Here’s a great DIY pillow-cleaning recipe and method to restore your dirty bed pillows—making them white, fresh, and smelling sweet again. This works for most machine-washable pillows like polyester, feather, or down (always check the tag first!).
🧼 Deep Cleaning Recipe for White, Sweet-Smelling Pillows
You’ll Need:
1 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%) – whitens and removes stains
½ cup baking soda – deodorizes and lifts dirt
1 cup white vinegar – softens and eliminates odors
1 tablespoon liquid dish soap or laundry detergent – for deep clean
Optional: 5–10 drops essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon) – for a sweet scent
🌀 Cleaning Instructions:
1. Pre-Treat (Optional but Recommended):
If your pillows are yellowed or heavily stained, spray them with a mix of:
½ cup hydrogen peroxide
2 tablespoons baking soda
Let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Machine Wash:
Remove covers and place 2 pillows (to balance the load) in the washing machine.
Select hot water + bulky/white cycle with an extra rinse if available.
Add the cleaning mix directly to the drum or detergent tray:
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
½ cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar (in fabric softener tray)
1 tbsp dish soap/laundry detergent
Essential oils (optional)
3. Rinse & Spin Again (if needed):
To remove any residue, run an extra rinse cycle after washing.
☀️ Drying:
Dry on low heat or air fluff setting in the dryer.
Add 2–3 clean tennis balls or dryer balls in socks to keep pillows fluffy.
If possible, air-dry in the sun for added whitening and freshness.
✅ Tips:
Wash pillows every 3–6 months.
For memory foam pillows (not machine washable), spot-clean with a vinegar + water mix and let air-dry.
Always check care tags before cleaning.