Forget expensive cleaning products or replacing discoloured pillows—a revolutionary household hack using a 49p kitchen staple is delivering astonishing results for Brits battling yellowed bedding.
Pillows inevitably accumulate sweat, body oils, and stains over time, leaving them looking dingy and yellow despite regular washing. But according to cleaning experts, your washing machine alone isn't enough to tackle the deep-seated grime.
The 49p Miracle Worker Hiding in Your Kitchen
The secret weapon? Simple baking soda. This humble, inexpensive ingredient is being hailed as a laundry game-changer for its powerful deodorising and stain-lifting properties.
"Many people don't realise that washing pillows in a machine doesn't always remove the deeply ingrained oils and sweat that cause yellowing," explains a leading cleaning specialist. "Baking soda acts as a powerful absorbent and gentle abrasive, lifting what your detergent can't reach."
How To Transform Your Pillows in 3 Simple Steps
- Pre-Treat: Begin by removing your pillowcase and placing the bare pillow in a large, empty laundry basket or clean bath.
- The Magic Dusting: Generously sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of the pillow, focusing on visible yellow stains and areas that come into contact with skin and hair.
- The Rest: Let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes, or for heavily soiled pillows, leave it overnight. The longer it sits, the more oil and odour it absorbs.
For an extra freshness boost, many experts recommend adding a few drops of essential oil, like lavender or tea tree, to the baking soda before application.
Why This Method Beats Your Washing Machine Every Time
While tossing pillows in the wash is standard practice, it often fails to break down the body oils that seep deep into the filling. Baking soda's fine granules work to absorb and neutralise these oils and odours at the source, something liquid detergents struggle with.
After the baking soda has worked its magic, you can then put the pillow through a gentle machine wash as usual to rinse everything away, revealing a noticeably brighter, fresher, and whiter pillow.
This simple, cost-effective method is revolutionising laundry routines across the UK, proving that sometimes the best solutions are already sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
