Pillows are soft and fluffy by their very nature, but these same qualities make them highly vulnerable to mold. If pillows absorb a lot of moisture from water damage or even humidity, mold spores can settle on the pillow surface and begin growing within the moisture while feeding on the nearby cotton, dirt or hair. Never sleep on a moldy pillow, and take care of the problem immediately if you begin to notice signs of pillow mold.
Instructions
1. Remove the pillowcase and the pillow protector from the pillow. Examine each of these articles carefully since mold has likely penetrated them, as well. Clean all these articles in the same manner, but clean them separately from one another.
2. Dry the pillow in direct sunlight. Pillows are extremely porous and require a lot of heat to dry properly. Do not place the pillow in your dryer, as the mold spores will spread and possibly contaminate other fabrics later. If no sunlight is available, use a hair dryer or another portable heating device to dry your pillow.
3. Vacuum the pillow with a soft hose extension attached to your vacuum cleaner, or vacuum using a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Vacuum every area of the dry pillow, pillowcase and pillow protector to remove as many of the spores as you possibly can.
4. Place the pillow in a washing machine. In addition to your regular detergent, add 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar directly to the wash, and use the gentle cycle. If your pillow is not machine-safe, spot-treat the mold by sponging it with 1/2 cup of sodium borate activated with 2 cups of hot water. Rinse the pillow.
5. Dry the pillow again. To remove the excess moisture, squeeze a terry cloth towel firmly against the pillow. Then, remove the remaining dampness in the sunlight, or use a heat source.
Related posts
Houseplants provide an ideal breeding ground for mold. The soft soil absorbs and maintains moisture, which mold requires to breed. The dust in your home contains microscopic mold spores, and when...
How to Clean a Microbead PillowA microbead pillow is made from tiny microbeads inside the outer pillow covering. Due to the number of separate microbeads contained in a microbead pillow, these pil...
Moisture and dust can cause mold and mildew growth on windows and blinds.Mold and mildew grow on nearly anything, including mini blinds and windows, as long as conditions for the growth are favora...
Decorative plastic gems can quickly dress up any pillow project.Handmade pillows are an easy way to allow your child to decorate and personalize her own space. With felt or fleece and a few simple...
Black mold is a serious problem that requires professional treatment. Black mold is a generic name for Stachybotrys chartarum, a strain of mold that emits dangerous mycotoxins into the air. These...
