How to Clean and Whiten Yellowed Pillows
In my experience, if you want to whiten dingy pillows, it’s not enough to wash yellow pillows in your washing machine with your usual detergent. I discovered this firsthand a long time ago, but I was unwilling to admit defeat, and kept trying to figure out how to whiten yellow pillows until I found a method that worked!
I’ll share that method with you in this post, so you’ll know how to clean yellow pillows and restore them to a whiter, brighter state. It isn’t that difficult to do, but it does require a combination of cleaning agents to break down those stubborn yellow stains.
To clean yellow pillows, you’ll add a cup of powdered laundry detergent, a cup of powdered dishwasher detergent, a cup of bleach (or bleach alternative) and half of a cup of borax to a washing machine or bathtub full of very hot water. After soaking the pillows for at least an hour, you’ll wash and dry the pillows as usual.
Related: The One Thing You Need to Do Before Switching to Lighter Bedding
This is one of my most popular blog posts, so I’m far from the only one who’s enthusiastic about this laundry hack! Read on for the complete step-by-step tutorial!
Why Do Pillows Turn Yellow?
Wondering why pillows turn yellow in the first place? That dingy yellow hue that bed pillows tend to develop over time is caused by the moisture they absorb while you sleep, including sweat, saliva, natural oils from your hair and skin, and even skin and hair product residues. It’s perfectly normal for pillows to turn yellow (if a bit gross), but I’m also glad there’s an easy way to restore them to cleaner state!
Here’s how it’s done.
How to Wash Yellow Pillows
You’ll need:
- 1 cup powdered laundry detergent
- 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
- 1 cup bleach (or bleach alternative)
- 1/2 cup borax
Related: 29 Surprisingly Brilliant Ways to Use Borax
Directions:
First, check the tag to make sure you can machine wash your pillow. (You can put most feather pillows, down pillows, and synthetic pillows in your washer, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!)
Remove the pillow case and pillow protector, if present.
Step 1 – Soak in Hot Water
The first step in the cleaning process is to soak your yellow pillow in hot water to give the cleaning agents a head start on dissolving those tough stains. (If you have a top-loading washing machine, you can do the soak right in your washer. For those with front-loading washers, or if your top-loader doesn’t have a soak function, you can do the soak in a separate container or your bathtub.)
Related: How to Clean Your Washing Machine
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Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil on your stovetop. Stir the laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, and borax into the boiling water, and stir until the powdered ingredients dissolve. (You could also pour the water into a bucket and then add the dry ingredients if you don’t want to mix cleaning ingredients inside a cooking pot.)
Once the powders have dissolved into the water, pour the water into your washer (or whatever you’re using to soak the pillows in), then add the bleach. Then let the pillows soak in the solution for at least 30 minutes (an hour or more is even better), flipping the pillows over about half-way through the soak time to make sure that they’re getting saturated on both sides.
Step 2 – Wash
Following the soak, wash the pillows in your washing machine on a normal hot water cycle. (Add an extra rinse, if your washer gives you the option.)
Step 3 – Dry
Finally, all that’s left to do is dry your pillows. A lot of people ask if you can dry pillows in the dryer, and most of the time, the answer is yes.
Down pillows should be dried on the “fluff” or “air” setting, while synthetic pillows can be dried on low heat. Add a couple of tennis balls or wool dryer balls to the dryer to help fluff the pillows as they dry.
Related: The One Extremely Simple Thing You Need to Do to Your Pillow
This “before and after” features a pillow that our Production Manager Brittany offered up as a test subject. As you can see, this method made a profound difference in the color and appearance of her pillow (and the difference was even more dramatic in person!)
FAQs About Whitening Yellow Pillows
Does this work for memory foam pillows?
Generally speaking yes, but be sure to check the tag. Keep in mind that memory foam will take much longer to dry, so be sure to give it plenty of time in the dryer on a low heat setting. If you want to dry it outside, make sure there is a nice breeze to provide plenty of opportunity for all that dense memory foam to air out.
Does this work for down feather pillows?
Definitely. Follow the same advice above for your down feather pillows—plenty of drying time on low heat. It’s best to put them in your dryer with a few dryer balls to help prevent the feathers from clumping as they dry. (Believe me, you don’t want to end up with a pillow full of hot, soggy clumps of feathers.
More Pillow Talk
Have you ever tried washing stained or yellow pillows?
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How To Whiten Yellow Pillows (Step by Step)
Video
Equipment
- Washing Machine
- Measuring Cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered laundry detergent
- 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
- 1 cup bleach (or bleach alternative)
- 1/2 cup borax
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil on your stovetop. Stir the laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, and borax into the boiling water, and stir until the powdered ingredients dissolve. (You could also pour the water into a bucket and then add the dry ingredients, if you don’t want to mix cleaning ingredients inside a cooking pot.)
- When the dry ingredients have dissolved into the water, pour the water into the washer (or wherever you’re soaking your pillows) along with the bleach. Then let the pillows soak in the water for about 30 minutes. You should also flip the pillows over about half-way through the soak, to make sure that they’re getting fully saturated.
- Following the soak, run the pillows through a full wash cycle in your washing machine. Select the 2nd rinse option, if possible.
- If you have down pillows, put them into your dryer on the “fluff” or “air” setting. Synthetic pillows can be dried on low heat. Add a couple of tennis balls or homemade dryer balls to the dryer to help fluff the pillows as they dry.
I LOVE all your hacks tips and tricks!! Just wondering if memory foam pillows be done with this? Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for your kind words, Shelly… You made my day! I don’t recommend this process for memory foam pillows. Use these steps for memory foam pillows:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1. Fill a large sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of the gentle detergent.
2. Completely submerge the pillow and squeeze gently to move the cleaning solution through the foam. NEVER place a solid foam pillow in a washer, even one with no center agitator. The movement – especially the final spin – is too harsh and can cause the foam to break.
3. Rinse the pillow several times until the water runs clear
4. Gently squeeze to remove the water – no wringing!
5. Allow the pillow to air dry on a flat, ventilated surface
6. Do not place in a dryer because the high heat can cause damage. To speed drying, use a portable fan. Depending on the thickness of the foam, it can take up to 24 hours for a pillow to dry completely.
When I moved in with BF, all his pillows were brown! A round in the washer with a cup of bleach and they were good as new. He was amazed! Nobody ever taught him to wash pillows. Of concern now I wash them monthly so they don’t get dirty like that anymore.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jilliee, I am thrilled I found your website. I was wondering if the recipe for the yellow pillows can be used for sheets and using your bleach alternative. Thank you
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did you ever hear back from this question? If it’s good for whitening bed sheets?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Holly and Christiane, here is my post on how to strip bath sheets and towels.
This Oddly Satisfying Hack Gets The Hidden Grime Out Of Laundry
Hi there. I saved this post as a bookmark last year and yet I’m just now trying it out. However, I used Cascade Complete dishwasher detergent gel because I don’t have the dish powder. But I have a concern. I haven’t added any bleach yet, but I’m reluctant to because I just saw the warning statement on the back of the Cascade jug that includes “Contains enzymes. Do not mix with bleach containing products due to incompatibility.” I wish it was more specific as to what “incompatibility” suggests. Like if that means it’s just less thorough or effective, or is it a chemical clash that is harmful? Because those are two very different things! Lol
Since I already have everything else mixed in, I’m thinking maybe I will just skip the bleach for the first cycle in the wash, and then maybe add bleach for a second cycle before drying. What are your thoughts? And if I do a separate wash cycle for the bleach part, should I add some laundry detergent to that cycle to give the bleach something to mix into and distribute more evenly?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nice to read your blog, I also write blogs for people, Let me explain the correct process for which www Firstly check your pillow’s label to see if there are any specific cleaning instructions recommended. In general, most types of pillows are machine washable and can be washed using a cool, gentle setting. This goes for those filled with cotton, polyester, down, and feathers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will this fluff the pillows? Ours have become quite flat over time
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In Europe, People lay yellowed wash out on a green lawn in the sun…works like a charm and no chemicals or mess
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What about front loading machines
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Okay, very important first step is missing here.
You NEED to make sure you deflate your pillows as much as possible, and put them into the washing machine filling up with water. Do not add after, otherwise your pillows will float to the top and will not sink into the mixture, and you’ll be left trying to shove the pillows down into a boiling bleach water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Actually, a front-loader washing machine has a seal that a top-loader doesn’t have. In a front-loader, place the first pillow at the bottom, so it fits snuggly when it begins to spin back and forth, and either push to lower the back or slightly raise the front of the pillow so the liquid will not come our of the machine when you pour it on the pillow. Then, carefully and slowly without any splashing, pour the hot mixture in the middle or rear of the pillow. I used a handled pan that fit through the door without splashing anything. Then place the second pillow along the top of the washer. Between the pillows, I add my makeup soiled wash clothes and an old t-shirt that needed bleached too. Just don’t add anything greasy, as grease may become trapped in your pillows and then spoil. Everything that I add with the pillows are pretreated or prewashed and rinsed well, unless they were soaked in bleach. The, I close the door, begin filling with hot water. The wash cycle will begin rolling the washer drum back and forth. I set a timer for it to wash about 5 minutes, so the mixture is completely saturated the pillows. Then turn off the washer for the pillows to soak for 30 minutes. Then restart the washer and turn on the extra rinse. There is no need to flip clothes or pillows in a front-loader washing machine, because of how the machine works.
If you come into any contact with the bleach or mixture – rinse with cool water thoroughly and completely.
If you splash any bleach or chemicals into your eyes – Get into the shower and hold the lids of your affected eye or eyes open. – FROM: The Mayo Clinic.
Then call the poison control center immediately.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-eye-emergency/basics/art-20056647
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just be very careful when you add anything to Bleach as a chemical reaction can happen with some chemicals and the fumes are dangerous esp if you have any C.O.P.D. symptoms.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This a great idea & yes I did try it & it worked beautifully, thank you. I just wanted to mention that on your before & after pictures where you mentioned about the homemade dryer balls, these labels are in correct. The before label is on the white already cleaned pillows & the after label is on the yellow pillows just thought I mention it, it’s an honest mistake. Thank you, keep up the great ideas.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s for sure! Too funny. Kaya, at least you and I take “one good thing” seriously. ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Would you be able to substitute liquid laundry soap and liquid dishwasher soap to clean pillows rather than the powdered
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure, give it a try. Just don’t add too much of either.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure! Only use 1/2 cup of liquid laundry soap and about 1/4 cup of liquid dishwasher detergent. And don’t worry about adding them to the hot water in the pot – just do borax that way and then add the soaps to the washing machine :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks! I will show this point to my girlfriend:)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.En una droguería puedo comprar el bórax?
Gracias
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Walmart lo vende en el area de detergentes de lavar ropa.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Si, en las droguerías lo puedes encontrar porque al menos en mexico no lo encuentras en Walmart
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use another method, with even better results. Try soaking the pillows in a large plastic bin, in a solution of the hottest water you can get from your bathtub spout and two scoops of OxiClean. The Hydrogen peroxide in the OxiClean will take care of the human oils that are staining the pillows (and also causing that sour smell) without compromising the fiber of the pillowcases as any solution of bleach will do.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why not soak directly in the bathtub? Clean the tub at the same time!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not directly in the washer? I’m just imagining trying to lift and squeeze out pillows weighed down by all that water, and then carry them downstairs to the washer to finish the cycle of rinse and spin…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So true, Michelle, so why not take the easy way out. Whether it is an old stained pillow or a brand new pillow, just order those pillow covers that are sold in catalogues, such as Make Life Easier or Signatures. The pillow covers come in the standard, queen and king sizes. The standard pillow cover is $7.00, I bought six of them to cover the pillows in our room, the guest room and the pillows for a pull-out couch that we have in our family room. My washer is small as there are just the two of us at home, now, thus washing pillows would take way too much time and put too much strain on the washing machine. Then, to dry them would take as much electricity for my dryer to dry them that I could light up the entire city of New Your. Nope, no washing pillows for me, I just cover them and when the cover is soiled with perspiration, I remove them, wash them and throw them in the dryer.
This is a great idea . Now I know that I can save my yellowed pillows. Especially about the dryee wool balls and what it can do .
I have a question. My daughter left the stove on and ruined our range hood which has to be replaced. She wiped the walls with black soot with a wet paper towel which did not helped. We do not have a dry sponge avaikable. I read that Mr Clean Magic Eraser works. The walls had just been recently painted white. My landlord will be very unhappy if he finds out. I would like to clean the damage before this happens. Thank you for your help.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Magic erase markers and scrubbing bubbles works the best no scrubbing
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I took soot off my siding with a magic eraser and Simple Green.
Wipe the wall with dawn wish soap and warm water to remove the greasy soot then clean the stain with bleach spray or a 10-20% bleach solution.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The companies that restore places with fire damaged murals use soft bread (no whole grains), cut side out and dab off the soot!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Would this whiten all my dingy whites (i.e., towels, clothes, bed sheets) if I just add it to my white load?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If used consistently it may damage the elastic in items such as underwear. I use Oxy-Clean, Clorox Stain Remover, Biz, and Tide to get my whites really white. Also, Persil does whiten better than Tide.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m struggling to keep our whites white. Using these products what is your method exactly?
I use nonchlorine bleach, such as found in most supermarkets. It works well on all our white and colored items.
Try a chlorine free bleach which uses hydrogen peroxide. Check out your supermarket and they have several that are on the market and they whiten whites very well. I have never tried Persil and will check to see if it is hypoallergenic, as I have sensitive, dry skin.
I use borax, oxiclean, and bleach, and detergent on my whites
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello, do you know if this detergent recipe will work / is safe for an HE washer?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Careful if you have an old washer – ours tore up one pillow! It’s a stacking top-loading Maytag from 1998. Next time I’ll try the soak and then hit the laundromat. Pillows are nice and clean though.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That is why covering pillows work best. You can wreck your washer and run up a very large gas or electric bill when you dry the pillows in the dryer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Incredible! I only had a bit of liquid Tide free and clear, bleach for unbleachables, a pod of Seventh Generation natural unscented dishwasher detergent and the borax. I do wish that I had taken a picture before! A very new pillow very badly stained from night sweats from a medication change. I was going to toss it and remembered reading your post so did a search for it. THANK YOU Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.i just soak them in a bucket with oxyclean in it. then wash in hot water w laundry detergent.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.gets it out every time.
We have a septic septic system so bleach is not recommended. Is there a safer solution that still works?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, right here: http://jillee.co/2phpE7a :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use bleach as needed (2 – 3 loads per week), in the sinks, and to clean bath and kitchen and it has not negatively affected my septic system. A commercial laundry would have greater impact. I have two 750 gal septic tanks (overkill) though and there are only two of us in the house. I think you will find that many folks have discovered that bleach is not so much the terrible no-no it once was considered. One of the reasons, chemistry-wise is that every time the chlorine comes into contact with organic matter, the chlorine is neutralized and turned into other chemical compounds, trihalomethanes, many of which easily dissipate into the air. So by the time the diluted bleach mixes with the goo in the tank and certainly before it goes into the field lines,l it is quickly nuetralized. Still, do your own research. Many people heard it was bad for so long, they just stick to that.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I called our septic guy who handles thousands of them. He said not a problem unless I was going to put a gallon down in. He said it would be so diluted that it would have no effect.
I agree…I’ve never had anything but a septic tank. This one load would be diluted by showers, dishwashing, and flushing over a significant period of time . I’ve never had anyone caution me against using bleach.
The average tank is 1000 gals and needs to be over 3/4 full to run out the baffles so that is how much water you’re putting that 1 cup of bleach in. If it still concerns you i’d use the Opticlean.
I’d be more worried about wrecking the washing machine…..I think I’ll just recover mine!
Good move, mdoe37, that is exactly what I have done for several years.
How is this possible in a front loading washing machine – the water would pour out or am I being thick?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You’ll just need to do the soaking in a tub or bucket before washing :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, many of your ideas are great, but not this one regarding washing pillows and drying pillows.
Please, just tell your readers to purchase pillow covers. You slip the pillow into the cover and zip it up.
That way they will not damage their washing machines to wash their pillows, or burn up fossil fuel using gas or electricity running their dryer for such a long time to dry the pillows.
Front loading washers have been engineered so water does not leak out. I’ve had mine for 20 years and soak things all the time. I set the timer for 10 minute intervals for swishing purposes. Front load owners don’t have to beware . . . go for it! Thanks for the suggestions. I’m always looking for new methods for my husband’s very old pillow, which he refuses to throw out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If I put any liquid in my front loader and start a cycle, the washer thinks it is water left from a previous cycle and will pump it out before filling. My washer has an “extra sanitary” feature for this sort of item. I use my regular detergent, 1/8 cup Oxyclean liquid, two TBS. of Dawn BLUE dish detergent, 1/2 cup Borax (Borateem or other brand), 1/4 cup or less of bleach. That cycle takes over 2 hours. The borax, which is in dishwasher powder BTW, is the key to getting stains out. Works great even with colors. The Dawn gets out the oily yellow head “grease”. I have to wash one family member’s sheets this way. They sued to have a trace of smell left after even two washings. The Dawn and borax made the difference.
Buy your husband a pillow cover, Signatures and Make Life Easier Catalogues carry pillow covers. They are $7.00 per regular size pillows, $9.00 for a king size pillow. If you research On-Line you can order one of the two catalogues.
I would just put the pillows and detergent(s) in, wait for the water to fill, let it go around a couple of times and then pause the washer, wait for ten minutes, start the washer again for a couple of rounds, 10 minute pause and one more time. Then let the machine proceed to the end of the cycle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea Outi!
No, you are hardly “thick,” Heather, you are very wise not to try to wash pillows. It is a waste of time plus being very hard on any washing machine, whether it is a top loading machine, or a front loading machine. Add to that the electricity or gas that is used to dry a pillow or pillows, especially if there is more than one person in your home. We should strive to be more energy efficient when we can.
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