![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811208/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
For my first run through I added 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide – this is a bleach alternative.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811210/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
1/2 cup of vinegar – this is a natural cleaner, breaks down stains, and fabric softener.
Editor’s Note: This post mentions using hydrogen peroxide with vinegar. This practice is fine to do, as long as you are not mixing them together in the same container (such as a bottle), rather using them in succession. Mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar creates peracetic acid, a corrosive acid that can harm the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811213/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
And 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Lemon juice is also acidic so same qualities as vinegar, & added a nice lemon smell.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811215/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Let soak for 30 minutes, then flip the pillows to make sure you get both sides and soaked for 30 more minutes.
I realized that my washing machine is a fairly large one and I was not satisfied after the 30 minutes how things were going so I added another cup of hydrogen peroxide. Everyone’s laundry tubs are a different size so take that into consideration. (So in the end I used 2 cups hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup lemon juice.)
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811221/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Add your laundry detergent of your choice and run your normal wash cycle.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811224/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Pull your pillows out and inspect them. If they are clean enough which mine were – put them in the dryer. If not you may need to start over and soak again or try an alternative method below.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811226/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
I set my dryer to low, and it took about 30 minutes to dry my pillows.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811229/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Here is how they came out – and I was extremely pleased with the results.
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811230/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
What else did I try? (and why – this one is color safe)
Here is the next set of pillows and again they had been washed and dried before. I placed the pillows in the wash and added a mixture of 1 cup laundry detergent, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup Borax, and 1 cup Castile soap. Soaked 30 minutes, flipped the pillows and soaked another 30 minutes, ran the wash cycle and here is how they came out…
![cleaning yellowing pillows and more](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/05/05/4811233/cleaning-yellowing-pillows-and-more.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
Definitely made a difference but one pillow was still more yellow than I liked.
In the end, these are great alternatives to bleach if you want to stay away from chemicals. It works on pillows, pillow covers, and mattress pads.
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