To avoid health problems and especially to keep them in perfect condition, it is recommended to clean the cushions at least once a month. Pillows are one of those household items that require special care to remain hygienic and suitable for regular use.
You don’t need detergent to whiten yellowed and stained pillows!
Cushions absorb sweat and dirt particles, creating a perfect environment for mites and bacteria. And although they are usually covered with a protective cover, it is inevitable that they will eventually acquire brown stains and unpleasant odors. However, it is wise to consider some cleaning and disinfection measures that will contribute to a better appearance with little effort.
Here are the 4 best tips to naturally whiten yellowed pillows at least once a month.
- Baking soda and vinegar
A mixture of baking soda and white vinegar creates an all-natural product, perfect for brightening and softening pillow fabrics. These ingredients have antibacterial and whitening properties that make it easier to remove dirt and sweat stains. That’s according to this study from the University of Iowa.
Ingredients
8 tablespoons of baking powder (80 g)
½ cup of white vinegar (125 ml)
Preparation
Place the pillows in the washing machine and add baking soda and white vinegar.
Let the cycle finish, then let them dry in the sun.
- Hot water and lemon juice
It’s no secret that fresh lemon juice is one of the most effective antibacterial and disinfectant agents that nature offers us, as confirmed by this study from the University of Benin (Nigeria). It is therefore not surprising that it is also one of the best allies to leave pillows fresh and impeccable.
Ingredients
Juice of 6 lemons
2 ½ liters of water (10 cups)
Preparation
Heat the water and when it boils add the juice of 6 fresh lemons.
Gently immerse the pillow, adding more water if necessary, until it is completely covered.
Soak for 2 hours, rinse and let dry in the sun.
- Baking soda and tea tree essential oil
By combining two ingredients such as baking soda and tea tree essential oil, we can create a natural cleaning product to take care of our pillows. This product facilitates the removal of yellow stains and, thanks to its antibacterial action, eliminates mites and bacteria.
Ingredients
½ cup baking powder (80 g)
10 drops tea tree essential oil
Preparation
Place the baking soda in a bowl and mix it with the tea tree essential oil.
After obtaining a homogeneous product, spread it on the pillow and let it sit for 45 minutes.
After this time, rinse and dry in the sun.
- Hydrogen peroxide and lemon
By mixing hydrogen peroxide and lemon, you get a homemade antimicrobial with powerful active ingredients that removes sweat and saliva stains from white pillows.
Ingredients
½ cup lemon juice (125 ml)
1 cup hydrogen peroxide (250 ml)
Preparation
Add the ingredients to a bucket of warm water and soak the pillow for an hour.
After the specified time, rinse in the normal washing machine cycle and let it dry in the sun.
Keep your pillows clean!
To keep your pillows in excellent condition for longer, you can use the tips already mentioned. But also remember to wash your bed linen regularly and replace the pillows with new ones after 2 years.
