Home Hacks
My Mom’s Trick for Fluffier, Cleaner Pillows
Get ready to question everything (you thought) you knew about making the bed.
Photo by Bobbi Lin
It's here: Our game-changing guide to everyone's favorite room in the house. Your Do-Anything Kitchen gathers the smartest ideas and savviest tricks—from our community, test kitchen, and cooks we love—to help transform your space into its best self.
Grab your copyPopular on Food52
64 Comments
Lori
September 7, 2022
There are pillow “covers” made of cotton, suitable for pillow “underwear,” that are not crinkly. But do have zippers.
I have another problem. My spouse, whom I lovingly call lizard head, seems to drool or emit enough sweat to make our white pillow cases yellowish. No oxy, peroxide or bleach can bring the them back. Have had to weave a dark gray pillow layer into our mostly white pillow lineup.
Pillow Hygiene Enthusiast
I have another problem. My spouse, whom I lovingly call lizard head, seems to drool or emit enough sweat to make our white pillow cases yellowish. No oxy, peroxide or bleach can bring the them back. Have had to weave a dark gray pillow layer into our mostly white pillow lineup.
Pillow Hygiene Enthusiast
FrugalCat
September 6, 2023
Make a paste with baking soda, peroxide and blue Dawn dish soap. Apply to your pillow cases and rub in with a brush. Let sit for an hour, then wash. This also gets yellow armpit stains out of undershirts.
Earlene
August 24, 2021
In my experience, you need more than a pillowcase as the pillow protector. The Swedish big box store (you know who) had PADDED pillow protectors. They’re breathable cotton, don’t flatten the pillow, are silent, and yet thick enough that the pillow is truly protected. Europeans are so out in front of us when it comes to good bed hygiene.
Charleen
August 24, 2021
I know this is off the subject a bit but I always buy king size comforters for my queen size bed. I put it on side-wise and it then can cover the pillows. Not everyone can afford matching sheets and comforters. I do, however, be careful of the pattern, if any, to make sure it will look good in the "wrong" direction.
I use zip pillow protectors under my pillowcases. Give those crinkly ones to your cat.
I use zip pillow protectors under my pillowcases. Give those crinkly ones to your cat.
Pam B.
August 23, 2021
When I change the sheets on a sunny day, I put my pillows outside to bask in the sun for several hours, turning them over mid-day. There's no better way to sanitize, and they smell great.
GigiR
August 23, 2021
Have you ever tried the following for dust removal on pillows and duvets, heavy coats, etc? Take your item and put it in a large plastic trash bag or whatever you call them. Then, insert the vacuum cleaner nozzle into the opening. Clutch the bag ends tightly around the nozzle and turn on the vac. The bag with item will be sucked flat. After a couple of minutes, turn off the vac. See if that improves the dust status or aroma of the item. I know there are those that will say it’ll wreck the item, like a down pillow. Just use your judgement.
nita
August 23, 2021
Great example of using the first two R's (reduce, reuse...)
1. Reduce buying more "stuff". Especially "stuff" that may not be easily recyclable (e.g. zippers)
2. Reuse those extra pillowcases. I tend to buy "sets" and my pillowcases always outlast the sheets.
1. Reduce buying more "stuff". Especially "stuff" that may not be easily recyclable (e.g. zippers)
2. Reuse those extra pillowcases. I tend to buy "sets" and my pillowcases always outlast the sheets.
Maureen
July 27, 2021
I don't understand why your pillow protectors make your pillow crunchy. What are they made of? I buy 100% cotton protectors which work just fine. No crunch! Kudos though to you and your mom for recycling your old pillow cases, but the protectors come with a zipper, very convenient if you don't sew.
Arati M.
August 23, 2021
I'm sure there are some lovely, comfy ones that have escaped me, Maureen! Until then, old cases it is! Thank you for reading!
D'Lynn H.
August 23, 2021
I know exactly what you mean about them being noisy. I bought the allergen protectors and they are very noisy. I replaced them with more allergen protectors that turned out to be noisier. So, I am going to look for the all-cotton protectors other readers have mentioned.
Paula C.
October 21, 2020
I think pillow protectors are great but I know there are many varieties available but the ones I’ve used have never made my pillows crinkly so maybe it’s the fabric type of the protector that makes a difference? I generally use ones that are allergy protectors and very smooth and “silky”. However I can see where an old case would work also.
Ranjini P.
May 20, 2020
What a wonderful idea!My mom,grandmom and now myself ,will definitely use this!I now use a thin cotton South Indian towel onto of my pillows to reduce wear and tear!
jld529
May 19, 2020
i, too, use an "undercover" on my pillows, but my mom called them ticking. We always had down pillows and once a month she would prop them up on the window sill for an airing. I still do this and can attest to the freshness of the pillow afterwards. Try it.
elly
May 19, 2020
Same here! Pillow protectors with zip, made from quilted or tightly woven fabric. And a breathable moisture proof mattress protector underneath a quilted fitted protector.
Paula V.
May 19, 2020
I have always used pillow protectors. Plain white cotton ones with a zipper. I wash them with my laundry detergent ( I’m partial to Tide) a couple of scoops of baking soda and for the softener I highly recommend plain old white vinegar! I use this formula for all my laundry and my towels and sheets and pillows come out smelling fresh! No not like a salad! Hang your clothes out or put your pillow protectors in the dryer. But protect your pillows!
Claudia I.
May 19, 2020
Mind. Blown. I also eschewed the annoying and unnecessary top sh*t several years ago. It changed my life. And now you're going to change it again! This is brilliant, and as soon as I send this off, into the breach I shall go making my pillows like new -- fresh and rejuvenated and protected!! Thank you so much, Arati.
Liliane
May 10, 2020
Im a two pillow case girl. Old one under, new matching case on top!!!
What do you know!!! Your mom and I are on the same page. Cheers to your mom !!
Happy mothers day to you moms out there 💐
What do you know!!! Your mom and I are on the same page. Cheers to your mom !!
Happy mothers day to you moms out there 💐
Mary-Denise S.
May 10, 2020
My mom was born in 1920 (her mother in 1895). I was born in 1949. If you were born in 2005, you could be my granddaughter. My current top pillowcase is linen, with someone else's monogram on it. I love it, and look forward to warm weather when I can change out flannel sheets for linen!
Arati M.
May 19, 2020
She will be thrilled to hear. She thinks it's pretty amusing that I now follow the same tips I used to laugh at!
Alice
May 6, 2020
Just read your article. My mother always used 2 pillow cases. Then later in life went to all cotton pillow protectors. I’m now 72 and have been using all cotton pillow protectors for years. They definitely save your pillows, especially if you have all down.
Terry
May 5, 2020
There are soft cotton, non-crinkly sounding, pillow protectors out there.
Arati M.
May 6, 2020
Wow, I must’ve met all the wrong protectors ;) However I will say, I love the idea of reusing old, worm pillowcases as the covers.
Danielle
May 11, 2020
Yes, except your worn out pillowcases won’t protect your pillow like a fresh pillow protector will. And you can buy cotton pillow protectors. Almost anywhere that sells linens.
Mary-Denise S.
May 5, 2020
My grandmother taught me to use two pillowcases, and also to "air" the bed for an hour or so after rising. The morning sun shines on the unmade sheets and they stay nicer between washings.
Arati M.
May 6, 2020
Nothing like the curative powers of sunshine! My mother and grandmother do/did the same. I just moved to an apartment with no direct sunshine and I have to say, I really miss it cleansing the room!
Join The Conversation