How to wash yellowed pillows: 3 tips to keep them white and new

Yellowed pillows are not just an aesthetic eyesore; they are often a sign of accumulated sweat, body oils, drool, and dust mites that have seeped through the pillowcase over time. If your pillows have taken on a yellowish hue, it usually means it is long past time for a deep clean.

The good news is that with the right ingredients and a little elbow grease, you can strip away the body oils and bring your pillows back to a bright, fresh state. Here are 3 highly effective tips (or methods) to wash yellowed pillows and keep them white.

Method 1: The “Strip It” Deep Clean (Hot Water, Bleach, and Borax)

This is the heavy-duty method for pillows that are severely yellowed, stained, or musty. It focuses on breaking down the bodily oils that have bonded to the fabric. (Note: Only use bleach on white, 100% cotton or polyester pillows. Do not use bleach on memory foam or down/feather pillows).

• What you need: 1 cup of powdered laundry detergent, 1 cup of powdered dishwasher detergent, 1 cup of bleach (chlorine or oxygen-based), and ½ cup of Borax.

• How to do it:

  1. Load your washing machine (top-loaders work best, but front-loaders are fine) with no more than two pillows to keep the machine balanced.

  2. Add the hottest water setting available.

  3. Pour in the laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, bleach, and Borax directly into the drum.

  4. Set the machine to the longest wash cycle with an extra rinse if possible. Let the machine agitate for a minute, then pause it and let the pillows soak for 1 to 2 hours (or overnight) before resuming the cycle.

  5. Run a second rinse cycle to ensure all the soap and chemicals are completely flushed out of the pillow fibers.

Method 2: The Natural Whitening & Degreasing Method (Vinegar and Baking Soda)

If you want to avoid harsh chemicals, or if you are cleaning pillows that cannot be bleached, this method uses natural acids and bases to dissolve oils, neutralize odors, and soften the fabric.

• What you need: 1 cup of white vinegar, ½ cup of baking soda, and your regular laundry detergent.

• How to do it:

  1. Place your pillows in the washing machine.

  2. Add your regular amount of laundry detergent directly to the drum.

  3. Start the machine on the hottest water setting. Once the drum is full of water and has agitated for a minute, add 1 cup of white vinegar.

  4. Pause the machine and let it soak for 30–60 minutes.

  5. Restart the machine. Once it reaches the rinse cycle, add ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drum. This will help neutralize any lingering vinegar smell and provide a final cleaning boost.

Method 3: The Targeted Pre-Treatment (Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide)

Sometimes the yellowing is concentrated in one area (where your head or neck rests) and needs a direct strike before you run a full wash cycle.

• What you need: Blue Dawn dish soap (or any grease-cutting dish soap), hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.

• How to do it:

  1. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap, ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and ½ cup of baking soda to form a thick paste.

  2. Wet the pillow with warm water.

  3. Apply the paste directly onto the yellowed spots using an old toothbrush or soft scrub brush. Gently work it into the fabric.

  4. Let the paste sit on the pillows for 15 to 30 minutes. The dish soap breaks down the body oils, while the hydrogen peroxide naturally bleaches the stain.

  5. Throw the pillow in the washing machine on a normal warm or hot cycle with your regular detergent to wash the paste away.

🚨 Crucial Drying Rules to Keep Them Fresh

Getting the pillows clean is only half the battle; drying them properly is what keeps them from turning yellow again (or growing mold).

1. Fluff and Dry with Dryer Balls: Put the pillows in the dryer on a low/medium heat setting. Throw in 2 or 3 wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls. These will beat against the pillows as they tumble, preventing the filling from clumping and fluffing them back up.

2. Ensure They Are 100% Dry: Remove the pillow from the dryer and give it a firm squeeze. If it feels even slightly damp or cool in the middle, put it back in. A damp pillow will quickly develop mildew and musty odors.

3. Air Dry for Foam: Never put memory foam or latex pillows in the washing machine or dryer. These must be spot-cleaned by hand and air-dried completely in the sun or near a fan.

How to Prevent Yellowing in the Future

Once your pillows are bright and white again, protect them:

• Invest in Zippered Pillow Protectors: Buy a good-quality, zippered dust-mite and waterproof pillow protector. This goes under your pillowcase and acts as a barrier against sweat and oil.

• Wash Frequently: Aim to wash your pillows (or at least the protectors) every 3 to 6 months.

• Change Pillowcases Twice a Week: If you sweat heavily at night or have oily skin, changing your pillowcase every few days will drastically slow down the yellowing process.