There is nothing sadder than watching your favorite white pillow turn yellow. Yellowed pillows look bad and might also carry foul odors and germs. How do you get the yellow out of pillows at home? Specific methods and tips can make your pillow fresh and white again.
Yellowed pillows are a major problem. These stains don’t go away easily. Does a yellow pillow indicate the time for a new one? Buying a new pillow will help you get rid of yellow pillows, but our guide will help you get rid of yellow stains. Do you see the difference? This is how we offer valuable insights and tips for maintaining pillows.
Why do Pillows Turn Yellow?
Yellow stains usually appear when pillows are not washed for years. Washing the pillow cover is not enough because the pillow itself needs a thorough wash. At night, we leave hair, dust particles, body oils, and other debris on the pillow. Some portions get absorbed into the pillow. After some time, we start seeing yellow stains on the pillow.
The basic reason behind the yellow stains is moisture absorbed by the pillow. Sweat, body oils, and dust add to the buildup. It’s normal even for a premium pillow to turn yellow. Yellow stains are more about care and maintenance than the quality of the pillow.
How Do You Get the Yellow out of Pillows?
Now that you are well aware of the factors that cause yellowed bedding accessories, it’s time to restore them to a cleaner state. What if I simply throw the pillow in a washing machine? Yes, you can try it, but what if your pillow was not made for machine washing? Now, you have a lumpy pillow with yellow stains. Instead of turning it into a white pillow, you entirely ruined it.
Pillow care is not just about washing pillows because there are ways to remove yellowing without washing. We will discuss commonly used methods that offer the best results.
How to Remove Yellow Stains from Pillows at Home?
Not all pillows are machine washable; for such products, certain cleaning sprays and items can restore and clean pillows. These tried and tested methods work for pillows and pillow covers.
1. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Baking soda is a fantastic cleaning agent, readily available in every home. Take 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda and add lemon juice to paste. Gently rub the paste on the yellow stains and let it dry for half an hour. Once the paste is dry, clean it with a brush or wet cloth. Let the pillow dry, and the yellow stains will be gone.
This method is only useful when there are distinctive spots on the pillow. If the entire pillow is yellowed, you might have to use extra paste, and removing that paste after drying will also require you to wash the pillow. So, use this method only for small patches or yellow stains.
2. Vinegar Soaks
Prepare a mixture of vinegar with water and follow the 1:1 ratio. Soak the yellowed pillow in the mix of vinegar for a few hours. If the yellow stains are deep, leave it soaked overnight. The chemical reaction of vinegar will remove all stains, including oil, sweat, and dust particles. Remove the pillow and wash it with your hands or machine as per the tag instructions.
Let the pillow dry after washing so that the vinegar smell is gone. Make sure to dry the pillow completely, and you will have a brighter and fresher pillow. This is how do you get the yellow out of pillows with vinegar.
3. Enzyme Cleaners
Organic stains are hard to remove, so you can try enzyme-based sprays and stain removers for pillows, too. These cleaning sprays are easily available at your nearest store. Once sprayed on the stains, leave the pillow for a few hours.
Make sure to read the application instructions on the cleaning product. Once the product is dried and the stain has faded, wash the pillow as recommended and let it dry. This method is mainly used for removing larger stains.
4. Shaving Foam
This is an amazing pillow-cleaning hack that works for most pillows. There is no need to buy extra items, as you can use any quality shaving foam. Generously spray the shaving foam on the stained area and cover the target area with a foam layer. Let the foam settle for a few hours, and then simply clean the foam with a wet cloth.
This pillow cleaning method is best for removing yellow marks without washing. It is better to test the foam spray on a small area. If the results are promising, you can try them on the entire pillow or in your desired location.
5. Use Alcohol
Alcohol and alcohol-based items effectively clean deep stains and marks from different surfaces. Most items and hacks useful for cleaning mattresses are also helpful for pillows. For best results, mix rubbing alcohol, toothpaste, dish soap, and a little bit of soap suds well.
Once the mixture is ready, spray it on the stained pillow and gently rub the spray with a brush. In no time, you will see yellow stains coming off. As this mixture will leave no marks, there is no need to wash the pillow. Let it dry, and you will have a clean, brighter, and fresher pillow for use within hours.
Wash Yellowed Pillows by Hand or Machine
Most online ads for pillow cleaning sprays and products advertise a totally new and brighter pillow after using their product. This may not happen in real life because if the pillow is years old, it will take significant effort to remove the yellow stains.
Using a washing machine to clean pillows is easier, but some cannot be machine-washed. For memory or latex pillows, you can wash them with your hand after soaking them in warm water. For others, add detergent to the machine and let the machine cycle run 2-3 times.
Once the wash cycles are complete, gently remove the excess water and place the pillows flat to dry. If there are still some stains on the pillow, repeat the process after a few days, and you will see promising results.
Tips to keep your Pillows Clean and Brighter
Washing pillows repeatedly can cause lumps or deformation. Pillows should only be washed once or twice a year, while pillow covers can be washed more frequently. Here are some practical tips to prevent yellow pillows.
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Use Pillow Covers
Not every pillow comes with a cover, and they are more prone to dust and stain. Pillow covers are easily available for every size and don’t cost a fortune. Buy a nice pillow cover to add an extra layer of protection against body oils and dust. If the cover gets dirty, you can easily remove it and wash it for a fresh look.
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Wash Cover and Pillow
With proper care and attention to detail, it is safe to wash pillows and pillow covers at home. Washing a pillow after 6-12 months is fine, and pillow covers can be washed every month or whenever you see stains.
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Sun Drying
Exposing your pillows to direct sunlight will keep them germ-free and fresh. Sunlight also dries out oils and moisture and prevents yellow stains. It is also good for removing any odor or bad smell. Instead of worrying about how do you get yellow out of pillows, place in direct sunlight to prevent the issue from happening.
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Replace with new Pillow (When needed)
No pillow is meant to last forever. Good care and maintenance can surely improve the lifespan of pillows, but eventually, a time will come when you will have to replace them. If any of these cleaning hacks are not working on a years-old pillow, consider buying a new one.
Conclusion
Yes, removing the yellow from pillows and making them bright again is possible. But this process will take some time and effort. Professional cleaning services can do the job for you. What’s the point of paying extra when we have provided you with tried-and-tested methods that cost almost nothing? These simple methods can save hundreds and help you understand how do you get the yellow out of pillows.
Yellow pillows need your attention, and we have discussed the methods that work for most products. If you are unsure about the effectiveness of any process, try it for a smaller portion first. Does it work? Now, you are good to make your pillows bright again.
