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Why do pillows turn yellow or develop yellow stains? Well, you can stop your wondering because we’re here to tell you everything we know about what they are, what causes them and how to prevent them and when to know that it’s time to replace your pillows.
Why do pillows turn yellow?
Pillows, especially white pillows, turn yellow due to a lot of of different factors such as drool, sweat stains, the body’s natural oils, wet hair and products such as lotions, face creams and other beauty products. In short, liquids and moisture are the main reasons why pillows turn yellow.
Another reason why pillows turn yellow is humidity, although this often only happens in places and bedrooms with very high humidity.
Below are all the possible reasons why your pillows are turning yellow.
Drool
Some people drool while they sleep. This can contribute to pillows turning yellow, especially if you drool often while you sleep.
Sweat
Sweat is most definitely the main culprit when it comes to yellow stains on pillows. Everyone sweats when they sleep, some more so than others especially those who suffer from night sweats. The pockets of moisture caused by pooled sweat can turn a pillow yellow in a very short amount of time.
Body oils
Every living and breathing human being excretes natural body oils that can contribute to pillows and bedding turning yellow. This, combined with sweat and dead skin cells, contribute to yellow staining on pillows.
Beauty products, night face cream and lotion
Beauty products such as face night creams, lotions and face oils can also be a main contributing factor to the yellowing of pillows. Skin products, especially ones that are oil-based, contribute largely to yellow stains which can be more difficult to remove if left unwashed for some time.
Wet hair
Sleeping with wet hair can also turn pillows yellow. The moisture from the hair along with any leave-in hair products can seep into the pillow which would not only be detrimental to the pillow cover but to the pillow fill as well. This can cause pillows to wear down faster, especially memory foam pillows.
Humidity
Bedrooms with a very high moisture content in the air can contribute to the yellowing of pillows.
If your bedroom is very humid, you might want to look into getting a dehumidifier. This can not only help with preventing yellow pillow stains but also help curb the growth of mold and mildew in both your bedding, mattress and furniture. Using a dehumidifier can also reduce dust which in turn can help prevent the spread of dust mites.
How to clean a yellow stained pillow
A yellow stained pillow can be cleaned as long as you clean them as soon as you see the stains appear. Stains that have been on the pillow for a long time can be difficult to remove even with a mixture of industrial strength bleach and laundry detergent.
Step 1: Check the care tag on your pillow
Before any thing else, check the care tag on your pillow and follow proper care instructions. There are some pillows that can be washed in their entirety, while others – especially ones like the Ghostpillow that are made from all-foam – can only be spot cleaned. These types of pillows usually have removable pillow covers which are the only things that can be washed. Most care instructions always require you to use the gentlest cleaning cycle on your machine.
Step 2: Use a stain removal spray on the yellow spots
You can jumpstart the cleaning process by using a stain removal spray on the yellow spots before putting the stained pillows into the washing machine. You can also use a stain removal spray to spot treat stains on pillows that cannot be machine-washed. This type of spray works on both yellow and brown stains.
Step 3: Put your pillow in the washing machine
Once you have confirmed that the entire pillow can be safely cleaned in the washing machine, wash pillows as per the care label. For fresh stains, always only use a mild laundry detergent and the gentlest wash cycle. Using a gentle detergent ensures that your pillow fill will stay intact and that the fibers won’t break down easily.
For spot cleaning, use a damp cloth and a mixture of mild laundry detergent and baking soda and wipe the stained area gently. You can also use dishwasher detergent in a pinch. Leave to air dry thoroughly before using.
Step 4: Dry on low heat
Pillows that can be machine-washed usually also mean that they can be tumble-dried. Always take proper care to use the lowest setting.
To help fluff your pillows up, you can include a couple of tennis balls or dryer balls when you dry them. Always ensure that your pillows are thoroughly dry before arranging them on your bed and using them.
Ways to prevent yellow stains from appearing on your pillow
While you can’t really help yourself from sweating or drooling, there are a few ways to help prevent yellow stains from appearing on your pillow.
Use a pillow protector
We always recommend using a pillow protector, especially when using a new pillow.
Pillow protectors are crucial when you want to prevent stains from appearing on your pillows. They work by keeping moisture out and also help with preventing stains from any spills or accidents. They usually have a waterproof barrier that repels any type of liquid or moisture. Use a pillow protector before putting on a pillowcase on your pillow.
Dry your hair before sleeping
If you have no time to air dry your hair before sleeping, use a hair dryer to dry your hair thoroughly. Remember, sleeping with sopping wet hair can not only harm your pillow cover but the filling as well.
Remove makeup before sleeping
If you’re too tired (or a little too inebriated, we won’t judge) to wash your makeup off before sleeping, you can take your makeup off with makeup remover wipes. Always keep a pack on your nightstand. Your pillows and your face will thank you.
When to replace an old pillow and get a new one
You know it’s time to replace your pillows when the yellow stains are numerous and they won’t come off even with the strongest washing detergent you can find.
Badly stained pillows not only look bad but they could also harbor dust mites and mildew which could cause long term health problems, especially if you are someone who suffers from allergies.
When purchasing new pillows, always include pillow protectors to help prevent staining while helping extend the lifespan of your pillows.
FAQs
It is normal for a pillow to develop yellow stains in time as it is unavoidable for humans to sweat and drool while they sleep.
It is safe to sleep on lightly stained pillows as long as they are still comfortable and proper care maintenance is followed and you don’t mind the look (they are covered by pillowcases anyway). BUT, if your pillow is badly stained and no amount of cleaning can help, then it is time for a replacement.
Blood and food spills are usually the causes of brown pillow stains. Spot clean and/or wash pillows immediately should spills or accidents happen to prevent staining.
Conclusion
Yellow-stained pillows can still be used safely as long as proper care maintenance is followed and the pillows themselves are still comfortable enough to sleep on.
Yellow stains are normal but these can be prevented with the use of pillow protectors. A badly stained pillow should be replaced because not only would they look bad but they could harbor allergens which could be detrimental to one’s health.
Next step: Read our Nuzzle pillow review. If your pillow is stained beyond repair, then it’s time to get a new one. We like Nuzzle because it’s comfortable, cooling, and available at a low cost. If you aren’t sure which pillow to get, go with Nuzzle.
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