This is the forgotten pantry ingredient hack my grandma swears by for yellowed pillowcases

As someone with oily skin and hair, yellowed pillowcases are a comment nuisance. Luckily, I have been armed with a simple, non-toxic solution – lemon juice from my grandmother.

Here’s how I use her simple, non-toxic lemon juice hack to remove discoloration from bedding without the need for harsh chemicals or hours of scrubbing.

Using lemon juice to lighten bedding yellowing

Stopping pillowcases from turning yellow is a constant battle, which is why having an effective stain removal tactic is essential.

Cleaning with lemon juice might sound like a far-fetched laundry hack; however, it is one of the best things for stains created by natural oils, such as those on our skin and hair, especially if, like me, you are on a mission to create a non-toxic home.

This works particularly well for getting dingy whites white again, or lightning stains on your lighter-colored best bedding sets.

The solution is simple. All you need is good-quality lemon juice, available at Walmart, and a bright, sunny day.

It only takes three steps, too.

1. I start by soaking the affected area of bedding with lemon juice. For larger areas, such as fitted sheets, I often mix half a cup of lemon juice with one gallon of water and soak the sheet in a plastic container from Wayfair for speed. For smaller areas, such as spot treating a pillow case, I use pure lemon juice and apply it only to the affected area.
2. While the bedding is wet, I lay it outside in bright sunshine. Lying the bedding flat is the best option, using a folding clothes airer from Walmart; however, hanging the bedding from a clothesline (also available from Walmart) could also work if you have less space. Make sure to move the bedding to stay in the sun throughout the day.
3. Finally, do laundry as normal. For an extra non-toxic, stain-fighting boost, you can add white vinegar to laundry, if you like, or stick with your regular detergent. I swear by the Ecover Zero detergent, available at Amazon, as it is completely free from potentially harmful chemicals.

Using lemon juice in laundry is so effective because of the citric acid, Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO at AspenClean, explains. ‘Citric acid gently breaks down the compounds that cause yellowing, such as body oils, sweat, and residue from skin or hair products.

'When the acid is combined with sun exposure, the effect is even stronger. The UV rays act like a natural bleach, activating the citric acid and helping lift discoloration from the fabric’s fibers.’

She notes, however, that this stain removal hack works best when used regularly to prevent stains from deepening.

For old discoloration, you may be better off using glycerin to remove stains, or, as Alicia suggests, ‘a stronger, complementary cleaner on top of this natural lemon juice method.'

The AspenClean Oxygen bleach, available at Amazon, is a good option for this, as it is non-toxic, less harmful than traditional chlorine bleach, and is kinder to fabrics.

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FAQs

Can I put lemon juice in a washing machine?

To help fight stains and odors naturally, you can put lemon juice in a washing machine. Simply add one cup of pure lemon juice to the drum before adding your white and light colored clothing and linens and running a warm water cycle.

Meet the expert

Alicia Sokolowski

With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean provides all-natural, chemical-free cleaning services that have revolutionized the cleaning industry and changed the way people clean their homes.

Did you know you can use lemon juice to clean a mattress, too? Why not give it a go while your bedding is lying out in the sunshine?