Cleaning expert swears by tasty fruit to lift tough yellow stains from pillows

24 October 2023 , 08:47

975     0

Yellow stains can be a pain to clean (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We've all had to deal with yellowing pillowcases at some point in our lives. The discolouration happens as a natural result of us sweating while we sleep, so it's not really something you can avoid, so although it definitely doesn't look great and it's important to clean your pillowcases regularly, you shouldn't worry if yours starts to turn yellow.

Cleaning the discoloured cases can be tricky, however. The yellowing is actually a stain, so simply washing your bedsheets as normal isn't always enough to remove the discoloured patches. Thankfully though, you don't need to splash out on expensive stain removers, as one cleaning expert has claimed there's a fruit you can use to get your sheets sparkling again - limes.

Rebecca Swain, a mattress expert from Winston's Beds, insisted that cleaning your pillowcases is vital as leaving the stains to fester can lead to "bacteria growth and even cases of mould". But cleaning stains doesn't have to be expensive, as there are a range of natural cleaning products you can use instead.

The expert's top tip is to use lime juice to clean your pillowcases. She recommended squeezing two limes onto the stained areas before giving the cases a deep wash. She added: "The acidic elements will help to bleach the stained yellow colouring - all you have to do is scrub it gently onto items such as mattresses. Leave it to rest for 30 minutes, and then wipe it down."

Alternatively, you can use white vinegar, which is a favourite product among those who swear by natural cleaning products. To use white vinegar, Rebecca suggests adding three cups to your washing machine along with your bedsheets for a "fresh and stain-free finish".

Cleaning guru shares why you shouldn't make your bed first thing in the morning

You can buy limes from most supermarkets, and a four-pack from Asda will set you back 90p, or 22.5p each. Tesco, meanwhile, sells individual limes for 23p each, or you can bag a pack of five for £1.09 - working out at 22p each. White vinegar is available at Tesco for as little as 29p, while Asda only stocks the pricier Sarsons branded white vinegar, which costs £1.25.

Meanwhile, Rebecca also recommends soaking your bedsheets and pillowcases overnight for the best results, as this can "allow the cleaning products to have maximum effect" when it comes to removing tough stains. She also urged everyone to make sure they're washing their pillowcases every one to two weeks and said even the pillow itself needs regular washing every three weeks.

Zahna Eklund