Most of us have mastered the routine of throwing our bed sheets in the wash every week or so. But when it comes to duvets and pillows, things are rarely so simple. Their bulk makes them difficult to clean at home, and few people relish the thought of lugging bedding to a dry cleaner. The result is that these everyday items are often neglected for months, allowing bacteria, allergens, and dust to quietly build up.
But cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, known to her 300,000 Instagram followers as the Queen of Clean, has revealed a simple trick that can leave duvets and pillows fresh and germ-free, without touching a washing machine.
Her advice is to make use of something free and readily available.
“On a beautiful, bright, sunny day, get your duvet out on the washing line,” Crombie said in a video.
“The sun is a natural disinfectant, so it will help to kill germs and bacteria.” She adds that all you really need is a “robust washing line” to hold the weight of a heavy duvet.
The same method works for pillows, which can be left outside in direct sunlight for a few hours. Crombie suggests adding a spritz of fabric spray for an extra burst of freshness and covering them with quilted pillow protectors, which should be washed at least twice a month.
Done regularly, this can “eliminate the need to wash your pillows altogether.”
For stubborn stains, particularly yellowing that can occur over time, Crombie recommends spot-cleaning with hydrogen peroxide followed by a gentle rinse. However, she warns that not all pillows can be soaked.
While some synthetic versions may survive a bath treatment, feather and foam pillows should never be submerged in water.
The method is not only convenient but eco-friendly.
Sunshine and fresh air reduce the need for energy-intensive washes, while the natural UV rays of sunlight act as a mild disinfectant. For households looking to cut back on water and electricity bills, or anyone struggling with limited washing machine capacity, it’s a practical alternative.
A few hours outdoors could be all it takes to restore bedding to a fresh, hygienic state, proving that the best cleaning hacks can often be found in nature itself.
