Washing a pillowcase

Of all bedding items, pillowcases are the most likely to get dirty and require washing, as they touch our faces every night. Hand-cleaning pillowcases is very energy-consuming, so housewives often wonder how to properly machine-wash them.

Washing a yellowish pillowcase

To remove yellowing, mix 3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and 1.5 times more detergent than usual in the main compartment of the dispenser. At the same time, dissolve a quarter of a glass of sodium borate (borax) in water and then add water. Pour the mixture into the drum.

Important! For a conditioning effect, pour a small amount of vinegar into the rinse aid compartment.

Adjust the washing parameters: select the hottest cycle, keeping in mind that the soaking time should be at least half an hour. Typically, these cycles are washed for a couple of hours.

Pillowcase with serious stains

There are many different ways to remove more stubborn stains. We'll provide just a few examples.

1. Regular laundry soap works great for removing both fresh and old stains. Dampen the affected area with water or lightly dampen the entire pillowcase and vigorously rub the soap into the affected area. Leave the item for a couple of days, then machine wash. If the stain is fresh, simply soak the item in the soapy water for a couple of hours and then boil it. Pillowcase fabrics (calico or cotton) withstand high temperatures well.
2. If your pillowcases have turned yellow or grey over time and you want to restore their original fresh white look, use Bleach. Mix the product with water in the proportions indicated on the bottle and soak your pillowcase in the resulting solution for the indicated time.
3. Domestos performs the same bleaching function, but is more gentle. It can even be added to the washing machine after the drum has filled with water.
4. Fairy will help remove grease stains. Dampen a cloth, apply a small amount of the product, and rub the affected areas vigorously until lather forms. Leave the pillowcase for a few hours, then machine wash it as usual without rinsing.
5. To restore freshness and make your pillowcases softer and more pleasant to the touch, use starch. Add 2 tablespoons to 5 liters of water and soak the pillowcase for a while.
6. Another way to restore whiteness is boric acid. Add 2 tablespoons to 3 liters of water and let the pillowcase sit for 3-10 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.
7. A solution of a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a couple of pinches of baking soda, and 3 liters of water will effectively clean a pillowcase if you leave it there for a couple of hours.

The listed methods remove residual sweat, dust, and dirt that appear during the natural use of the item.

Please note: Silk pillowcases and satin linens should only be washed on a delicate cycle.

Removal of special stains

But sometimes, edible stains can remain on a pillowcase, in which case the washing approach and detergents will need to be slightly different. Let's look at some practical examples.

• To remove tea or coffee stains, mix glycerin, ammonia and water and wipe the problem area.
• If you spill red wine, you can wash it out with a strong stream of hot water, but white wine or champagne can also be washed out with water, but with the addition of a teaspoon of baking soda.
• Fruit juice can be washed off well with hydrogen peroxide.
• Traces of decorative cosmetics can be removed using acetone or gasoline. Lipstick can be removed with pharmacy powder.
• To remove traces of chocolate, dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water.

Regardless of what type of stain you encounter, if possible, you should remove it immediately, while it is still fresh and has not yet had time to become embedded in the fabric fibers.

   

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