Laundry expert’s ‘most important rule’ to follow when washing yellow pillows
Pillows need cleaning regularly in order to prevent yellow stains and dust mites. According to experts, there are a number of easy ways to keep the bedding item fresh.
According to cleaning and laundry expert Sarah Dempsey from MyJobQuote.co.uk, pillows should be cleaned every three months.
She explained: “If there are any spills or accidents, you should spot clean as necessary at the time of the accident.
“Dirt and grime will build up over time and for this reason, it’s recommended that you change your pillows every one to two years.”
When it comes to cleaning pillows, the “most important rule” is to read the care label, as this will determine how they can be cleaned.
Most pillows can be machine-washed, but not all, so it’s important to avoid damage and check the care label first.
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The expert said: “Each day, give your pillows a good fluffing up to remove dust and help restore their shape.
“Every few months, hang your pillows outside on a clothesline for a few hours. If you don’t have a garden or clothesline, or if your pillows can’t be hung outside, run your pillows through the dryer on a non-heated cycle.
“If your pillow is machine washable, you should aim to wash it twice a year in the washing machine. Washing your pillow in the machine is not that difficult.
“However, it can take some time to dry completely. If your pillow has a stain that needs to be removed, spot-treat the stain with some stain cleaner before placing it in the machine.”
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If you have a washing machine which is large enough, aim to wash two pillows at once. This will help to balance the load and will allow the detergent and water to circulate much more effectively.
It is important to take a different approach to cleaning pillows, depending on the filling.
Down or feather
Sarah explained: “Most down or feather pillows can be placed in the washing machine. However, you will need to use a mild detergent and cold water.
“Then, dry the pillows on a low heat. High temperatures can damage this type of filling.”
Latex or memory foam pillows
These types of pillows may get damaged in the washing machine, so they will likely need to be hand-washed.
To do so, the cleaning expert recommended vacuuming them and then spot-cleaning with a mild detergent and damp cloth.
Polyester pillows
Sarah continued: “Wash polyester pillows with warm water on a gentle washing cycle. If you can, wash two pillows at the same time to help balance the load and use a small amount of detergent.”
It’s important to get the pillow completely dry before putting it back on the bed to prevent the risk of mildew.
Most pillows will take an hour to dry in the tumble dryer, and a couple of towels can be added to speed up the process.
If it’s nice weather, lay pillows out on a line to dry fully, adding an extra hour or so to make sure they are dry inside too.