Viral TikTok Shows The Gross Satisfaction of Strip Washing Pillows
Experts say you should replace your pillows every 12 months, but here’s what to do instead.
Pillow manufacturers recommend replacing your pillows every 12 months, but TikTok user @brunchwithbabs exclaims "That would cost a fortune!" Instead, she suggests pillow stripping.
Pillow stripping involves filling a tub with hot water, adding a 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup Borax, and 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent, then soaking the pillows for 24 hours. Afterward, the pillows are squeezed to remove excess water and washed in the machine on a normal cycle, with no detergent. Finally, the pillows are dried in the dryer with dryer balls or clean tennis balls.
The results? White pillows and very dirty water. The stripping process pulls out body oils, excess detergent, and everything else the washing machine can't get out.
Make sure to check the labels on pillows before washing, as memory foam and down pillows may not be suitable for washing.