Pillows tend to discolour and stain yellow because of sweat. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow, including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture. When moisture or sweat remains on the pillow for long periods of time, the pillow will turn yellow. Yellowed pillows not only look unappealing but can also harbour dust mites and allergens, affecting your sleep quality and overall well-being.
Instead of throwing them into the washing machine or soaking them in the bathtub with bleach, which then requires hours to dry, there is another cleaning method to use. Cleaning and laundry expert Zachary Pozniak took to his Instagram @jeeves_ny to share an “easier” solution.
The laundry pro claimed that all you need is water and hydrogen peroxide to “whiten yellowed pillows”.
He noted that you can use dish soap as well, but it’s not essential, as this would work the same without it.
Zachary said, “Whitening yellowed pillows is easier than you think! Wipe with dish soap (optional) and water.”
Allow it to soak into the fabric for about 10 minutes before lightly rinsing it out.
The expert continued: “Rinse with a damp towel. Spray hydrogen peroxide and air dry in the shade (not in sunlight!). Repeat the hydrogen peroxide step. Bright pillows, no chlorine bleach (hydrogen peroxide is known as colour-safe bleach).”
Hydrogen peroxide can be an effective bleach alternative for whitening yellowed pillows and is thought to be a more natural option.
Benefits of using hydrogen peroxide in laundry include whitening whites, brightening colours, removing stains and odours, and disinfecting your washing machine.
Hydrogen peroxide comes in a range of strengths. For this cleaning tip, it’s recommended to use the 3% solution.
Beyond laundry, hydrogen peroxide can help you disinfect, sanitise, deodorise, and clean around your home.