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How to whitew up your old yellowed pillows?

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Over time, our pillows tend to turn yellow due to sweating, hair product residues and dust accumulation. Even by regularly washing the pillows, the pillows themselves can become dull and unhygienic. Fortunately, there are simple solutions to make them as white and clean as they are on the first day.

Why do your pillows yellow?

Yellowing of pillows is a common phenomenon. It is mainly caused by night sweating, ambient moisture and dead skin cells, which accumulate over time. In addition, the use of hair products and natural body oils accentuate this process. But don't panic, good deep cleaning allows your pillows to be restored to the shine and cleanliness.

What you need to whiten your pillows

For deep cleaning and effective bleaching, collect the following ingredients:

  • Four tablespoons of laundry (liquid or powder)
  • Two tablespoons of dishwasher detergent (preferably powdered for degreasing power)
  • One tablespoon of bleach (or a chlorine-free bleaching agent for a softer option)
  • A tablespoon of borax (a powerful natural cleanser)
  • Very hot water, ideally close to boiling for optimal results.

Steps to effectively whiten your pillows

  1. Check the pillow label

First of all, make sure that your pillows can be machine-washed. Most synthetic fiber and feather pillows support washing, but it is better to make sure of it to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

  1. Prepare the washing

  • Remove the pillowcases and guards.
  • Fill the washing machine with very hot water (you can add boiling water for more efficiency).
  • Add all the ingredients (leaflet, dishwasher detergent, bleach and borax).
  • Launch a short unladen scrubbing cycle to dissolve the products well.
  1. Wash your pillows

  • Place up to two pillows in the machine to ensure uniform washing.
  • Launch a complete cycle with hot water and deep flushing to remove any residue of product.
  • For optimal cleaning, turn the pillows up again so that they are properly impregnated with the mixture.
  1. Additional rinsing

An additional flushing cycle is recommended to ensure that no detergent or bleach residue remains in the pillows, which may irritate the skin or alter their softness.

  1. Perfect drying

  • For feathered or quilt pillows, give preference to the cold air cycle of the dryer.
  • For synthetic pillows, use gentle heat.
  • Add a few clean tennis balls into the drum to prevent the pillow from agglomerating and to restore it to its softness.
  • see more on the next page

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