You must learn how to clean pillow cases in two steps. This is important because some pillows like the ones from Tempurpedic are not washable. There are also pillow materials that you can’t get wet, so you can only maintain clean pillows using washable pillowcases.
While sun exposure, wiping, or vacuuming can quickly clean pillowcases, there are some practices to get them thoroughly sanitized. The guide below will keep them from being grimy, and you can also recover pillowcases with stains and odor. You can also choose to hand wash them or use the washing machine.
How To Clean Pillow Cases By Washing
Step #1. Prepare and treat
Check tag
You want to prepare the materials and the pillowcases before you start washing. Remember that pillowcases can use different fabrics, so you must familiarize yourself with the proper cleaning recommendations for them. Furthermore, you must check the tag from the manufacturer if your pillowcase can be washed in the first place.
Remove stain
After you separate the pillowcase from the pillow, you can pre-treat it first to remove stains and discoloration. This cover serves as the pillow’s barrier, so it’s not surprising that it has various residues. You can use a stain remover and work the discolorations with a brush or even some liquid soap with vinegar.
Soak and deodorize
Afterward, fill a tub with hot water, baking soda, and gentle detergent to ensure that the fibers get cleaned. This will also deodorize the material, especially when your pillowcase needs deep cleansing. Scrub the fabric onto itself and check the surfaces if you’ve rubbed them thoroughly.
Step #2. Wash and dry
Rinse and launder
After you scrubbed and deodorized your pillowcase, soak it in another sink of water overnight or less until the water turns clear. Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation, you can continue washing the pillowcase in your washing machine in a gentle cycle with mild detergent. This will eliminate residues and leftover detergent on the material.
Dry thoroughly
If your pillowcase is not machine washable, you can simply launder it by hand. Then, rinse the material thoroughly until it’s free of soapy residues. For drying, you can aerate it outside or somewhere with good air circulation.
Otherwise, use the dryer according to the pillowcase tag. Do note that using gentle settings and cleansers are the safest way to wash and keep pillowcases clean. In some cases, the material can handle hot water, regular detergent, and a typical dryer setting
What Are The Yellow Stains On My Pillowcase?
You might be wondering why washing pillowcases require pre-treatment, as discussed in step one. Regardless if you notice a handful of stains or not, this procedure will ensure that your pillowcase material is cleaned thoroughly. This will also address those stubborn yellow stains on the fabric.
Remember that pillowcases get exposed to moisture, sweat, oils, and saliva every night. As gross as it sounds, they can cause yellow stains that are difficult to remove. However, daily wear and direct sunlight can also cause discoloration.
How To Clean A Silk Pillowcase
Not everyone is fond of using cotton or polyester materials for their pillowcase. A more luxurious and skin-friendly option is a silk pillowcase, but people often overlook it because it’s trickier to clean. However, you can always gently wash by hand to prevent the fibers from getting damaged.
If there are stains, use your fingers and work some detergent onto the material. Let it soak for 15 minutes, and you can wash the silk pillowcase without wringing or twisting. Use cold water throughout the process and skip the use of harsh cleaners like bleach.
Rinse the fabric thoroughly and dry the silk outside on a sunny day. Air-drying is the best way to dry your silk since heat can damage the material. Otherwise, use the most gentle and heat-free dryer setting quickly and finish the drying process somewhere ventilated.
How To Keep Pillowcases Clean
You can do simple practices to keep grime from recurring on your pillowcases. For example, you want to ensure that the linens you’re using are also cleaned well regularly using oxygenated bleach to remove residues and discourage stains. And as for the pillowcase, never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets because they encourage oils’ build-up.
Your pillowcases will also benefit if you change them weekly. This way, you’re lessening the build-up of grime, dirt, and other yucky substances on the fibers. Showering every night before you sleep is also a simple yet effective practice to lessen the pillowcase’s dirt, sweat, makeup, oils, or hair products.
Conclusion
The pillowcase ensures that our pillow is well-protected from dirt, oils, and other nasty stuff that can accumulate over time. Therefore, learning how to clean pillow cases must ensure good hygiene and help our pillow last longer. The best way to do so is by washing the materials.
Start by pre-treating the stains using a brush and liquid soap and then soak the fabric in hot water, baking soda, and detergent to deodorize it and remove the residues. After this initial preparation, you can place the pillowcase in the washing machine according to the tag instructions.
Once done, you can use the dryer or place the pillowcase outside to dry it thoroughly. To keep your pillowcases fresh, aim to replace them weekly and always shower before bed. This lessens the build-up of dirt and grime for easier cleaning.