Bleach is too harsh on pillows but 2 natural items can remove stains in 15 minutes

Many of us will take advantage of the sunny weather this week to tackle some spring and air out our , but do not forget to wash your too. Pillows are often overlooked when it comes to washing , but over time, they become stained by sweat, hair oil and skin cells, which can build up in the fabric.

This will result in musty and yellowing pillows crawling with bacteria that will be unpleasant to sleep on. However, according to the experts at , giving pillows a deep clean and getting stains out is incredibly easy as long as you use the right items.

They said: "While it might be difficult to avoid stains on your linen altogether, the good news is that they are surprisingly easy to clean. In just a few simple steps, your yellow pillows will be transformed back into bright, white pillows in no time."

How to properly wash pillows and get them clean again

You do not even need a washing machine to get stains out of your pillows. All you need is a little bit of lemon juice and baking soda.

The expert said: "To remove stains from pillowcases without damaging them, first sprinkle baking soda over the stained area. Next, add a small amount of lemon juice on top, then let the mixture sit for about fifteen minutes."

Many people make the mistake of using bleach to whiten and wash their pillows, but the strong chemicals can cause discolouration and wear down the fabric, which can lead to holes.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which naturally breaks down any oils or grime on fabric to get rid of stains.

It also has natural bleaching properties, so it will help whiten pillows and lighten stains without having to use a harsh cleaner.

Baking soda is very absorbent, so it will remove any unpleasant smells from your pillows. It is also mildly abrasive, so it can scrub away stains without harming the fabric.

Method:

Apply both lemon juice and baking soda, wait for 15 minutes and then wash them like you normally would.

You can either soak the pillows in warm water with some laundry detergent, or you can place them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle that is at least 40C.

If you wish, you can add 120ml of white vinegar to the detergent drawer as it is a natural fabric softener, which can also help remove stubborn stains from pillows.

The expert said: "If your pillowcases are especially dirty, try using the vinegar laundry hack to freshen things up."

After the pillows have been washed, it is best to hang them outside as sunlight can react the acid in lemon juice, which will also help lighten stains and brighten the fabric.

Once the pillows have fully dried, they should be fresh, clean and completely white so you can a pleasant night's sleep without worrying about dirty bedding.