Pillows, we had what you would call a love-hate relationship with pillows. First, you set them all up; the perfect amount of head, neck, and shoulder support, looking crisp and clean… until they don’t. Then you pick one up, fluff it, and it’s not white anymore; it’s beige, or sometimes worse, yellow. Sad sad yellow, like it’s spent too many summers in the sun. Not quite the impression we wanted to make in our bedroom! My husband hates it when pillows get even a bit yellowish. He’s like “let’s throw them away!”
But wait! Don’t toss it just yet! If the pillow still feels somewhat full—if it hasn’t gone completely flat or volcano lumpy—that yellowing is not a permanent issue. And, surprisingly, you can fix it. Not with potions, just a wash and some simple household products you probably already have.
Check the Pillow
First step: assess it honestly. If it’s leaking stuffing or looking flat as a pancake, it’s time to retire it. No washing will restore the pillow’s full support. But if it’s simply stained and generally tired-looking, good—that’s what we’re working with.
What You Will Need
Don’t overthink this. You aren’t concocting a science experiment. You just need:
- Old pillows
- Gentle laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- A washing machine large enough to handle them
- A dryer
- Optional: tennis balls (very helpful)
Prep to Wash
First, strip them down. Pillowcases, protectors—everything off. You want the pillow bare. Next, take it outside, give it some shakes, maybe a whack or two for good measure. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it helps loosen dust before the wash.
The Washing
Here’s the thing: do NOT put one pillow in the machine. You need to wash two so they balance each other out. Use a mild detergent—no harsh chemicals, you don’t want to mess with the filling.
Set the machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. Add half a cup of baking soda to help cut through smells and stains. If you have a front loader, add one cup of vinegar in the fabric softener slot. The vinegar helps brighten and break down stains.
The Drying of the Pillows
When the wash is done, go straight to the dryer. Use a low setting. Do NOT turn it on high—that will ruin the filling. If you have a couple of old tennis balls, toss them in. They bounce around and prevent the pillow from clumping into sad lumps.
Most importantly, the pillow must dry completely. If it’s still damp inside, congratulations—you’ve just grown mold. If they still feel heavy or wet after the first cycle, run it again.
Whitening Old Pillows
Want them to look like they did when you bought them? You can take it a step further. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the outside of the pillow. Then—and this is key—let them sit in the sunshine for a few hours. The combination of peroxide and sunlight does the bleaching for you. Simple and effective.
Once the pillows are dry, fluff them up well. Back in the pillowcases they go, and you will be amazed at how much better they look and feel.
And that’s all there is to it. No frills, no expensive “whitening powder”, just vinegar, baking soda, your go to detergent, and sunlight. This basic method will revive your old pillows instead of discarding them.
They’re not always going to last forever—nothing lasts forever!—but you can squeeze some more life out of those pillows until you finally decide to break down and buy new ones. Ideally, when you finally lay your head down, you’ll be laying your head down, not on a sad yellow sack, but on a, at least for a short while, brand new pillow.
