And: what to do with a yellowed pillow?
Perhaps you have never thought about it, but washing your pillow is not an unnecessary luxury. Over time, it is full of dead skin cells, bugs and dust mites and their excrement, even with a pillowcase. And can a pillow that turns yellow actually be cleaned? We put the facts in a row!
It’s a job that many people overlook: washing the pillow. Because that pillow might be dirtier than you think. A third of your pillow’s weight could be made up of dead skin cells, bugs and dust mites and their droppings, researchers found. The culprit is perspiration. Some may sweat more than others (causes: menopause, drug use, high body temperature) but everyone sweats to some degree during the night.
By sweating, your body regulates its temperature: you lose the heat that you do not need. That moisture is a food source for swarming bacteria. House dust mites also like to settle in your pillows.
How often should I wash?
Most pillows are made of cotton, synthetic, or filled with down. These can be put in the washing machine. Always check the care label first. Wash the cushions on a gentle cycle with warm water and a small amount of detergent. Washing your pillow once every two months should be sufficient. However, if you suffer from house dust mite allergies, it is better to wash the pillows monthly.
A yellow pillow: what now?
Suddenly you see: your pillow has turned yellow! Sometimes the stains disappear in the washing machine, but sometimes something more is needed. Yellowed pillows are not pleasing to the eye. It is also not so fresh to sleep on it. Pillows turn yellow from perspiration. Another reason to put it in the washing machine! But what if it stays yellow?
1. You can get a pillow extra white by washing it in the washing machine with a mixture consisting of a cap of detergent, a cap of bleach and half a cap of borax powder. (kind of salt that dissolves in water, available at the drugstore) Source: Wikihow
2. Another winning formula: one cup of liquid dishwashing detergent, three-quarters cup filled with cleaning soda, and one-half cup white vinegar, a regular dose of laundry detergent, and three cups hot water. Put the pillow together with this eccentric mixture in the machine and run a hot wash. Source: Lifestyle tips
3. Put your pillow(s) in the washing machine and soak them first (many machines have a soak program) in a mixture of one cup of water peroxide and half a cup of vinegar. Peroxide is a natural bleaching agent, the vinegar tackles deep-set stains. You can then wash the cushions using a normal program, possibly using a stain remover. Source: Popsugar
Note: With some cheaper washing machines, the use of vinegar is not recommended as it can damage the machine. Before you try this, read the manual of your own washing machine.
Is your pillow still not clean? Or have you had it for a while and is it ready to be replaced? Then it is a good idea to buy a new pillow. Here you will find our article: 7 tips for buying a pillow.
Do you have your own tips for cleaning your pillow, then post a comment!
