Did you know that you should disinfect your bedding at least once a month? Experts recommend disinfecting pillowcases and bedding twice every month to avoid dirt and grime build-up.
Since you use your pillows every night, you should ensure that they are free of grease stains and germs. Thus, in addition to cleaning your sheets and comforter, you should properly clean your pillowcases.
Cleaning white pillowcases can often be tricky since some stains refuse to bug. If you wish to get rid of those greasy, yellowed pillowcases, read below to learn how to clean your white pillows properly.
How to Clean White Pillowcases? | Step-By-Step Guide
So have you been practicing good cleaning, or are your pillowcases housing bacteria and dirt?
You may have laundered your comforters and bedding, yet you notice dark greasy yellow stains on your white pillowcases. So naturally, you immediately think of adding more bleach to your washing machine.
But, unfortunately, adding more bleaching agents will not help clean your white pillowcases. When you add bleach to your laundry detergents, it aids in the removal of soil particles by changing them into minute soluble particles that get washed away by detergents and water.
But adding more bleach does not help remove stains and grease from the fabric because bleach does not remove any grease.
So if you wish to dissolve the greasy residue on your pillowcases, here is a step-by-step guide to help you whiten and brighten the pillowcase fabric.1. Prepare a Cleaning Solution
To wash your grimy pillowcases, here is a perfect mix of ingredients that will help you get rid of dirty, yellowed pillows. You will need the following ingredients to prepare a cleaning solution.
- Washing soda
- Vinegar
- Laundry detergent
- Dish detergent
- Lemon
Firstly, mix the ingredients in a small container. Then, add a few drops of lemon juice to the cleaning solution.
2. Soak the Pillowcases
Sometimes grease stains appear towards the center of the pillow where you rest your head. This is because the oil from your hair and skin forms a grease build-up on your pillowcase.
That’s why you’ll notice that some parts of the fabric will have more stains than the rest.
When you wash the pillowcases in the washing machine, the stains may not wash out easily. To wash more stubborn stains, we recommend that you soak the pillowcases before throwing them in your washing machine.
Firstly, dip the stained parts of the fabric into the cleaning solution. Since the cleaning solution is thick, it will stick to the fabric’s surface to help dissolve grease and dirt particles. Next, let the pillowcases stay soaked for ten minutes.
3. Use a Brush to Scrub the Stains
When your pillowcases are soaked in the cleaning solution for about ten minutes, use a washing brush to scrub the stains. Once you are done scrubbing, you can wash the pillowcases in the washing machine.
Moreover, you can also grab a hunk of your pillow cover in your hand. Then gently scrub it against itself to remove the stains.
4. Soak in Warm Water
Next, you have to fill your sink or a tub with warm water. Add a few drops of liquid laundry detergent. Mix it in the tub or sink to form bubbles.
Then soak the pillowcases in the warm water. You can soak the white pillowcases for one or two hours or leave them overnight.
5. Rinse Thoroughly
Once you have soaked the pillowcases, then wash them thoroughly with hot water. Make sure that you rinse it with sufficient water to rinse out all the detergent.
Also, make sure that the water runs clear when you’re done washing.
6. Use a Washing Machine.
When you have cleaned the pillowcases, throw them in the washing machine to rinse again. You can now wash your pillowcases like regular laundry.
However, since you’re washing the white fabric, we suggest that you put the pillowcases through a hot wash then rinse them in the washing machine.
You can also add two cups of vinegar to the machine. This will help clean any lingering grease residue or soap. Moreover, it will rinse out the odor. You can use a second rinse cycle before drying your pillowcases.
Also read: How to Properly Clean a Mattress From Stains and Bacteria
Tips and Tricks for Deep Cleaning
You will not have to buy pillowcases if you clean them by using our tips and tricks. Soaking the pillowcases and bedding will help thoroughly clean the stains. However, here are some more cleaning tips and tricks to help your bedding look as good as new.
Washing White Pillowcases in the Washing Machine
You can wash most beddings and pillowcases in the washing machine. However, you should follow some precautions when you wash white bedding.
It is because washing your white pillowcases with other colored garments might make your pillowcases dull.
Washing them with colored garments will ultimately ruin their look, and you will have to buy pillowcases again. To avoid frequently spending money on your bedding, you should follow these tips to make your pillowcases as good as new.
- Use liquid soaps to soak the fabric
- Don't use fabric softeners
- Avoid using powder detergents to ensure all the cleaner washes out
- Rinse with a lot of water
- Try to rinse the pillowcases twice if possible
- Dry the pillowcases in the sun
Vinegar and Baking Soda Mixture for Cleaning
If you want to clean the white pillowcases deeply, here are a few cleaning mixtures that you can prepare to avoid buying pillowcases often. You will only need baking soda and vinegar to prepare this cleaning solution.
Firstly, mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar. Then put your white pillowcases in the washing machine. Next, add water to soak the pillow covers.
When they are soaked in water, add the cleaning mixture to the tub of the washing machine.
Then you can wash the pillow covers in the machine. This tip will not only help clean the stains but also leave your pillowcases gleaming due to the bleaching effect of soda and vinegar.
Hydrogen Peroxide Water to Remove Stains
Oxygenated water helps disinfect the pillowcases. Hydrogen peroxide water also helps to whiten the fabrics. This tip is only practical for white pillowcases, so we don't recommend this for dark colors.
This tip includes applying oxygenated water to the stained parts of the fabric. Then, all you have to do is leave the oxygenated water on the stained parts.
Allow the pillowcases to soak in them for ten minutes. Then you can thoroughly wash the pillow covers to remove all stains.
This technique will eliminate stains formed by creams, makeup, grease, or even sweat leaving your bedding and pillowcases clean and fresh.
Do’s and Don’ts of Washing White Pillowcases
Many people don't pay much attention when it comes to washing laundry. So if you're one of them, then here is your chance to learn differently. Here are some dos and don'ts of washing white pillow covers.
1. Don’t Use Fabric Softeners
If you wish to avoid getting the yellow grime on your pillowcases, say no to fabric softeners. This is because fabric softeners work by covering the white pillowcases with a thin layer of grease or wax. This grease attracts hair oils and residual makeup.
The dirt and oil build-up tend to form greasy yellow spots on your white pillowcases. Thus we suggest that you avoid using fabric softeners.
2. Do Wash White Clothes Separately
Many people throw all the clothes in the washing machine simultaneously, so if you have been washing your garments together, then it is time to be more responsible.
For example, if you wish to keep your white pillowcases from looking dull and greasy, then wash them separately.
You can make sections of laundry to wash dark colors separately. This will help your white linens look cleaner after a wash.
3. Clean Your Washing Machine
Have you ever washed your laundry for it to come out with more dirt than before? That happens because of dust, used detergent, and mineral build-up in the corners of your washing machine’s washer.
When you add your clothes to the washing tub, the built-up dirt gets stuck to the fabric, making your clothes dirtier than before.
To avoid this, we suggest that you clean the washing basin of your machine at least twice a year.
You can use four cups of white vinegar. First, add it to the washing basin. Then fill it up with water before you run the rinsing cycle.
Once the rinsing cycle starts, pause the machine to allow the water and vinegar to soak for some time. Then run the rinsing cycles twice to clean the interior of the washing machine thoroughly.
FAQs
1. How frequently should I wash my white pillowcases?
Wash your white pillowcases at least once every week. Pillowcases become yellow as oil, sweat, and dirt build-up. By washing them once a week, you can keep your white pillowcases clean and bright.
2. How do you whiten pillowcases that turn yellow?
Removing oil, dirt, and sweat buildup from your pillowcases will whiten them. Soak your pillowcases in a mixture of water, vinegar, baking soda, and detergent. This mixture will remove dirt and tough stains. If any stains remain, apply a little bit of hydrogen peroxide and leave it for ten minutes before rinsing.
3. Is it okay to use bleach on white pillowcases?
Yes, it is okay to use bleach on white pillowcases as it removes the stains and brightens the fabric. However, the bleach is a strong cleaning agent which can weaken the fabric. If you don't rinse off bleach spots properly, they turn yellow. Alternatives such as baking soda and vinegar are better than bleach as they don't damage the fabric.
4. How do you whiten pillowcases in the washing machine?
Use the warm water setting on your washing machine, which is safe for linen fabrics. Warm water will remove stubborn stains. Also, add two cups of vinegar with the detergent before washing and sun drying to whiten the pillowcases.
5. Is it important to wash white pillowcases separately?
Yes, it is important to wash white pillowcases separately to avoid color bleeding. Washing your white pillowcases with other clothes ruins the color because colored clothes leech dye during the wash cycle. This stains white fabrics, giving them a gray, yellow, or dull look. Plus, if you add bleach or whitening agents, they can ruin colored fabrics.
6. How do you keep white pillowcases from becoming yellow?
You can keep your white pillowcases from becoming yellow by washing them more often. Also, avoid adding fabric softeners to the wash cycle. Don’t mix them with colored laundry. You can also use a pillow protector to prevent oil and dirt buildup.
7. Do natural cleaning agents work for white pillowcases?
Yes, natural cleaning agents work for white pillowcases. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are good fabric-whitening agents. They are also more gentle than bleach.
8. How do I keep my white pillowcases clean for longer?
You can buy pillowcases from Mizu. These self-cleaning, antimicrobial pillowcases prevent bacterial growth, keeping away odor. Clean pillowcases are good for your skin as they reduce acne. Mizu has silver-infused pillowcases that stay clean for much longer and prevent bacterial buildup.
Conclusion
This step-by-step guide of washing white pillow covers will help clean the stains and remove odor from your bedding.
We hope you will thoroughly clean your white pillow covers and bedding by implementing these tips and tricks, so that you don't have to buy pillowcases now and then!
Disclaimer
Mizu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
You may also like: Where to Buy Bamboo Pillowcases? Best Places to Buy with EXTRA Discounts!
