How To Whiten Your Pillows And Mattress
Everything in the house needs to be cleaned and cared for. The mattress and pillows are no exception. These objects discolor or stain over time. In addition, they become an environment conducive to the multiplication of mites and emit an unpleasant odor.
Want to know how to remove stains and leave a bright white mark? Find out in today’s article how to whiten your pillows and bed mattress.
Why do pillows and mattresses turn yellow?
You may have often wondered why pillows stain over time. Even if it seems hard to believe, one of the main causes is sweating.
Sometimes, while we sleep, we sweat. Depending on the material of which the pillow is made, perspiration can be soaked in it more or less. When it dries, it leaves yellow spots on the pillow.
Often it doesn’t even matter what pillowcase you use. Sweat passes through this material and reaches the pillow. Thus, it turns yellow and becomes the ideal environment for the multiplication of mites. Sweat creates moisture, favoring the appearance of small arachnids.
In case you didn’t know, mites can cause both respiratory problems and allergic skin reactions. That is why it is important to clean the pillows well. Also check what these objects in your bedroom look like to prevent any inconvenience that may occur in the future.
Beware of sun exposure
Another reason why pillows can discolor is exposure to the sun for long periods of time. The sun’s rays can discolor the cushion cover.
The “culprits” are the bleaching agents used to whiten pillows. When exposed to sunlight, they break down and the color of the pillow changes.
Be careful not to expose your pillows to too much sun!
How to whiten pillows
You need to wash your pillows three times a year. It is enough to make sure that they are kept in optimal condition.
First, you need to check if the pillow has no yellow spots and is mostly still white. If it is already compromised, you will not get the results you want.
The next step is to prepare a natural bleach.
ingredients
- 3 liters of water
- ¼ cup (62 ml) of lemon juice
- 1 cup (250 ml) hydrogen peroxide
Method of preparation
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Set the mixture aside to use it to whiten pillows.
Let’s see now how the whitening process is done.
ingredients
- Hot or boiling water
- 1 cup (200 g) laundry detergent (best biodegradable)
- 1 cup (200 g) of biodegradable dishwashing detergent
- 1 cup (250 ml) natural bleach (see recipe above)
- 1/2 cup (125 g) of borax
Method of preparation
- First, check the labels to see if the pillow can be machine washed.
- Then remove the face or pillowcases.
- Set the washing machine for hot water or white clothes. You can add two pots of boiling water, if you wish. If possible, program the machine for two rinsing cycles.
- Add the ingredients to the washing machine.
- Then start the wash cycle. First wait for the machine to mix the ingredients for the detergent to dissolve.
- Put the pillows in the washing machine and let it continue the washing cycle. In this way, the bleach can act on the materials that cover the pillow.
How to clean the mattress
The same thing that happens with pillows applies to the bed mattress. That is why it is necessary to protect it with sheets that need to be washed regularly.
In addition, it is important to ventilate the mattress every week. From time to time, you have to wash it to keep it in optimal condition.
- To clean the mattress properly, you need to vacuum on both sides of it to remove dust.
- If it has stains, you can clean them with a mixture of water and baking soda. After putting this paste on the stain, rub with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide diluted in plain water.
- Allow the mattress to dry.
- If it has a bad smell that doesn’t go away, you can spray the room with a little air freshener. However, this is a personal choice that depends on your and your family’s preferences.
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