Removing Stains and Marks
Take off the pillowcase. Before cleaning your pillow, remove the pillowcase and launder it according to the instructions on the care tag. Most pillowcases can be machine-washed. This way, you'll have a clean case to put on the pillow after washing it. If you have silk pillowcases, hand washing or dry washing is preferable. Read the label before washing them.
Mix soap and water until bubbles form on top of the water. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1–2 cups (240–470 mL) of water and a few drops of dish soap. Continue mixing until there is about about 1 in (2.5 cm) of bubbles on top of the water. If you have trouble getting the bubbles to form, add a few more drops of dish soap to the water and continue to agitate it.
Add vinegar to the mixture if your pillow has an unpleasant odor. If the pillow or stain has a strong scent, add 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) of vinegar to the soapy water and stir it vigorously. The vinegar will remove even very strong scents from stains, like wine or oil. If possible, use white vinegar. Other types of vinegar might leave behind a film on top of the pillow.
Use a damp cloth to rub the bubbles on the stain. Gather bubbles on a damp cloth or sponge, and rub the pillow lightly until the stain disappears. You may need to reapply the soap a few times before the stain budges. If the stain is disappearing, but there's a shadow left behind on the gel, try applying a drop of dish soap directly onto the pillow and rubbing it into the surface.
Use a cotton swab soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove stubborn stains. If you have a more difficult stain, like blood or oil, dip the end of a cotton swab into 3% hydrogen peroxide, which you can get at the grocery store. Then, rub the cotton swab back and forth over the stain until it disappears. After the stain is removed, wipe the pillow with a damp cloth to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide.
Let the pillow dry completely before replacing the cover. Leave the pillow in a well-ventilated area to dry out for at least 2 hours. After 2 hours, touch the pillow to make sure it's completely dry, and then place the pillow in its cover. To speed up the process, you can wipe the surface of the pillow with a dry towel after applying the soap and water.
Using Baking Soda to Eliminate Odors
Remove the cover from your pillow. If your pillow is covered with a slipcover or pillowcase, take the protective covering off. Check the care instructions on the tag of the cover, and wash the cover or pillowcase in the washing machine or by hand according to the instructions. Remember to wash your pillowcase and slipcover every 2 weeks at least to keep your pillow smelling fresh.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons (28.8 grams) of baking soda over the pillow. Baking soda is a great deodorizer and can be used to freshen up a variety of surfaces, including gel and memory foam. Coat the entire pillow in a layer of baking soda, working on one side of the pillow at a time. If you have a very large or European-style pillow, you may need to use 3-4 tablespoons (43.2-57.6 grams) to cover the surface.
Let the baking soda sit on the pillow for 30 minutes. Let the pillow sit while the baking soda absorbs the odors off of the surface of the gel pillow. If possible, let the baking soda sit on the pillow overnight. If the pillow has a very bad smell, try placing it in a large plastic bag with the baking soda on it for 1-2 days. The baking soda will have time to absorb the odors from the pillow. If you have children or pets, place the pillow in a place where they can't access it, like on top of a cabinet or in the closet.
Use the brush attachment of a vacuum to remove the baking soda. After the baking soda has absorbed the smell from the pillow, vacuum the surface thoroughly. Working in sections, pull the brush across the pillow to make sure all of the baking soda is removed. Make sure to clean and dry the vacuum attachment before using it on your pillow. It might take a few passes of the vacuum to remove all of the baking soda. After the first pass, run your hand across the pillow. If it still feels grainy, vacuum it again.
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