A comfortable and supportive pillow can make a big difference to the quality of your sleep, but why does your pillow turn yellow sooner or later? ), as you might guess, it mostly depends on what your pillow is exposed to at night.
Here are the top reasons why your pillow turns yellow and how to determine if your pillow is still good for your health. Most pillows should be replaced every few years. So if your pillow is older than it is and covered in unsightly yellow or brown patches, it’s time for a new pillow. See our best pillow guide for a selection of the best options currently available.
But before we go any further, let’s take a closer look at yellow stains on pillows and how to deal with them. For cleaning advice, read our expert article on how and how often to wash your pillow.
Why are my pillows yellow?
The most common reason (out of several options) for yellow stained pillows is sweat. You may not realize it, but most of us sweat to some degree during the night, and that sweat can wick up from our pillowcases and onto our pillows, accumulating over time and eventually causing yellow stains. there is.
Besides sweat, other forms of moisture, such as the natural oils on your skin, can also cause your pillow to turn yellow. Not to mention facial oils, serums, moisturizers and products on your hair, yellow stains on your pillow are inevitable. For even more terrifying details, learn what happens to your pillow if you don’t wash it regularly.
Since the mattress is the same, those over 7 years old When If it’s covered in dirt (and shows other signs of wear and tear), consider upgrading. Our best mattress guide will help you, and our roundup of the latest mattress sales will help you find the best price when buying.
In summary, the most common reasons why pillows turn yellow are:
- Sweat
- natural body oil
- drooling
- wet hair
- hair products
- cosmetic
- Oil-based serums and moisturizers
Is it okay to sleep on a pillow with a yellow stain?
If your pillow is more than two years old and has yellow or brown stains on it, it’s a good idea to buy a new pillow. This is especially true if you haven’t washed your pillow since you bought it or used a pillow protector.
Pillows can accumulate sweat, sebum, and anything other than dead skin cells. Dust mites and other allergens may be lurking. Moisture from sweat and sebum also breeds bacteria. And if your pillow is causing neck pain or is out of shape, it’s definitely time to replace it.
Dr. Karan Raj made headlines on TikTok when he explained why you should change your pillow at least every two years and what happens if you don’t. Here’s what he said…
@dr.karanr (opens in new tab)
♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre (opens in new tab)
how to stop pillows from turning yellow
There’s nothing you can do to keep yourself completely sweat-free in bed, but you can save your pillow from yellow stains. The most effective way is to cover your pillow with a pillow protector. These are an inexpensive way to add an extra barrier between sweat, sebum, moisture and pillows.
Pillow protectors are easy to care for as they can be washed weekly with the rest of your bed linen. We recommend having a few in rotation so you always have a standby.
Avoid sleeping with wet hair. Otherwise, the water will seep through and the pillow will turn yellow. Also, avoid heavy oil-based serums and creams to bed, and remove makeup before hitting the hay.
In summary:
- Use a good pillow protector
- dry hair before bed
- Try to avoid heavy oil based products
- remove makeup before going to bed
Can you remove yellowing from pillows?
While you can’t get rid of yellow stains completely (especially old stains that are deeply ingrained), there are a few things you can do to reduce it. Now, whenever we talk about cleaning your bedding, including how to clean your mattress, we recommend reading our care instructions first.
There should be a small cloth tag sticking out on the side of the pillow. There you’ll find guidance on how to wash and dry your pillows (don’t cover damp pillows with linen as this can cause mildew).
Before machine washing the pillow, treat the stains partially (if machine washable). Stain remover sprays and creams are strong but effective, but a unique paste of baking soda and water offers a natural approach.
Some cleaning experts recommend using a mixture of bleach and laundry detergent to remove stubborn yellow stains, but the material of pillows can withstand such harsh treatment. I’ll have to see if it’s tolerable.
Why Your Pillow Turns Yellow: The Bottom Line
In most cases, pillows turn yellow because perspiration and oils seep from the linen into the pillow itself, but cosmetics, hair products, water (from damp hair), and drool can also cause yellow stains on pillows. there is.
The best way to reduce stains is to cover your pillow with a waterproof, anti-allergen pillow protector. If you want to upgrade and fantasize about an adjustable pillow that can be customized to your sleeping style, read our review of the Layla Kapok pillow.
In that regard, consider investing in the best mattress protector to protect your mattress from stains, spills and allergens. You can also
Watch the video here: Why your pillow turns yellow and how to tell if your pillow is healthy
