The Budget-Friendly DIY To Clean Those Gross Pillow Stains

Bed pillows get a lot of use, but how often you should be changing your old pillows may come as a surprise. While synthetic pillows need to be swapped out every 1 to 2 years in order to ensure proper support and keep potential allergies at bay, down and feather pillows can last 5 to 10 years. During this time, it's important to care for and clean your bed pillows regularly to ensure maximum longevity. However, despite your best efforts, you may see yellow stains pop up on the surface, which is totally normal, although it can be quite gross.

Most commonly, stains are caused by sweat, natural oils produced by your hair and skin, as well as drool — all of which can make their way through your pillowcase and build up on the pillow below. Unfortunately, a quick spin in the washing machine may not be enough to eliminate these pesky stains. Instead, reach for an ingredient you likely already have in your kitchen cabinet: baking soda. Mix a minimal amount of water with the baking soda in order to create a thick paste, then use it to coat the affected areas. Let the pillow sit for about half an hour then rinse with water and throw in the washer, following the care label instructions. For added cleaning power, wet a cloth in white vinegar and dab the stains to remove the paste before moving to the washing machine.

It may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually easy to give your pillows a much-needed deep clean with just a few household ingredients. A simple paste made from baking soda and water can work wonders on small stains, but if you're dealing with all-over yellowing, there are other cleaning options to consider, like a vinegar bath. Fill a large enough container or your tub with equal parts warm water and vinegar and allow the pillows to soak overnight. At this point, you can throw them into the washing machine with regular detergent or give them a quick rinse first to help eliminate some of the vinegar smell.

Another great option is to fill your tub with the hottest water possible, then add a quarter cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of borax, plus two cups of liquid detergent. Stir the solution together, then fully submerge the pillows. Protect your hands by wearing gloves, or take a cue from TikToker @brunchwithbabs and use a wooden spoon to press the pillows down into the mix. Leave them be for 24 hours, squeeze as much excess liquid from the pillows as you can, then wash them on a regular cycle without using any detergent. For optimal results, finish them off in the dryer with dryer balls or tennis balls that will ensure they come out perfectly fluffed and like new.