Best method to clean yellow pillows and remove any ‘lingering odours’

Over time, pillows can accumulate sweat, oils, bacteria and dust mites, which can affect the look and feel of them.

Cleaning pillows regularly can help to give them a fresh look and smell, prolonging the life of them. With over 40 years in the sleep industry, the owner of Bed Guru, Carl Walsh, shared the best ways to clean pillows, including how to spot clean, which should be done if small stains appear.

The expert said: “To spot clean, take off the pillowcase and mix a mid detergent with water until it bubbles. Then, gently rub the solution into the stain with a sponge until it comes out and allow it to air dry.

“If your pillow smells funny and you want to give it a refresh, here is what you need to do. Take off the pillow case and lie it on a flat surface.

“Sprinkle baking soda over your pillow before leaving it in direct sunlight for two to three hours. Then, vacuum off the baking soda thoroughly and it’ll be as good as new.”

READ MORE: Five expert methods to ‘save money’ when doing laundry

This is ideal for memory foam pillows, which cannot be placed in the washing machine, as it’ll help keep their shape nice and firm.

Matthew Currington, technological director, The Lighting Superstore, said: “While most people regularly change their bedding, pillows and mattresses are often overlooked.

“But these can accumulate sweat, dust mites and other allergens which can make you ill. Ideally, you should wash your mattress and pillows every six months.

“Most pillows, including cotton, feather and down, can be washed in a washing machine, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the care label first.

“Pillows can be washed using a mild detergent or you can add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to remove any lingering odours.”

If a pillow has yellow stains on it, there could be a number of reasons causing this to occur. It is best to clean these as soon as possible otherwise they may not come out, even in the wash.

According to the experts at Smol, oil from your hair and skin, called sebum, can produce yellow staining.

However, a simple fix for these stains is shampoo, which can be applied directly to the stain before leaving to soak in warm water.

Make sure to give the pillow a good scrub and add it into the washing machine if possible. The pros added: “You can also help avoid these types of stains in the future by showering before bed.” Another reason for stains on pillows is due to sweat and saliva.

These types of stains can be remedied by using a homemade mixture of water and white vinegar. The cleaning experts said: “Let your pillowcases soak for around half an hour, before adding to your wash as normal.

“Another tip if some of the stains remain is to leave the cases hanging outside or by a window for the day, as UV from the sun can break down the stain, and even help to kill germs.”

As well as pillows, mattresses can also harbour bacteria and dust mites, meaning it is essential they are cleaned every three months too.