How to Wash Yellowed Pillows: 3 Tips to Leave Them White as New
Pillows are an essential part of a good night’s sleep, but over time, even the highest-quality pillows can turn yellow due to sweat, body oils, and dust. If your once-bright pillows are now looking dingy and dull, don’t throw them away just yet. With the right methods, you can restore your yellowed pillows and make them look white and fresh again.
Here are 3 effective tips to revive your pillows and bring them back to life.
1. Use the Famous Whitening Formula: Baking Soda + Vinegar + Detergent
This simple yet powerful mix can work wonders on yellow stains and odors.
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1 cup of laundry detergent (liquid or powder)
- Optional: ½ cup of borax or washing soda for extra whitening power
How to do it:
- Remove the pillowcase and place 1-2 pillows in your washing machine.
- Add all the ingredients directly into the drum (not the detergent drawer).
- Run a full hot water cycle. Use the “whites” or “bedding” setting if available.
- Run an extra rinse cycle to remove all residues.
- Dry in direct sunlight or in the dryer with dryer balls to keep them fluffy.
Why it works:
Baking soda and vinegar lift stains and neutralize odors. The detergent removes dirt, and borax boosts the cleaning power.
2. Try a Soaking Method for Deep-Set Yellow Stains
Sometimes a pre-soak is needed for older, more stubborn stains.
Soaking solution:
- Fill a large tub or basin with hot water
- Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide
- Add ½ cup of baking soda
- Add a tablespoon of dish soap (optional)
Instructions:
- Submerge your pillows in the solution.
- Let them soak for 3–5 hours (or overnight for extreme stains).
- Wash the pillows as usual in the washing machine with detergent.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Bonus tip: Flip and squeeze the pillows every hour while soaking to loosen stains evenly.
3. Maintain Whiteness with Regular Washing and Sun Drying
Prevention is key. To avoid deep yellowing in the future:
- Wash pillows every 3–4 months
- Always use pillow protectors under pillowcases
- Air pillows outside in the sun every few weeks – the UV rays naturally bleach and disinfect
- Don’t go to bed with wet hair or heavy facial products, which can speed up yellowing
Drying tip: Add clean tennis balls or dryer balls to the dryer to keep pillows fluffy and evenly dried.
Quick Reference Table
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Baking Soda | Removes odors and mild stains |
| White Vinegar | Breaks down sweat and oils |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Deep stain remover & whitener |
| Laundry Detergent | Cleans and refreshes fabric |
| Borax/Washing Soda | Boosts whitening power |
In Conclusion
You don’t need to replace your yellowed pillows — with the right cleaning techniques, you can make them look and feel like new again. Try these three simple methods and enjoy fresh, white pillows every night.
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