No washing machine needed: this is how you can whiten your pillows so they look like new

Pillows are one of the essential items in homes around the world. This item helps your body rest at bedtime.

The main objective of using pillows for sleeping is to keep the spine straight, filling the hollow of the neck to relax the nape of the neck, avoid muscle tension, reduce the stress accumulated during the day and help achieve a pleasant sleep.

However, many people are unaware that this is one of the household items used daily that is exposed to a greater amount of bacteria, sweat and mites , since pillows are in constant contact with the body, which is exposed to various contaminants on a daily basis.

Also, the direct contact that pillows have with the head means that they can also accumulate sebum, remains of dead cells, hair, hair styling products, makeup or saliva, so they can become a nest of microorganisms and dirt if they are not cleaned frequently.

According to the ' Cuerpo Mente ' website, due to the dirt and contaminants to which pillows are exposed, they take on a yellowish color, which can be difficult to remove, but it indicates that there are home tricks that make cleaning this item easier.

“There are some proven methods that can help reduce or eliminate yellow stains on pillows and pillowcases, and many of them can be accomplished with everyday household items,” explains home cleaning expert David Smith, president of Down and Feather .

The expert also mentions that pillows are one of the most forgotten items when it comes to hygiene , since generally the attention to cleaning the bed is based on sheets, blankets, duvets, pillowcases and so on, leaving aside this important element.

The cleaning expert explained in an interview with the British newspaper ' Daily Express ' what is the correct way to wash pillows and added that with a few ingredients that are generally found at home it is possible to achieve total cleaning.

David Smith recommends using hydrogen peroxide on stains on these items and says that this chemical compound helps remove tough stains from fabric and also acts as a disinfectant. For him, the correct way to clean pillows is as follows:

In addition, the expert recommends that these can also be occasionally exposed to sunlight, since the sun's rays "can help to whiten and refresh the pillows naturally."

“Turn pillows occasionally to ensure even exposure and make sure they are completely dry before using them again,” she said.

On the other hand, ' Business Insider ' indicates that most experts recommend washing pillows between 2 and 3 times a year, although in reality, the frequency of disinfection depends on each person and the use they give to their cushions.

The frequency may be more consistent if you are a person who sweats a lot or does not put pillowcases on your pillows. Still, in general, it may be advisable to wash your pillows every 3 to 6 months at most.

ALEJANDRA HERNANDEZ TORRES

DIGITAL REACH EDITORIAL