Pillows often become dirty and stained in winter due to people sweating at night with their heating on (Image: Getty)
Most people do not realise that they should be washing their pillows, but if you wake up with a stuffy nose or itchy face then it is time to give them a deep clean.
often become with sweat and body oils during the winter as many people sleep with their heating on, which can lead to bacteria becoming trapped in the .
Not only will this make your less hygienic, but it can also cause the pillow to harbour dust or even pollen when spring arrives.
Once these materials become soaked into a pillow, it will cause it to smell musty, have yellow stains and cause you to sneeze a lot, making it uncomfortable to sleep on.
However, David Smith, an expert from has shared that getting pillows again is easy. All you need is lemon juice and .
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All you need is lemon juice and baking soda to remove tough stains like sweat from pillows (Image: Getty)
He said: “Create a paste using lemon juice and baking soda, then gently rub it onto the yellow stains. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly and allowing the pillow to dry.”
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which has antibacterial properties that can break down tough fabric stains without requiring a harsh chemical cleaner. It also naturally whitens fabric, so your pillows will be clean and bright and smell amazing once again.
Baking soda works with lemon juice to help lift the pillow stains and is very absorbent, so it will help remove any horrible smells from your pillows that can be difficult to get rid of, such as sweat.
All you need to do is mix lemon juice with just enough baking soda to form a paste. Then, rub the paste onto the stains on your pillows and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Once the time is up, use a soft brush to gently scrub the fabric to lift the stain and then rinse the pillow with warm water.
Hang pillows out to dry in the sun which will also help clean them (Image: Getty)
Next, place the pillows in the washing machine. Polyester, synthetic, and cotton pillows are usually fine to wash on a warm cycle, while feather and down pillows should be washed on a cold cycle.
Always check the care label on your pillows to ensure you wash them properly. Never place memory foam pillows in the washing machine, as it will only damage the material.
When the pillows have been washed, they should be dried outside if possible. Sunlight reacts to lemon juice, so we will continue to whiten and clean the pillows while they are drying.
David said: “Sunlight can help naturally bleach and freshen pillows. After spot treating or washing, hang the pillows in direct sunlight to dry. Rotate them occasionally for even exposure and ensure they are completely dry before using them again.”
If it is not possible to hang the pillows outdoors, hang them inside near a window or place them in the tumble dryer on a gentle low heat. Again, make sure to check the care label to determine the best way to dry them.
Your pillows should then be completely clean and stain-free naturally without having to spend money on more laundry products or use a harsh chemical cleaner.