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DYE-FREE CLEANING
FEATURED
YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS
ExPLORE
SUPPORT
DYE-FREE CLEANING
Those unpleasant yellow pillowcase stains come from natural oils in our hair and skin (also known as sebum), as well as sweat, drool, and residue from hair and skincare products that transfer to our pillows when we sleep. Over time, these oils can seep through your pillowcase and onto your pillow, leaving yellow- or orange-colored stains.
These body oils don’t start off yellow, though; they’re initially colorless. As they rub off of our skin and onto our pillowcases and pillows, they interact with the air, triggering a process called oxidation. It’s this same process that causes metal to rust, fruit to brown after it’s sliced, and yellow pit stains to appear on your favorite white tee. When the sebum from our skin reacts with the air, it turns that familiar gold hue you see on your pillows and pillowcases.
Certain skincare products are also known to stain fabrics. Retinoids, like retinol or tretinoin, and vitamin C serums are both guilty of this.
To remove those stubborn yellow sweat stains, it’s time to give those pillows a wash. But before you throw them in the laundry, it’s important to check the care instructions on your pillows and pillowcases. Memory-foam pillows, for example, cannot be cleaned in the washer (we recommend spot cleaning for those). That’s why you should always read the label and follow the laundering instructions in order to ensure that your bedding doesn’t get damaged.
If you’re able to wash them in your washer, add an oxygen bleach (also commonly referred to as non-chlorine bleach or color-safe bleach) to lift stains and brighten fabrics without the harsh chemicals found in traditional stain removers or chlorine bleach. Oxygen-bleach cleaners, like our Truly Free Home Non-Toxic Oxyboost, are the key to getting your pillows and pillowcases bright and clean.
For stubborn stains, start with an oxygen-bleach pre-soak. All you have to do is mix it with hot water and let your pillows and pillowcases soak for a few hours, or overnight. When using oxygen bleach to whiten pillows and remove mild stains, just add it in the washing machine with your favorite detergent. Make sure to use warm or hot water (per your bedding’s care instructions), as hot water is better at removing stains.
Next, it’s time to dry. Avoid using heat to dry your pillows and pillowcases until you’ve gotten the stains out, since heat can set stains. If you pull your pillow out of the washer and find the staining is still visible, set it out in the sun for a few hours and allow the sunlight to naturally bleach it. From there, you can either leave it out to dry fully or throw it in the dryer once the stain is gone. Either way, it’s critical that your pillow gets completely dry. Otherwise, residual moisture in the pillow can lead to mold growth.
When it comes to stain prevention, there are three habits you can implement to keep your pillows crisp and clean.
The first is regular washing and maintenance. Aim to wash your pillows twice a year and your pillowcases once a week.
The second is to use a pillow protector. Pillow protectors act as an added layer of protection between your pillow and pillowcase, reducing the amount of moisture and oil that seeps through.
The third is to allow your skin- and haircare products time to absorb before going to bed. Minimize the amount of product that transfers to your pillowcase by allowing time for your skincare go-tos to absorb before you lay down for the night.
While yellow pillow stains are unsightly, they’re nearly universal. But with a few tricks and a simple wash routine, you can rest easy knowing they’ll be gone in no time.
