The Easiest Way to Clean Your Pillows Uses Only Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide—Here’s How

If your sleep is less than blissful, it may be because you have a dirty pillow trapping allergens that affect your breathing. Some pillows can be machine-washed, while others must be washed by hand or spot-cleaned at least every few months.

Tucked away in your cabinets are two excellent cleaning agents—baking soda and hydrogen peroxide—that will help remove stains and clean your pillows. Here’s how.

How to Choose the Right Method for Your Pillows

If your pillows are filled with natural feathers or down, or synthetic polyester fiberfill, they can be hand or machine-washed. It is best to use a front-loading washer or a top-load washer without a center agitator so the pillows have more room to move in the washer for a thorough cleaning.

Latex and memory foam pillows should be hand-washed or just spot-cleaned. The agitating action of a washer can cause the foam to break into pieces.

Pillows with electric heating or cooling capabilities often contain wires or gel pads that can be destroyed by excess water and movement, and should be spot-cleaned only.

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How to Clean Pillows Using Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Before you get started, ensure your hydrogen peroxide is fresh by pouring some out and checking that it fizzes. If it doesn’t, it has expired and you’ll need to buy a new bottle.

Deep Cleaning in the Washer

1. Remove pillowcases and covers. Pretreat any visible stains with a paste of baking soda and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Dab the paste on the stains and work it in with a soft-bristled brush. Allow it to work for at least 15 minutes before washing.
2. Set the washer to cold or warm water and the gentle cycle. Add 1 cup of baking soda to the washer drum and fill the detergent dispenser with hydrogen peroxide.
3. If using a front load or top-load washer, add a couple of white bath towels to help keep the washer from becoming off-balance. If you have a washer with a center agitator, it’s important to wash at least two pillows at a time to balance the machine.
4. When the cycle is complete, remove the pillows from the washer and fluff the filling. To help the pillows dry more quickly and to break apart any clumps in the filling, add wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls. Dry on low or medium heat and stop the dryer every 15 minutes to fluff the pillows by hand.

Hand Washing

1. Pretreat visible stains with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Let it work for at least 15 minutes.
2. Fill the bathtub or a large plastic container with enough lukewarm water to submerge the pillow. Use 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide in the solution per pillow.
3. Completely submerge the pillow and allow it to soak for about 10 minutes. Knead the pillow gently for about 5 minutes to move the cleaning solution through the filling.
4. Drain the water and refill the tub with cool water. Submerge the pillows and knead for another 5 minutes to rinse well. Gently squeeze the pillow to remove the water, but do not wring it.
5. Use a thick, heavy bath towel to wrap the pillow and absorb as much water as possible. Down and polyester-filled pillows should be fluffed and can then be tossed in the dryer. Foam pillows should be placed flat on a ventilated surface away from direct heat and sunlight. Allow at least 24 hours for drying.

Spot Cleaning and Stain Removal

To spot clean non-washable pillows, use the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. Don’t make it too runny to avoid oversaturating components. Apply the paste to the stained area and let it dry. Use a soft-bristle brush to brush away the powdery residue. Repeat the process if stains remain.

4 Other Household Items You Can Clean Pillows With

If your hydrogen peroxide is expired, here are a few other things you can use to clean your pillows instead.

Laundry Detergent

You can use your regular laundry detergent to treat stains and wash pillows. The secret to success is to use only a small amount to avoid too many suds. Add an extra rinse cycle when machine-washing to be sure no residue remains in the pillow filling.

Powdered Oxygen Bleach

Powdered oxygen bleach works just like hydrogen peroxide to remove stains and whiten pillows. It can be mixed with water to create a stain removing paste or added to the drum of a washing machine or into a handwashing solution.

Steam Cleaner

A handheld clothes steamer works well to freshen pillows and kill dust mites. Pretreat stains as recommended. To freshen the pillow, hold the steamer at least 6 to 8 inches from the surface of the pillow and keep it moving to prevent overheating the fabric or foam. Allow the pillow to air dry for at least eight hours.

Dish Soap

Pillow stains can often be removed by cleaning them with a solution of 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Dip a soft-bristled brush in the solution and gently scrub the stained area. Wash the pillow as usual or blot the cleaned spot with a damp cloth to remove the soapy residue.