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Some people in this house (I’m not naming names, but they are all boys) go through pillows like I go through a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Quickly. They get lumpy, smashed down in the middle, smelly and YELLOW. Ick. I don’t know why, but my boys sweat buckets all night long-like sleeping is a contact sport! Until now, I’ve just thrown them away and gone to buy more cheap pillows for them to destroy. I did try just tossing them in the wash once, but I wasn’t happy with the results. This time, I tried a new “magic” cleaning solution from One Good Thing. Success! THIS is how to wash and whiten pillows!
This is what I started with-a pile of yucky pillows. Honestly, you really can’t see the full extent of the staining in this photo. And trust me, you are lucky you can’t smell them! Especially the top pillow that belongs to Bryce. I’m an really not looking forward to the time when I have three teenagers in my house.
How to Wash and Whiten Pillows
Magic Cleaning Solution to wash and whiten pillows (and other stuff, too!)
- HOT water
- 1 cup laundry detergent
- 1 cup powdered dishwashing detergent
- 1 cup bleach
- 1/2 cup Borax
Before you wash your pillows, make sure the tag says they are washable. 😉 Most synthetic pillows are. Fill the machine about 1/3 of the way with hot water. I added a tea kettle full of boiling water to bring the temperature up even more. Then add all the ingredients of the “magic wash” and turn the washer on agitate for a few minutes to mix and dissolve the soap completely.
Then add your pillows (do two at a time to keep the machine balanced) to the water and finish filling. Let the cycle run (agitating) halfway and then turn the pillows over so each side gets a chance to be fully immersed in the soap solution. Run through the rest of a normal cycle, rinsing twice if you’d like.
The next step is to dry and fluff your pillows back to life! Take a tennis ball and shove it down into the toe of a clean sock. Put the two pillows into the dryer with 2-3 of the “dryer balls” and set on low heat for synthetic materials.
Ta Da! Nice, clean WHITE pillows again. And they smell so fresh, too. Hurray for another Pinterest success! Check out this post for my Top Ten (tested) Pinterest Cleaning Tips. I love it when things actually live up to the hype. 🙂
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Rosemary McNulty says
Another option is to remove the contents of your pillow, insert them into a new pillowcase (doesn’t have to be an expensive one) and stitch up the end. Voila! A ‘new’ pillow! Just make sure your new case is not too big or your new pillow may not be firm enough.
Nicole Burkholder says
Good thinking! You’d still want to do something with the stuffing to clean and freshen it. A day out in the sun would do that, though!
Susie says
Where can you buy the borax?
Nicole Burkholder says
It’s available at any retail store where they sell laundry products. It’s usually with the washing soda, Oxy Clean and other laundry boosters.
Nicole Burkholder says
OR you can order it on Amazon here with my affiliate link—> http://amzn.to/2Edn08r
Cynde says
I have used this cleaning hack for years and love it. Whiten socks, getting formula stains out, too. I have tried it with liquid dishwasher detergent and it did not have as much cleaning power. I have used it on REALLY stained colored clothes which has worked sometimes (it could fade the item so use as a last ditch effort).
Megan says
Excellent! Buying pillows over and over again can be so expensive! It’s nice to know there’s a way to hold that off for awhile. 😀
Pam says
Does the dishwashing detergent have to be powdered or can you use liquid?
Nicole Burkholder says
You know, I’m not sure! I’ve only ever used powder because, that’s what we have, but I really don’t see why not. You may want to use a bit less just in case. 🙂
Jenny says
I think this is a great idea and I’ve read through all the comments but didn’t see my question: How do you add that amount of cleaning solution to a front loading HE washer? We have a brand new LG front loader and the compartment for adding detergent is very small. Thanks!
Nicole Burkholder says
A few people have mentioned the HE washer but no concrete ideas so far. I think someone said they would try half. If you experiment, I would love to hear your results!
Jenny says
OK, I’ll let you know. Thanks!
ann hunting says
I wasn’t happy with my front load pillow washing. I put about 3 inches of straight hot water in my bathtub with the soap solution ( I used oxy clean instead of bleach) and let the pillows soak for about an hour. Then ran them through the wash with some vinegar. Worked great!
Peggy says
I’ve washed pillows in my front load washer numerous times and have always been pleased with the results. That being said I just found couple of seriously old nasty yellow teenage boy funkified pillows that had been pushed into the back of a closet when our eldest moved out. Why? I have no earthly idea… I have never tried to figure out the mind of a 19 year old male. ok I did once but I was much much younger in those days. I am definitely going to give this a try later on today as we have an exchange student moving in with us next week. He deserves fresh pillows!!
Nicole Burkholder says
Hahaha!!! This made me laugh 🙂 Good luck with your pillows 🙂
Marilyn says
I just got a new top load with no agitator and washed my pillows in it and it worked great! My new washer has a huge tub and I could have washed 4 at a time. I had no problem with not enough water. My old agitator washer wrecked my pillows because they puffed up and floated and then when it spun they got ripped by rubbing on the top edge. Never got clean either so I was thrilled with the job my new Kenmore did. I never flipped them mid way or even checked them the washer did it by itself. I will try the formula for the detergent but not so much detergent as my washer is HE.
Beverly says
You can also use 1 cup dish detergent, 1 cup bleach and the normal amount of your laundry detergent. This “recipe” is excellent for white tablecloths that have become stained. We catered for several years and this worked very well.
Margaret says
Thanks for the info. I’m going to give this a try.
Sharon says
Can you do this with old style feather pillows? I mean completely feather no fiberfill or anything else. Pillows are O-L-D but well loved.
Nicole Burkholder says
According to Heloise (via Good Housekeeping) you CAN wash feather pillows. Just use half of the cleaning solution and run the cycle on gentle. Dry them the same way, especially with the tennis balls to keep them from clumping up. If they seem a bit musty, finish drying by placing in the sun.
Rose says
Can I use my regular laundry soap?
Nicole Burkholder says
Yes, that should be fine, as long as it’s a decent quality soap and not dollar store stuff. 🙂
Rose says
Is GAIN necessary or can I use my normal laundry soap?
Nicole Burkholder says
I believe any laundry soap will do just fine.
Julie says
I have done this, it is AWESOME. I have one pillow that doesn’t whiten, must be the material. I have never turned them over,Just made sure the were completely in the water.
Julie says
I use a top loader!
Susan Hurst Hart says
I also use a low suds product to wash clothes. It only requires 1 quarter cup of it. How much would you use?
Nicole Burkholder says
This is a total guess on my part, but if it were me, I’d use at least the quarter cup that you do for a normal load of wash. One cup of laundry detergent is a lot more than you would typically do for a load of wash, but you need it for these nasty pillows. 🙂
Susan Hurst Hart says
My front loading runs one way and then flips and goes the other way. Do you think there is a need to turn them over? How would you do this with out water falling out when you open the door?
Nicole Burkholder says
Someone else commented about using this in a front loader. I think she ran them through the cycle twice to make sure they were covered. I don’t know how you could interrupt the cycle with a front loader (I’ve always wondered that, since I’m terrible about adding things to my washer while it’s still going.) 🙂
Kate says
Front loaders can be opened during a cycle. I have used them for 49 years, before they became “BIG” The water level is actually below the door opening. Just let it set a minute before you open the door.
Cheryl says
Will this work in a front loader machine? I’m going to try it with my white sheets also. My dogs get on them with their dirty feet and I can’t get the dirt stains out. What do you think?
Nicole Burkholder says
I honestly couldn’t tell you for sure because I’ve never owned one, but I would think so. As long as the pillows are getting evenly soaked in the cleaning solution.
Cheryl says
Thank you! I’m going to try it. I can always buy new pillows if not. Love your site and am joining now!
Nicole Burkholder says
Please come back and let me know how it works! I’ve had that question before and would love to know for sure 🙂
Cheryl says
I recommend using half the amount of Magic Cleaning Solution in a front loading washer. I used the full amount and had to run it on a rinse and spin cycle to get all the soap out. And definitely flip the pillows over like you said above.
Nicole Burkholder says
Thank you! I appreciate you coming back to let me know! 🙂
Sandy says
They look fabulous! Are there any chemical reactions (bleach and whatever)? I’m paranoid when it comes to mixing bleach and pretty much anything. Thanks.
Nicole Burkholder says
I’ve had no troubles like that at all- you are only mixing with soaps and borax has been around forever. None of the cleaners have ammonia, so you’re good! 🙂
Christine says
Wow!!! New pillows on shopping list… They are coming off. This is a magic and much cheaper solution. C
Nicole Burkholder says
Happy to help! I was so surprised with how white mine turned out after one wash! They were so gross! 🙂
Library Mol, says
Any idea how to adapt this for a high efficiency washer? No agitator and water does not fill up as needed.
Nicole Burkholder says
Good question! I would just run the pillows through a cycle like normal. You could dissolve your cleaning solution in hot water first and then add it to the washer to be sure it was evenly distributed.
nancy carlson says
The best way I know to wash things in an HE machine with no agitator and not enough water is to get rid of the machine! I did that about 89 days in. Took me some doing, but Home Depot gave me my money back. It was the washing of pillows that did me in. That’s why I bought the machine – so it wouldn’t mess up pillows, but then it wouldn’t clean them, either!
MimiLou says
Nancy, was this a top loader or front loader that you were so unhappy with?
Diane says
I am TOTALLY trying this!!! Our pillows NEED help! 🙂 Thank you!
Marjie says
Will be trying and am posting it! THANKS!
Melanie says
Excellent tip! Thanks for the easy to follow photos
Wendy says
I’m so going to try this