How to Remove Mildew Stains From Pillowcases

Things You'll Need

Bowl
Lemon juice
Table salt
Towels
Scrub brush
Laundry detergent
1 cup white vinegar

Mildew-free pillowcases provide a sanitary place to rest your head.

Mildew forms on fabric, such as your pillowcases, when it is damp and warm. Once mildew begins to grow it will continue to spread in the right conditions. In addition to leaving unsightly stains, mildew also causes your pillowcases to smell musty. To use your pillowcases, you must remove the mildew completely. Natural supplies effectively kill mildew and remove its stains, and proper storage prevents the fungus from returning.

Step 1

Lemons are a natural mildew killer.

Combine equal parts table salt and lemon juice in a bowl. Lay your mildew-stained pillowcase on a clean towel, outside in the sun. Use a scrub brush to apply the lemon and salt mixture to the mildew stains before allowing the mixture to dry on the fabric.

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Step 2

Brush the lemon and salt mixture off your pillowcase with the scrub brush.

Step 3

Wash your pillowcase in the hottest water possible for the type of fabric. Use laundry detergent and add 1 cup white vinegar to the wash cycle to kill any remaining mildew and deodorize the pillowcase.

Step 4

Hang your pillowcase outside to dry. Sunlight kills mildew, while its warmth dries the fabric and fresh air deodorizes any remaining musty smell.

Tip

If any mildew stains remain on the pillowcase after laundering, apply more lemon and salt mixture and lay the fabric in the sun. The combination of lemon, salt and sunshine kills mildew and helps to bleach out the stains.

Soak white pillowcases in a solution made from 1 gallon water and 1/2 cup bleach to kill mildew and remove accompanying stains.

Dry your pillowcases thoroughly before storing them away to prevent mildew growth.

Use a dehumidifier in rooms that tend to be humid. Removing excess moisture from the air helps to prevent mildew from forming on surfaces.

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