How to remove yellow stains from pillows

Pillows are the real MVPs on our beds – they keep our heads elevated at just the right angle, cosy and warm. But they’re also the items that often get overlooked. A quick pillowcase change is what most pillows experience as cleaning and maintenance (okay, I’m very guilty of this, too). To be fair, our pillows go through a lot (sweat, make-up residue, facial oils, dead skin, etc.) and therefore deserve to be looked after properly.

Use our ultimate guide to learn exactly how to remove yellow stains from pillows, and keep them hygienic and perfectly fluffed throughout the year.

How to remove yellow stains from pillows

Removing yellow stains (from sweat, make-up residue, facial oil, bacteria, mites and dead skin) from pillows is a pretty straightforward process. The only complicated bit might be that it could take a couple of repeats to get it looking bright and clean again.

Professionals recommend you wash your pillows every 3 to 6 months and air them out at least once a week. This not only keeps them bright and fluffy but also rids them of a potentially hazardous buildup of harmful bacteria, dust mites and other creatures, which can contribute to allergies and asthma.

How to wash pillows

• For regular washes/maintenance, use the hot and gentle setting on your washing machine
• Use mild liquid detergent and avoid fabric softeners
• Wash at least 2 pillows at a time to balance the load
• Add an extra rinse to the cycle
• Air-dry them in indirect sunlight on a flat surface to maintain their shape (or, if your pillow’s care instructions allow, tumble dry)

Our step-by-step guide for removing yellow stains

While professionals recommend you regularly wash pillows in hot water, the opposite is true for removing stains. Hot water is recommended for regular washing because it kills harmful bacteria and dust mites. However, when it comes to stains, the colder the water, the better, as hot water may set them, making them permanent.

What you’ll need:

• Hydrogen peroxide or your go-to tough stain remover in a spray bottle
• Enzymatic detergent (this helps to break down tough stains)
• Distilled white vinegar (helps sanitise naturally and get rid of odours)
• Bicarbonate of soda (this helps neutralise odours and brighten the colour)

How to remove yellow stains from pillows

1. Remove the pillowcase and read the pillow’s care instruction label. This will identify any chemicals or washing methods to avoid before you begin.
2. Liberally spray the hydrogen peroxide onto all the stains on the pillow. Let this soak for a good 10 to 15 minutes. You can leave the pillow in the sun for stubborn stains.
3. Pop at least 2 pillows into the washing machine (up to 4 in a top loader). Sprinkle 1/2 cup of bicarbonate of soda onto the pillows in the drum.
4. Pour 1/2 cup of detergent into the soap tray. If you want, you can also add 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar to the slot that usually takes fabric softener.
5. Choose the cold and gentle wash setting, adding an extra rinse cycle on the washing machine.
6. Once cleaned, add an extra spin cycle if the pillows are still waterlogged.
7. Air-dry the pillows on a flat surface in indirect sunlight or a warm room, flipping them and fluffing them out every so often. If the care label allows, you may also tumble dry the pillows.
8. Replace the pillowcase and sleep soundly.

How to know when your pillows need to be replaced

• The pillow does not fluff back up properly
• If you fold it in half and it does not bounce back to a flat position
• The interior is lumpy
• Regular washing does not remove stains

Also See: Tried and tested: The best way to lift grease stains from clothes, aprons, and tea towels