While washing, we frequently come across bothersome sweat stains on pillow cases. So how to remove yellow sweat stains from pillowcases?
Stains can effectively remove with sweat, natural body oils, white vinegar, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide. Just pick one and combine it with water. Later, let the stain soak for around 30 minutes. Your pillowcase should appear brand new.
This is only a brief summary of the complete approach. There are more, unspoken things to consider. To find out how you can do it, keep reading. Why not right now?
How To Remove Yellow Sweat Stains From Pillowcases ( Two Easy Approach)
Yellow sweat stains on your pillowcases? Don’t worry! Dive into our guide as we unveil two powerful methods to tackle these stubborn marks: the soaking approach and the machine approach:
Soaking Approach
What you need is:
- White vinegar, 1 cup (distilled)
- 1/4 cup Borax ( (can substitute with baking soda)
- 4 teaspoons of liquid dishwashing soap
To Remove Yellow Stains from Pillowcases:
- Soaking Solution Components:
- Hot water: The primary medium for soaking.
- Vinegar: Helps remove stains, eliminate perspiration odors, and softens the fabric.
- Borax: Acts as a natural bleach and stain remover.
- Dishwashing detergent: Effectively tackles body and hair oils.
- Alternative Ingredient:
- Instead of Borax, baking soda can be used as it also functions as a natural bleach and stain remover.
The easy 5 step-by-step guide to follow:
- Prepare the Soaking Solution:
- Fill a bucket with hot water.
- Add vinegar, dishwashing soap, and Borax.
- Stir well, ensuring to use the suggested measurements.
- Soak the Pillowcases:
- Submerge the pillowcases into the mixture, stirring vigorously.
- Stir 1-2 times with an hour gap.
- Allow them to soak overnight (12 to 24 hours) for best results.
- Hand Wash and Pre-treat Persistent Stains:
- Remove and wring out excess liquid.
- Rub any remaining stains with powdered dishwashing soap.
- Rinse and Machine Wash (optional):
- Rinse the pillowcases with clean, cold water.
- Alternatively, after squeezing out any extra liquid, machine wash using the washing and rinse cycle.
- Dry the Pillowcases:
- Air dry in a cool place or use a gentle washing machine setting to avoid mildew.

Soaking Approach
Washing Machine Approach
Most pillows are machine washable, although some needs to be dry cleaned or spot cleaned because the fabrics of these pillows can be destroyed when it gets washed in a washing machine
What you’ll need is:
- A cup of vinegar
- 1/4 cup Borax
- Two teaspoons of liquid dishwashing detergent
- 1/4 cup of liquid or powder washing detergent
5-Step Guide to Remove Yellow Sweat Stains from Pillowcases:
- Prep the Washing Machine:
- Combine laundry detergent powder containing borax in the machine compartment.
- Set the machine’s temperature to its highest setting.
- Directly pour liquid washing soap into the water.
- Load and Start the Wash:
- Place the pillowcases in the machine.
- Start a regular wash cycle.
- Utilize Vinegar as a Softener:
- Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the softener dispenser.
- If your machine lacks a section for it, pour directly during the rinse cycle. Adjust the amount based on the number of linens.
- Adapt for Machine Type:
- For front-loaders, pour through the top dispenser.
- For top-loaders, ensure vinegar is added before the wash cycle if the door locks during washing.
- Dry and Refresh:
- Post-wash, either hang the pillowcases outside in the sun or use a dryer for fresh and clean pillowcases.

Washing machine approach
Yellow sweat stains can be stubborn, but there are effective ways to maintain the quality and cleanliness of your pillowcases. Apart from stain removal, you might also be interested in learning how to fluff pillows in the dryer without tennis balls for a fresh and comfortable sleep
How to Prevent Yellow Stains On The Pillowcases ( 5 useful tips)
It might be sad to see the filthy pillows. Before pondering how to wash your pillowcases, consider taking the appropriate safety measures to prevent stains. The following are some crucial pointers:
1. Tackle Stains Immediately
If you notice stains on the covers, soak them right away to prevent permanent stains. The sooner you deal with dry stains, the better because they are more difficult to remove. Nevertheless, wash your bedding with the items above at least weekly.
2. Go to bed with a fresh face to keep oils off the pillows
Determine the problem if you continue to see the stained bed sheets. Mostly, it’s the clothes you wear and the makeup you use. Using clean textiles to remove makeup can reduce the likelihood of your pillows becoming discolored.
3. Wash Your Pillows 2-4 Times A Year
While the pillow is the issue, you can suffer from dirty pillowcases. People wash their pillowcases but neglect to clean them, which become soiled over time. This implies that the pillowcases can start to get soiled. Therefore, think about washing the pillows 2-4 times a year to prevent perspiration accumulation that might draw germs and microorganisms.
4. Wear Comfortable Sleepwear
You sweat a lot when you’re overheating. Wearing breathable clothing helps to minimize sweating and prevents overheating.
5. Use fans or Air Conditioner
You sweat a lot in a heated room. Think about employing fans and air conditioning equipment to maintain a comfortable temperature and avoid sweating from turning your pillowcases yellow.

A girl sleeping well
What Causes Yellow Sweat Stains On Pillowcases
Are you bothered by the yellowing of your pillow and pillowcases? See a few of the causes below:
Oils from hair, salvia, sweat
The pillowcase will gradually turn yellow if it is exposed to dampness for an extended period. Water sources are:
Hair
If you keep your hair short or take a bath every night, you might not be able to dry your hair properly. As a result, your pillow may become damp, and your bedding may become discolored over time. When left uncared for, the pillowcase’s hair oil leads to discoloration and attracts dirt and dust, with how their hormones lead to greasy hair and skin, which stains their pillows and bed linens.
Saliva
Drooling while sleeping at night is uncontrollable. As a result, your pillow becomes yellow after getting spit on it.
Sweat
On average, a person loses one liter of water throughout an overnight period. Your pillowcases and other sleeping items, including sweat, eventually become yellow.
Oils from skin, lotions
Your pillow starts to become yellow due to skin oils. The impact may not be felt for some time, though. Even if you can’t eliminate it, you can control it to lessen its impact on your bedding. The lotions you use after taking a bath in the evening are the biggest cause of yellow bedding.
Active adults and those who exercise heavily or work outdoors also find their pillowcases turn yellow due to hair and body oils.
Moisturizers, overnight face treatments, and makeup residue can also lead to a grimy or slick, waxy feeling on your pillowcase. Therefore, manage how much cream you use after taking a bath in the evening, even if you may not be able to control your bathing habits. Even choosing to fall asleep naturally is an option.

Skin lotions and Oils
How to Clean Yellow Pillowcases Effectively (4 quick fixes)
Here are 4 quick fixes to remove yellow stains from pillow cases:
Quick Fix 1: Hot Water And Lemon Juice
You may naturally prevent stains by soaking your pillowcases inside a solution of lime juice and water heating. After letting it sit for several hours, wash it by hand or put it in the washer with a standard circle.
Quick Fix 2: Hot Water, Vinegar, And Bicarbonate
The approach works best for eliminating sweat stains that eventually become yellow. Soak your pillowcase in a solution of boiling water, 89 g of baking soda, plus 125 ml of vinegar for several hours. Put your pillowcases in the washer after squeezing out extra water.
Quick Fix 3: Tea Tree Oil And Bicarbonate
Combining 100 grams of bicarbonate and one tablespoon of Melaleuca essential oils. Then sprinkle the mixture on your pillowcases. Rub off the mixture after around 45 minutes, then wash your linens in the machine.
Quick Fix 4: Hot Water, Lemon, And Hydrogen Peroxide
Pillowcases may be lightened using hydrogen peroxide. Lemon juice and hot water are combined with 250 ml of 10-vol H2O2. Add your pillowcase to the mixture, let them soak for a few hours, wring out the extra liquid, and then wash your bedding in the machine.
If you’ve ever wondered how hotels manage to keep their sheets impeccably white and clean, you’re not alone. Discover the professional methods and secrets behind how hotels keep their sheets white for a bed that feels like a luxury hotel experience.
Wrapping it up on how to remove yellow sweat from pillowcases
We are confident that after learning how to remove yellow sweat from pillowcases you will be able to clean your cushions. Use of bleach can have hazardous, unsafe reactions with other cleaning products.
To reduce the chances of staining, wash your pillowcases and other linens at least once every week. Wash your pillows about every six months. Avoid using too much lotion after taking an evening bath. Dress comfortably before going to bed and turn down the temperature in your bedroom.
If the pillows do not wash well, you may need to buy new ones.