Pillows are more susceptible to an array of stains, from makeup and skincare products to sweat and dead skin cells. However, there’s a straightforward method to get them back to looking fresh. Carrie Higgins, founder of Making Lemonade, has shared savvy laundry tips for washing pillows, as they can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mould. 

She said: “I won’t go into too much detail, but needless to say, pillows are hotbeds of junk collected in the six to eight hours you spend on them every day. Single. Night.” Yet, refreshing dingy pillows don't have to be costly or time-consuming, as Carrie advised; the most effective stain remover is simple white vinegar.

White vinegar is a potent natural cleaner. Its acidic nature allows it to break down organic stains such as sweat, oils, or other residues that accumulate on pillows.

Not just a stain buster, vinegar also boasts antibacterial properties and acts as a deodoriser, tackling both bacteria and any unpleasant odours in the pillow cloth.

Carrie shared her own success, remarking: “As dirty and drooly as my pillows were, I didn’t need to run any of them through a second time, the vinegar worked like magic!”. She added that this method “revived” them and made them “blindingly white”.

First, it’s important to check the label to ensure the pillow can be washed in a machine, as certain materials, like memory foam, are not suitable for laundering.

Next, place the pillows in the washing machine, but avoid overloading it. It is generally recommended to wash two pillows at a time.

Then, add 250ml of white vinegar to the fabric softener drawer on your washing machine, followed by your chosen detergent. Carrie recommends using an unscented detergent and one that is free from dyes.

Set the machine to the warmest water temperature suggested on the pillow label and run it on a gentle cycle.

After the wash cycle, put the machine on a spin cycle to remove any excess moisture from the pillows.

Once washed, your pillows should appear “clean, white and stain-free”. If any stubborn stains remain, consider washing them a second time.

When it comes to drying the pillows after washing, place them in the dryer on a low-heat setting. Using wool dryer balls can help fluff up the pillows again.

Alternatively, you can hang them outside if possible, as sunlight can naturally help whiten fabric and break down stains.

Ensure the pillows are completely dry before using them again to prevent mould and unpleasant odours.