Mold and mildew can eat away at your pillows and ruin them. Whether your pillows are washable or not, removing mold or mildew promptly and thoroughly is the key to keeping them clean, sanitary and usable. Mold and mildew spores can transfer to other surfaces easily, so it's important to treat mold and mildew as soon as it appears on your pillows to prevent it from spreading to other surfaces.
Removing Mold and Mildew From Washable Pillows
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Step 1
Spray the pillows with a pre-wash stain removing spray, saturating the areas that have mold and mildew stains. Allow the pillows to sit with the pre-wash spray on them for 15 minutes.
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Step 2
Fill your washing machine with the hottest water possible for the fabric on your pillows. Add 1 cup white vinegar. Place the pillows into the vinegar water and allow them to soak for two hours.
Step 3
Drain the washing machine, leaving the pillows in. Refill the machine, again using the hottest water possible, and add laundry detergent. Wash and rinse your pillows on a full cycle.
Step 4
Lay your washable pillows in the sunlight outside or by a window with direct sunlight. Allow your pillows to dry completely in the sunlight so the sun can kill any remaining mold or mildew.
Removing Mold and Mildew From Non-Washable Pillows
Step 1
Mix one part table salt and two parts lemon juice in a bowl.
Step 2
Rub the lemon juice and salt combination onto the pillows, using a sponge. Cover the mold and mildew stains with the mixture. Lay the pillows in the sun and allow them to remain there for a few hours.
Step 3
Fill a bucket with cool water. Dip a clean sponge into the bucket and gently wipe the lemon juice and salt mixture off your pillows. Rinse the sponge frequently, then continue to wipe away your mold and mildew-killing solution.
Step 4
Move the pillows to the sunny location to dry completely. The sunlight will kill any tiny mold or mildew spores remaining in the fibers.