Learn how to wash yellowed pillows and remove sweat, body oils, and stains with three practical cleaning methods that can help restore a fresher, whiter appearance.
How to Wash Yellowed Pillows: 3 Tips to Keep Them White and New
Over time, even clean pillows can develop yellow stains. Sweat, body oils, skincare products, saliva, and moisture can gradually build up inside the fabric, leaving pillows looking old and discolored.
The good news is that many washable pillows can be refreshed at home. Before cleaning, always check the care label because memory foam, latex, and some specialty pillows should not be machine-washed.
Here are three useful methods for washable pillows.
1. Use Baking Soda and Mild Detergent
Baking soda can help deodorize fabric and loosen some surface buildup.
What you need:
- Mild laundry detergent
- ½ cup baking soda
- Warm water, if permitted by the care label
How to do it:
Place two washable pillows in the washing machine to help maintain balance. Add your normal amount of mild detergent and about ½ cup of baking soda.
Choose the warmest water setting allowed by the manufacturer’s instructions and run an appropriate wash cycle.
After washing, use an extra rinse if your machine has that option. This helps remove detergent residue.
Dry the pillows completely according to their care instructions. Any remaining moisture inside a pillow can encourage unpleasant odors and, in some conditions, mold growth.
2. Try Oxygen Bleach for Stubborn Yellowing
For white washable pillows with persistent discoloration, an oxygen-based laundry whitener can be useful.
Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is generally a gentler option for many washable fabrics, but you should still check the care label first.
Dissolve the product according to its package instructions and use it as directed during washing or soaking.
Avoid mixing different cleaning products. Never combine bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other household chemicals.
This method can be particularly useful when yellowing has accumulated over months or years.
3. Treat the Stains Before Washing
If only certain areas are yellow, pretreating them can make the cleaning process more effective.
Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent to the stained area and gently work it into the fabric. Allow it to sit for several minutes according to the detergent’s instructions, then wash the pillow normally.
For heavily soiled pillows, repeating the treatment may be safer than using increasingly strong chemicals.
Don’t Forget the Drying Step
Washing is only half the job. Pillows need to become completely dry before they are used again.
For machine-dryable pillows, follow the manufacturer’s recommended temperature. Periodically remove the pillow and fluff it so that the filling dries evenly.
If the pillow is suitable for air-drying, place it somewhere clean and well-ventilated and make sure the inside is thoroughly dry.
Never put a pillow back on the bed while it is still damp.
How to Keep Pillows White for Longer
Prevention is easier than repeatedly removing deep yellow stains.
- Use a washable pillow protector beneath the pillowcase.
- Wash pillowcases regularly.
- Keep hair and skin products from soaking into the pillow.
- Allow pillows to air out occasionally.
- Deal with spills and stains promptly.
- Follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions.
When Should You Replace a Pillow?
Cleaning cannot restore every pillow. If yours has a persistent odor, damaged filling, mold or mildew, significant deterioration, or has lost its shape and support, replacement may be more appropriate.
A yellow pillow isn’t necessarily dirty—it can simply show the effects of years of normal use. With the right washing method and regular protection, many washable pillows can look and feel considerably fresher.