
Step 3: Machine Wash Pillow
Using a heavy-duty detergent will do a better job of washing a mold-infected pillow. While washing a pillow with mold, it is better not to throw other items in the machine. Use warm water and let the machine run for a complete cycle.
To maintain the balance of the machine, more infected pillows can be tossed in the same cycle. Don’t wash a clean and infected pillow in the same cycle.
Step 4: Dry Washed Pillow
Check if the mold stains are gone and the pillow is neat and clean. If needed, don’t be afraid to let another cycle run. Use the automatic dryer to dry the pillow. Place a pillow in direct sunlight and open air for better results for a day or two.
Method 2: Use Chemicals and Hand-Wash Pillows with Mold
Memory pillows and some other types of pillows are not safe for machine washing. According to the company’s recommendations, it is better to wash these pillows by hand. This is undoubtedly a time-consuming process, but it is worth it.
While washing pillows by hand, always wear gloves and take safety precautions. Although mold is not that reactive, keeping your hands covered will offer peace of mind.
Use Chemical Pillow Cleaning Sprays
Instead of making pillow-cleaning solutions at home, you can simply buy pillow-cleaning sprays. These sprays are more effective and convenient than homemade solutions.
Clean the pillow with a soft brush to remove dust and the outer layer of mold. If the mold is not on the pillow cover, things will be much easier. But mold on the pillow itself is the real issue here.
Spray the infected area with a cleaning solution.
Once the pillow is clean, spray the cleaning solution on the infected area—it is better to spray the entire pillow. Let the solution sit in and rub the pillow with a soft brush before it is completely dry. You will see a clear difference after this step.
Once the mold layer is removed, take a damp towel and thoroughly clean the pillow. Now, leave it in the open air for a few hours to dry. A fully dried, fresh pillow is ready to use without any signs of mold or mildew.
Method 3- Common Household Remedies to Remove Mold from Pillows
Home remedies and tricks are sometimes more effective than expensive chemicals and detergents. Here is how to remove mold from a pillow with homemade solutions.
Removing Mold from Machine Washable Pillows
- Set the machine to slow-spin settings
- Pour some warm water and mild detergent into the tub
- To remove the odor of the pillow, add half a cup of baking soda to the tub
- Mix one cup of white vinegar to eliminate the mold
- Thoroughly rinse the pillow so that all detergents are fully removed
Removing Mold from Pillow by Hand
- If the pillow cover is removable, remove it and wash the pillow in a tub.
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil and a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the tub
- Put the pillow in the tub and then gently rub it with a brush
- Once clean, rinse it thoroughly and let it dry
Conclusion- How to Get Mold out of Pillows
Do you have any smart idea that worked for you to remove mold from a pillow? Don’t forget to share your ideas with the community. If you want to learn more about pillow reviews and other pillow care maintenance tips, explore our blog.
A thorough machine wash with mild detergent, homemade solutions, or cleaning sprays can remove mold from pillows. Always remember that if the situation seems bad, throw the pillow away because nothing is more important than your health.
