We have all found ourselves faced with pillows that turn yellow some time after purchasing them. When this situation occurs and simply washing the pillows does not give a satisfactory result, most families think of getting rid of them. If you are currently in this situation, don’t throw them away just yet. There is an effective way to remove stains without much effort. It consists of mixing 4 products that you already have in your pantry. Find out here why your pillows turn yellow, how to remove these stains and how to prevent this phenomenon.
Why do pillows turn yellow?
A stained pillow is not an anomalous phenomenon. It is simply due to the accumulation of certain elements that enter you during sleep. These include, among others:
- the sweat;
- saliva ;
- oil in the hair;
- body oil.
Stains on pillows, however, are unsightly and can cause feelings of discomfort if they are not removed. Worse, it can affect your sleep quality or health due to the bacteria and allergens that grow there.
It is also possible for dust mites to appear on your pillows if you don’t fix the problem quickly. When you are around these pests, you may experience allergic reactions or skin rashes (due to humidity).
It is therefore essential to proceed as soon as possible to eliminate yellow stains on cushions to avoid various inconveniences.
What should you use to remove yellow stains from pillows?
The trick here is to combine four products already available at home. Regard :
- laundry detergent;
- dishwasher detergent,
- borax;
- bleach.
To use them, you need to take one cup of each product, except borax. For this last ingredient, only half a cup will be enough.
Removing yellow stains from pillows: how to proceed?
The first step in the process is to soak the pillow using warm water and the four products above.
If you have a washing machine with a soak function, use it to do this. If not, you can use the bathtub by filling it with hot water and soaking the pillow in it.
Another solution is to boil water, pour it into a large container and immerse the pillow in it.
Then leave the pillow in the water for at least an hour. You can turn it after 30 minutes so that both sides absorb the mixture which will act on the yellow stains.
For the second step, you will need to wash the pillow, always with hot water. It is important to rinse the pillow after washing for the process to be complete.
The last step will be to dry the pillow in the open air or in the dryer. In the latter case, you should normally be able to read the correct setting for drying the pillow on its label. If you can’t find it, dry it on low heat.
Warning: before putting the pillow in the washing machine, you must check the label whether it can be washed in the washing machine or not.
How to reduce the risk of yellow stains appearing on pillows?
The white of the cushions will sooner or later end up being dull or dirty, but it is possible to delay this by adopting simple daily gestures.
You can start by covering your pillows with pillowcases. This gesture acts as protection and prevents sweat, oil and saliva from depositing directly on the pillow.
You can also use a satin cap to cover your hair before sleeping. This will prevent the oil from ending up on the pillow.
As for body oils, get into the habit of using them a few hours before bed. Your skin will be so dry since it will have had time to absorb them.