Perspiration is the first factor that alters the color of pillows. By spending an average of 3,000 hours a year with your head on the pillow, this accessory ends up absorbing a significant amount of sweat and saliva. Often difficult to remove with ordinary detergent, these yellowish stains can disappear thanks to a 100% natural trick. We tell you everything.
Taking care of your bedding is essential to ensure a good rest. If it is advisable to change the sheets every week, the pillows cannot wait any longer and should be cleaned every 6 months, at least. Real breeding grounds for bacteria and mites, it is also advisable to replace them every three years.
What trick to adopt to remove sweat stains from pillows?
The body fluids that pass through the fabric of your pillow daily are the main culprits of its yellowing. Thanks to this simple and effective trick, you can enjoy clean, white and scented pillows.
- Mix Tea Tree Oil and Baking Soda to Whiten Pillows
One of the most effective methods to remove yellow stains from a pillow is to combine two essential ingredients: baking soda and tea tree essential oil. On the one hand, baking soda will clean and remove difficult stains from fabrics, on the other hand, tea tree essential oil will be able to deeply disinfect the pillow. To do this, simply mix 100 g of baking soda and a tablespoon of essential oil in a container, before applying the mixture to the pillow. Leave it on for about 45 minutes. Once this time has passed, rub the surface of the fabric vigorously before putting it in the washing machine.
Other tips for whitening yellowed pillows
In addition to the above advice, other solutions can be considered to maintain the pillows and revive their white color. Whatever ingredient you choose to wash with, you should check the label on your clothes beforehand.
- Using laundry detergent and borax to remove yellow stains from pillows
To have pillows like new, you can clean them with a mixture of borax and detergent. Borax is known for its whitening and disinfecting properties . Before you begin, soak your pillows in a tub of hot water. Then prepare the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of washing powder;
- 1 cup of dishwasher detergent;
- 1 cup of white vinegar;
- ½ cup of borax.
Then dilute the ingredients in water and leave for half an hour. Then place the pillows in the drum of the machine and run a full wash cycle. It is possible to dry pillows at low temperatures by adding tennis balls to the dryer. This action will help maintain the shape of your pillows.
- Clean the pillows with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and lemon.
Another trick to clean and whiten yellowed pillows is to mix lemon with hydrogen peroxide. To do this, soak the pillows in a large volume of hot water. Then add the juice of 10 lemons and then double this volume in hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide, often used to lighten hair, will have the same effect on pillow fabrics. Lemon juice will have a strong whitening and antibacterial power. It will also leave a sweet citrus scent on your pillow.
- Wash yellowed pillows with sodium percarbonate.
Like baking soda, percarbonate helps whiten sweat-stained pillows. Add half a cup of this cleaner to your regular laundry, in the washing machine compartment dedicated for this purpose. This white powder is an excellent whitening agent. It will perfectly complement the action of your laundry and whiten your pillows, eliminating all bad perspiration odors.
As you can see, there are a thousand and one ways to remove sweat stains from pillows. To prevent its appearance, get a pillow protector that you place between the cushion and the cover. The latter will provide additional protection for your pillow while keeping it cleaner and whiter.