The last time you changed your sheets and stared in amazement at the yellowish stain on your pillowcase, you weren't the only one. Your pillowcase is often the overlooked hero of the bedroom - it endures your nightly sweaty adventures and the "beauty" residue of your skin. Over time, it turns from a faithful white support into a collection point for sweat, dirt, microscopic intruders and the remains of the summer heat. Washing your pillowcase in the washing machine! But don't worry - there's a completely simple way to restore it to its hotel-like whiteness without spending a fortune or drowning yourself in toxic chemicals.
In this article, we reveal a miraculous trick for washing your pillow – washing a pillow in a washing machine, which will make it look like you "borrowed" it from a five-star hotel room HiltonWell, maybe they'll believe you a little more now that you claim you clean your bedroom more often than once a year.
Why washing your pillow is not just a fad, but a serious matter
Let's think for a moment: it's summer, the heat is relentless, and you're desperately searching for a cool corner of your pillow every night. What's left behind for you? Sweat. That's a lot of sweat. Add in some dust, dead skin, summer sunscreen, and the occasional trace of a late-night snack – and you've got a pillow that's anything but snow-white.
Regularly washing the pillow It is primarily a health necessity that will prevent the development of allergies, skin irritation, and nighttime sneezing. After all, if you wash your summer wardrobe regularly, why leave your pillow to its fate?
Which pillows survive machine washing – and which ones don't?
Most pillows are made of synthetic fibers, feathers or cotton will survive the washing machine. But beware! If there is a picture of hand washing on the label, listen to the manufacturer, because they were definitely not kidding (for a change). Pillows made of memory foam or latex should be left out of the machine unless you want an expensive experiment with the decomposition of the materials.
For a top-load washing machine with an agitator, always place the pillows upright and wash two together for balance. With a front-load washing machine, you can throw two pillows in without worry, as they will gently “dance” through the wash cycle.
A natural recipe for a snow-white pillow that defeats even summer sweat stains
No matter how much those nightly summer saunas leave marks, this recipe brings you the perfect solution - without harsh chemicals and excessive effort.
You need:
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- ½ cup baking soda (the good old household savior)
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon natural detergent (or Castile soap)
- Hot water (as much as the fabric can handle)
Why these ingredients? Peroxide is an excellent natural bleach, baking soda miraculously removes the smell of summer sweat, vinegar disinfects, and natural detergent breaks down grease and dirt.
Washing process (like a pro):
- Remove covers and protective layers. Wash them separately.
- Check that your pillow doesn't have any open wounds - it's best to sew them up before washing.
- Pour the ingredients directly into the machine drum, select the delicates program and the highest allowed temperature.
- For a complete rinse, run another additional cycle without additives.
Drying – essential for a fluffy cloud and not a musty basement smell
The biggest summer mistake you can make is not drying your wet pillow completely. If you want it to be fluffy and soft like in a hotel, dry it thoroughly.
Use a simple trick: Add two clean tennis balls wrapped in a sock or soft wool dryer balls to the dryer. These will keep the stuffing from clumping together into uncomfortable clumps while also waking up all the neighbors – well, they’ll make up, right?
Put the pillow in the dryer on a low setting or, even better, on the “air dry” setting. After drying, leave it in the hot summer sun for a few hours, which is a natural disinfectant, free dryer, and odor eliminator.
How many summer nights can a pillow survive without washing?
Ideally, you should wash your pillowcases at least every three to four months. If you have allergies or sweat like a marathon runner at 2 p.m., wash them every two months. And your pillowcases weekly – you know, for beauty and health.
If your pillow still resembles a pancake after washing it, or if it makes you sneeze, it's time to replace it. Replace synthetic pillows every 2 years, and feather pillows every 3 years.
@kasha_home And they were less than a year old 🫢😳 #nontoxiccleaning #cleantok #cleaningroutine #nontoxicliving #nontoxicleaningproducts #nontoxiclifestyle #nontoxiccleaningalternatives #nontoxickitchen #nontoxicbathroom #nontoxicmopping #weeklycleaningroutine #diycleaninghacks #cleaningmotivation #cleanwithme #sundayreset #pillowcleaning
Bonus tips for a clean pillow life:
- Shake and air the pillow regularly.
- Use a protective cover with a zipper.
- Don't sleep with wet hair, even if summer seems like the perfect time to style your hair in bed.
- Food stays in the kitchen. Crumbs are not a stylish addition to a pillow.
Final summer thought: washing your pillow in the washing machine
Pillow It's not just a support for your head – it's also a silent observer of your summer adventurev. If you take care of him, he will take care of you, especially during summer nights, when a clean and fragrant bed is the best ally for your sleep.
So, prepare the ingredients and wash the pillowso that your bedroom will smell fresh and luxurious again - not like a hot July and a mini biological experiment.