Wash and Whiten Yellowed Pillows

Be honest here. Do you wash your pillows? I'm talking about the actual PILLOW itself, not just the sham.

That's what I thought.

Up until the beginning of this year, I never even thought to wash the actual pillow itself. And who knows how OLD the sixteen pillows we have on our bed are (we seriously have around that number because the hubs and I fight over pillows EVERY NIGHT). The overall recommendation that I've read is that pillows should be washed twice a year.

Honestly, when I started washing our pillows for the first time, it was kind of gross taking in and seeing how YELLOW our pillows really were. I know, TMI and way over sharing. But if you think about it, when we are sleeping, our bodies sweat and cool down to keep our body regulated. Imagine with me here: as the sweat dries, it’s kind of similar to the part of a soaked T-shirt under the armpits after profusely sweating - it gets yellow. Gross!

So every January and July, I diligently ensure that I wash all of our pillows. Not only that, since I'm going through the hassle anyway, I tackle the yellowing problem.

Bleach is my answer. I don't know about you, but I fret every time I have to use liquid bleach. From opening a new bottle and having to tear off the protecting cover to carefully pouring it in a tiny spout on my washer, I can always bet that I'll somehow manage to splash it on the shirt I'm wearing, my hands, or somehow getting it on the floor.

Low and behold, Clorox® has come out with two innovative products that will solve my bleach woes: Clorox® Bleach Crystals™ and Clorox® Bleach Packs™. These two products take the fear out of using bleach with no more spills, splashes, or bleach damage by activating with water only.

As an added benefit, the Clorox® Bleach Packs™ not only are easy to use, but you can toss it in and walk away from your laundry. Seriously, I love the new innovations of cleaning products that have been created as of late that take a teeny tiny step out of a process, but makes things so convenient (think of other similarly packaged items like laundry and detergent pods). Anyway, I grabbed a few containers and brought them home to try on my pillows. Here are the results and directions on how you can wash and whiten YOUR pillows.

Here are my BEFORE photos:

Here are the AFTER photos:

Directions
1. Make sure you read the pillow's care label to make sure that it can be machine washed.
2. Add in Clorox® Bleach Crystals™ and Clorox® Bleach Packs™ and wash your pillow on hot.

3. Wash it AGAIN in another hot cycle.

Tips on Drying Your Pillows
1. To fluff the pillows as the tumble dry, add any of these:

• Tennis balls covered in clean socks
• Aluminum foil balled up covered in clean socks
• A purchased dryer ball

2. Use a low setting. That's it! You should have CLEAN and VERY white pillows. Your momma would be proud.

Pin this image below on your "cleaning board" as a reminder on how to wash and whiten yellowed pillows!

Now seriously, before you read this, how often did you wash your pillows? Comment below!

More Pillow Inspiration

• 10 Minute DIY Throw Pillow
• Infusible Ink Pillow Project
• Grain Sack Pillow Fabric
• Summertime Accent Throw Pillows
• Wash and Whiten Yellowed Pillows
• Personalized Family Pillow