A comfortable and supportive pillow can make the world of difference to the quality of your sleep, but why do pillows turn yellow sooner or later? It’s a sight we’re all used to (and perhaps something we pretend not to have noticed), and as you might expect, it’s mostly down to what your pillow’s exposed to in the night.
We’re here to explain the main reasons why your pillows might turn yellow, and also how to tell whether yours is still a healthy thing to be sleeping on. Most pillow should be replaced every couple of years, so of yours is older than that as well as being covered in unsightly yellow or brown patches, it’s time for a fresh one; see our best pillows guide for a selection of the top options available now.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s find out more about those yellow stains on your pillows, and what you can do about them. For advice on cleaning, read our expert feature on how to wash a pillow and how often.
Why do pillows turn yellow?
The most common reason (from a few options) for a yellow-stained pillow is sweat. You might not even be aware of it, but most of us sweat to some extent during the night, and that sweat can wick through your pillowcase onto your pillow and build up over time, eventually causing yellow staining.
Aside from sweat, other forms of moisture can also make your pillows turn yellow, including natural oils from your skin. Throw in facial oils, serums and moisturisers, not to mention products you have on your hair, and yellow stains on your pillows are inevitable. For more horrible details, learn what happens to your pillows when they aren’t washed regularly.
It’s the same with mattresses, so if yours is over seven years old and covered in stains (and shows other signs of wear and tear), consider upgrading. Our best mattress guide can help, and our roundup of the latest mattress sales can find you the best price when you buy.
To recap, the most common reasons why pillows turn yellow are:
- Sweat
- Natural body oils
- Drool
- Wet hair
- Hair products
- Cosmetics
- Oil-based serums and moisturisers
Are pillows with yellow stains ok to sleep on?
If your pillow is over two years old and covered in yellow and brown stains, we’d recommend buying a new one. This is especially true if you haven’t washed your pillow since buying it and don’t use a pillow protector.
Chances are, the pillow has a build-up of other things besides sweat, oils and dead skin: dust mites might be lurking, as well as other allergens. Moisture from sweat and oil can also breed bacteria. And if your pillow is causing you neck pain or has lost its shape, then it’s definitely time to replace it.
Dr Karan Raj went viral on TikTok for explaining why you need to replace your pillow at least every two years and what happens when you don’t. Here’s what he said…
@dr.karanr (opens in new tab)
♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre (opens in new tab)
How to stop your pillows turning yellow
There’s nothing you can do to stop yourself from sweating completely in bed, but you can better protect your pillows from yellow stains. The most effective way is to cover your pillow with a pillow protector. These are an inexpensive way to add an extra barrier between sweat, oils, moisture and your pillow.
Pillow protectors can be washed weekly along with the rest of your bed linens, making them low maintenance. We’d recommend having a few in rotation so that you always have one on standby.
Try not to sleep on wet hair as otherwise all that water will seep through and turn your pillow yellow over time. Also, avoid wearing heavy oil-based serums and creams to bed, and remove your make-up before hitting the hay.
So to recap:
- Use a good quality pillow protector
- Dry your hair before going to bed
- Try to avoid heavy oil-based products
- Remove your make-up before sleep
Can you remove yellow stains from a pillow?
You can’t remove yellow stains completely (especially older stains that have really bedded in), but there are ways to reduce them. Now, whenever we talk about cleaning bedding, including how to clean a mattress, we always recommend reading the care instructions first.
Your pillow should have a small fabric tag sticking out the side – that’s where you’ll find guidance on how to wash your pillows and how to dry them (never cover damp pillows with linens as otherwise they could develop mildew).
Spot-treat stains before machine washing your pillow (if it can be machine washed). Stain removal sprays and creams are potent but effective, while mixing your own paste of baking soda and water offers a natural approach.
Some cleaning experts recommend using a mix of bleach and washing detergent to remove stubborn yellow stains, but you need to be very sure that the materials used to make your pillow can withstand such a tough treatment.
Why do pillows turn yellow: The bottom line
For the most part, pillows turn yellow because of sweat and oils seeping through your linens to the pillow itself, but cosmetics, hair products, water (from damp hair) and drool can also cause yellow stains on pillows.
The best way to reduce staining is to cover your pillows with a waterproof, anti-allergen pillow protector. These safeguard against moisture and dust mites, and help your pillow to reach its full lifespan, saving you money in the long-run. If you are looking to upgrade and fancy an adjustable pillow that can be customized to your sleep style, read our Layla Kapok Pillow review.
On that note, consider investing in the best mattress protector to safeguard your mattress from stains, spills and allergens. Depending on how deep they are, you could even place one over your mattress topper to keep that safe too.
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