Angela Patrone, a senior lifestyle reporter, uses soda crystals to whiten pillows that have developed yellow stains. She buys 1kg of soda crystals from Home Bargains for less than £2.
How to Use Soda Crystals on Pillows
Patrone first checks the pillow's wash label to confirm it can go in the washing machine. For her pillow, the maximum temperature was 40°C. She adds one scoop of soda crystals to the drum along with a laundry detergent capsule. To prevent the pillow from clumping, she also includes other white laundry in the load.
Because the wash is limited to 40°C, Patrone adds a laundry disinfectant to the washing machine drawer, such as Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Sanitiser, to kill bacteria. She notes that any brand of laundry sanitiser works.
Drying and Additional Whitening
After washing and spinning, Patrone places the pillow on an airer outside in the sun. The sun's UV rays naturally break down any remaining stain particles, further whitening the fabric without chemicals.
Patrone says she washes pillows only once a year, though twice a year is recommended. She also uses soda crystals to soften towels, whiten bed sheets, and remove brown stains from white socks.
