From yellow stains to musty smells, pillows and bedding can start looking less-than-ideal after some time. With the average person spending up to eight hours a night pressed against their pillow, it's no surprise they collect more than just dust. Discolouration is typically caused by sweat, but the build-up can also be caused by moisture from wet hair, leftover lotions, and natural oils.
Author and cleaning expert Carrie Higgins even described pillows as "hotbeds of junk collected in the six to eight hours you spend on them every. Single. Night." But, fortunately, the most effective cleaning method is surprisingly straightfoward and completely natural.
Used correctly, vinegar acts as a powerful natural cleaner, and its high acidity can break down organic build-up like sweat and body oils while also deodorising and eliminating bacteria.
Carrie noted: "As dirty and drooly as my pillows were, I didn't need to run ANY of them through a second time, the vinegar...worked like magic!"
To make sure this method is suitable for you, first check the care label to ensure your pillows are machine-washable - avoid laundering materials like memory foam.
Place two pillows in the drum (to keep the load balanced), add 250ml of white vinegar to the fabric softener drawer, and top it up with your usual detergent.
Wash the pillows on the warmest temperature allowed and use a gentle cycle.
After the wash, run an extra spin to remove any remaining moisture.
For drying, either place the pillows in a dryer on low heat with wool dryer balls to help fluff them up or hang them outside.
Drying them in the sunlight would be ideal, as sunlight naturally lifts lingering stains and helps brighten fabric.
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