Pillows can quickly become discoloured and stained, but a lifestyle blogger says adding one item to your washing machine could help restore them15:08, 31 Aug 2026Updated 15:12, 31 Aug 2026If you've noticed yellow or brown marks appearing on your pillow, you might be wondering what's causing them. And while it may look unpleasant, there are several everyday reasons why pillows can become discoloured over time.‌The most common cause is sweat. During the night, perspiration and natural oils from your skin can work their way through your pillowcase and into the pillow. Over time, this can leave behind yellow or brown patches.‌But sweat isn't the only culprit. Other common causes of pillow stains include saliva, skincare and hair products as well as make-up, moisture and food and drink spills.‌Carrie Higgins, author of 'Organization Hacks' and founder of the lifestyle blog Making Lemonade said: "I won't go into too much detail, but needless to say pillows are hotbeds of junk collected in the six to eight hours you spend on them every. Single. Night."Multiply that by how many nights you've slept on them and... yeah. Body oils, hair product residue, sweat, drool, dust mites, exfoliated skin... clean 'dat pillow!"Contrary to expectations, bringing grubby pillows back to life doesn't demand loads of time or cash.‌Carrie highlighted that the most powerful stain remover is simple white vinegar. Its high acidity makes it an incredibly effective natural cleaner, able to break down organic stains such as sweat and oils that build up on pillows.You can pick a bottle of white vinegar for 57p from Asda.‌Beyond tackling stains, vinegar works as an antibacterial agent and deodoriser, eliminating bacteria and nasty odours from fabric. Carrie stated: "As dirty and drool-ly as my pillows were, I didn't need to run ANY of them through a second time, the vinegar... worked like magic!"How to get your pillows clean againCheck the care label first to ensure the pillow can be machine-washed - memory foam pillows aren't suitable for washing.Pop them in the washing machine - no more than two per cycle. Pour 250ml of white vinegar into the fabric conditioner drawer of your washing machine, then add your detergent as usual.‌Choose the hottest water temperature recommended on the pillow care label and run it on a delicate cycle.Once that cycle has finished, put the machine on a spin cycle to remove as much moisture as possible.You can pop pillows into a tumble dryer on a low-heat setting. Wool dryer balls can help to fluff the pillows back up again.Article continues belowAlternatively, you can air-dry them outside if it's sunny, as natural sunlight can help to whiten fabric and break down stains.Make sure the pillows are completely dry before using them to prevent mould and musty odours.