Woman keeps pillow free from yellow stains 'for 39 years' thanks to washing tip

06 September 2023 , 07:48

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Pillows often turn yellow over the years due to a build-up of dirt and moisture (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Householders from near and far will agree there's nothing worse than taking a pillowcase off to wash it, only to discover a murky yellow, stained pillow lurking underneath. As unpleasant as it is, it's quite normal for pillows turn yellow over time due to a build-up of sweat and moisture.

But luckily, there are ways to prevent premature yellowing and remove tough stains from already-yellowed pillows, with fans of the cleaning sensation that is Mrs Hinch taking to social media to share their own hacks on how they handle this common cleaning conundrum. Posting to a Facebook group called Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, a user posted: "Conundrum: to wash old yellow stained feather pillows at home or at laundromat/dry clean or chuck 'em?” - and people were quick to share their views.

Amazingly, one woman with a "phobia" of stained bedding revealed how she has kept two feather pillows fresh, clean and stain-free for a whopping 39 years. She wrote: “I still have two feather pillows from 39 years ago which are stain-free and are washed regularly in my home machine, then tumble dried and left on the clothes horse to air. I have a phobia about stained bedding so they’ve been washed dozens of times."

Another cleaning fan commented: "If you take them to the laundromat/laundrette and get a service wash they do come out well! If they are feather pillows they take a lot more work. The feathers retain the water. They need a lot of dry time, which is why launderettes say leave them overnight. I’ve washed a lot of feather pillows and they do come up like new after being washed."

"I wash mine in the machine. Bio washing powder, a bit of ace bleach and fabric conditioner. Tumble dry, shake, then [they’re] perfect," said another. While most people suggested washing feather pillows at home and drying them thoroughly in the tumble dryer, one Facebook user revealed how shaving foam does the trick, writing: "Try shaving foam first. Rub in, leave for an hour then wipe off with a damp cloth."

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Lauren Davidson