Pillows can often be smelly and looking a little dingy in late summer, but there is a really simple way to get them looking brand new in just one wash. Late summer tends to be the best time to do a big bedding wash as sweat, body oils and pollen will have likely been absorbed into the fabric.
Even if your pillows seem OK, they can be a breeding ground for dust mites at this time of year and giving them a quick wash will make them much more comfortable to sleep on. However, you do not need to buy or do anything special as Lona Praytor, a cleaning expert and author of Making Lemonade, has shared the easiest way to wash pillows.
She said: “As you know, vinegar is amazing when it comes to cleaning grout and I use it for just about everything. So why not put it to the test with my dirty, yucky pillows? Not only did it work, it pretty much performed miracles.”
It might sound a little silly if you have never tried it before, but white vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners because it contains acetic acid, which can dissolve sweat and any other stains that have built up into the fabric
Sweat can lead to a lot of moisture inside pillows, but acetic acid is also antibacterial and can help kill any mould spores or even dust mites that are beginning to develop.
White vinegar is a simple and more natural way to wash pillows properly so they become fluffier, cleaner and much more breathable to lie on.
How to deep-clean pillows in late summer
To begin, make sure to only wash two pillows at a time since they are quite chunky and adding more can overload the washing machine. Also, make sure to check the label as certain pillows contain laundry instructions.
First, add a little laundry detergent and 120ml of white vinegar to the detergent drawer of your washing machine, where you normally would add fabric softener.
Use the hottest cycle suggest on the pillow label, as this will also help kill bacteria and sweat. Next, put the washing machine on, and once the pillows have been washed, put them on a spin cycle to remove excess moisture.
Finally, hang your pillows up to dry, or if you prefer put them in the tumble dryer but make sure to put them on a low-heat setting. Again, check the care label as certain pillows like foam cannot go in a dryer.
When the pillows have dried they will feel sanitised, refreshed and perfectly plump so you can have a much more comfortable sleep as we head into autumn.
