Pillows are often neglected when doing laundry, though keeping them clean is crucial for preventing a build-up of grime.  Pillows can accumulate sweat, body oils, saliva, and shed skin, which not only sounds ghastly but can also result in those all-too-familiar yellowish stains if they aren’t laundered several times throughout the year. With spring approaching, many households will seize the opportunity to give their bedding a thorough spring clean, and luckily, this doesn't necessitate harsh chemicals or pricey concoctions.

Housekeeping guru Lona Praytor, the brains behind Making Lemonade, shared her surprisingly straightforward method for washing pillows.  She claimed that you only need to use your regular detergent with white vinegar to remove “years works of pillow stains”.

White vinegar stands out as an exceptional household cleaner thanks to its acetic acid content, which makes it adept at dissolving stubborn stains such as sweat and body oils that pillows often harbour.

Beyond its stain-removing abilities, white vinegar boasts antibacterial qualities, making it excellent for sanitising fabric and annihilating dust mites lurking within your bedding.

In addition, vinegar plays a role in eliminating any residue from past detergent use, culminating in softer and fresher-feeling pillows.

While any detergent can be used, Lona recommends opting for one that lacks potent perfumes and dyes.

For those with sensitive skin, it might be best to use a laundry detergent specifically designed for sensitive skin when washing pillows, as this will minimise the build-up of soapy residue on the fabric.

To clean your pillows and remove stains, start by only loading two pillows at a time into the washing machine. Always check the care label first to ensure they are safe to wash.

Use just a small amount of laundry detergent to prevent soap residue from building up. Set the washing machine to a gentle, warm water cycle and let the pillows wash.

After the initial wash, set the machine to a second rinse cycle. At this point, add white vinegar to the compartment where you’d usually put fabric softener. Ensure you also put the pillows on a spin cycle to extract most of the water.

Next, either hang your pillows up to dry or place them in the tumble dryer on a low heat setting. Again, check the care label to confirm they can be dried this way.

If using a tumble dryer, consider adding wool dryer balls. These help to fluff up your pillows and prevent them from clumping together during the drying process.

Once your pillows are dry, they should be stain-free and fresh, ready for you to enjoy a comfortable sleep in a completely clean bed.