A quality pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep. But pillows go through a lot of wear and tear. They absorb sweat and moisture over time, causing them to turn yellow. These unsightly stains usually mean you need a new pillow. 

This guide will help you troubleshoot your pillow’s yellow stains and keep them in tip-top shape.

What causes pillows to turn yellow?

Moisture 

Ultimately, moisture is your culprit. Keeping pillows dry is key to keeping them looking bright and white. But all pillows will need to be replaced at some point, no matter how well you take care of them. They aren’t meant to last indefinitely--even quality luxury pillows have a shelf life.

Beauty Products and Makeup

If you’re like us, and you hate washing your face at night because all you want to do is fall into bed, your makeup can cause yellow stains (and all the colors of the rainbow, depending on how done up you are). 

Beauty products, especially oil-based beauty products, can also contribute to yellowing. Any extra moisture on your pillow at night is undesirable and can cause stains over time. Let your bedtime beauty products sink in before you go to sleep.

Body Sweat

You might not realise it, but everyone’s head gets a little sweaty when they sleep. Your body can create a sweaty landscape on your pillow every single night, it will eventually lead to yellow stains. 

Skin and Body Lotion

Your skin is a marvelous oily organ. But body oil, natural or synthetic, will make your pillows and mattresses yellow. Body lotion will do the same thing. So while it's cool that your skin can take care of itself, for the most part, it will also cause staining over time if you’re not careful to protect your pillows. 

Drool

When you sleep hard, you drool. But it’s kind of a human thing, meaning we’ve all done it. But when you do it on your pillows, it leads to stains. 

There are a lot of reasons for drooling at night, but there are ways to reduce it. 

But did you know that the right pillow can also keep you from drooling? Back sleepers will drool less because of gravity, leaving their pillows nice and dry, compared to side sleepers.

Wet Hair

When you wash your hair right before bed, it soaks into the pillow. Again, you want to keep your pillow as dry as possible. A clean head of hair is a bonus, but make sure it's dry before you lay down.

How do I remove yellow stains from a pillow?

If you’re already fighting yellow stains, we have solutions. The very first one: buy a new pillow. 

But, if your pillow still has some life in it, follow these steps to remove yellow stains:

  1. Always check the care label first. Some types of fill can’t be washed and need to be dry cleaned.
  2. You can spot-treat the stains with washing up liquid. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and follow this step by step guide on how to wash your pillows. 
  3. If that doesn’t work, white vinegar will do the trick. Spot-treat liberally with undiluted vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse and repeat with cold water until the stain is removed, and wash pillows accordingly. 

How to keep your pillow white:

1 - Wash your pillows regularly

Yellow stains usually come with odor and a load of allergens. Over time, an unwashed pillow will become a haven for bacteria, mold, dust mites, and other beasts. Wash your pillows every 3-6 months to keep them clean. 

Again, always check the care label. Natural fibers like goose down can’t always be machine washed and will need to be dry cleaned.

2 - Change your pillowcases every week

Your pillowcase needs washing more regularly than your pillows. Don’t let it go 3-6 months between changing it! Wash it weekly. Better yet, have an extra (clean) one handy on the rare (or frequent) occasion that you’re overrun with dirty laundry. 

3 - Wash your face before bedtime

It's no surprise that a dirty face will make a dirty pillow. Washing your face every night before bed will keep your pillow looking white and clean. 

So make it a bedtime routine. Call it self-care. Give yourself a face massage while you’re at it. Whatever you have to do to make it happen, wash your face before bed. But don’t do it at the last minute. Give that moisturiser some time to dry before you call it a day. 

4 - Buy a pillow protector

One of the best ways to keep your pillow white is to buy a pillow protector. But there are other benefits. 

It will protect your pillow from mold and mildew that will grow when it's exposed to moisture. It will also keep it allergen-free by keeping dust mites and other nasties from making a home in your pillow. These are the most common allergens in the home, so buying a protective pillowcase will also keep you healthy.

Say goodbye to yellow stains

You don’t have to live with yellow pillows anymore, so throw them out. With this useful guide, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of the white pillow (and knowing when to give up and buy a new one).

Yellow pillows are a thing of the past, a bygone relic.

At Sleepseeker, we offer a wide range of bedding including duvets, mattress protectors and mattress toppers.

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