Pillows look cleaner and whiter if you ditch bleach for a common kitchen item in September

Autumn is a time when we are putting thicker duvets and blankets on our beds to make them cosier during the cold weather, but it is also important to give pillows a good wash. Pillows tend to be filthy after summer as we tend to sweat a lot on our sleep in the warmer months, and this leftover moisture will leave a residue. If sweat is not cleaned out of pillows, it can cause deep yellow stains as well as encourage bacteria or even mould spores to build up in the fabric.

Dirty pillows can make your bed uncomfortable and can lead to acne breakouts, a stuffy nose, or even watery eyes while you are trying to sleep. However, the bedding experts at Anne De Solene, have shared deep cleaning pillows to get rid of sweat and stains is very easy, as all you need is some lemon juice.

They said: "With its natural bleaching properties, when mixed with water and applied to yellowed areas, lemon juice can bring back the brightness."

It might sound a little strange, but lemon juice contains citric acid, which is antibacterial and will help sanitise a pillow if you are trying to clean the sweat from them.

Using lemon juice is a natural way to kill any germs or mould spores so you do not have to resort to buying a harsh chemical product.

Cleaning products like bleach are not effective on pillow stains because the proteins in sweat react with the chlorine, causing the stains to set in more deeply instead of lifting.

However, lemon juice not only breaks down sweat but it will also whiten fabric, which makes it the perfect eco-friendly alternative to bleach.

How to use lemon juice to deep clean pillows.

All you need to do is fill a large basin or bathtub with warm water, then add 120ml of lemon juice.

If you wish, it can also help to add baking soda to the solution as it is very absorbent and can get rid of any bad smells in the fabric as well as help break down the sweat stains.

Let the pillows soak for one hour, and once the time is up, gently press on the pillow to get rid of any excess water.

You can place the pillows in the washing machine at this point, or rinse under lukewarm water to make sure all the lemon juice is gone.

Then, the most effective way to get sweat stains out is to hang the pillows next to a window or place them outside in the sun to dry.

The expert said: "Have your pillows bask in the sun. This will amplify the lemon's whitening effect, leaving a fresh, clean, and inviting fragrance."

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight naturally react to the citric acid in lemon juice, so help to deep clean the pillow as it is drying.

However, this is best done in late September to mid-October, as any later the weather will likely be too cold to dry laundry properly.

Once your pillows are completely dry, they should look noticeably cleaner, appear whiter, and smell fresher so they are perfect for enjoying a comfortable night's sleep this autumn