Expert's 90p hack will have your pillows looking brand new in 30 minutes - without a washing machine

Allen Civlak, a laundry expert, says there is an alternative method to effectively clean your pillows without washing them.

Pillows, which gather dead skin cells, oils, and sweat from our bodies as we sleep, need to be cleaned regularly. A study by Amerisleep revealed that an unwashed pillowcase can harbour 17 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat after just one week of use, with up to three million colony-forming units (CFUs) per square inch.

However, not all pillows can be safely washed in a washing machine, particularly those made of delicate materials or filled with special stuffing. Plus, with the cost of living crisis, people are seeking budget-friendly cleaning hacks for their household items, many of which involve avoiding the use of washing machines due to their high running costs.

Fortunately, Allen Civlak, a laundry expert and owner of Mary's Kitchen Flour Sack Towels, claims there is an alternative method to effectively clean your pillows without washing them. This cleaning solution utilises two of the most affordable cleaning products available on supermarket shelves - baking soda and vinegar.

This cleaning hack will set you back less than 90p. The prices are based on supermarket-branded products, with a 200g packet of baking soda costing around 50p and a 500ml bottle of vinegar priced at 35p.

To clean pillows, start by removing any pillowcases, covers, or protectors before generously sprinkling baking soda on the pillows. Make sure both sides are covered, reports the Express.

The next step is giving the baking soda a healthy spritz with the vinegar solution. To create the mix, you just need to blend equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.

Spritz your pillows lightly with this tangy mixture. The pair of baking soda and vinegar work their magic to "break down odours and lift stains".

Take a break and let the pillows sit for a while, at least half an hour, as the dynamic duo tackles the unpleasant smells and refreshes your pillows. After allowing them to settle, tackle the pillows with either a scrub or pull out a vacuum cleaner equipped with an upholstery brush to remove the baking soda and any loosened dirt, making sure to clean both sides thoroughly.

If the weather's on your side, give them an air out as sunlight possesses "natural disinfectant properties" that eliminate lingering odours. If not, placing the pillow by a slightly open window can have a comparable effect.

Fluffing the pillows and rotating them ensures the cleanness and dryness are well distributed. Before slipping them back into clean pillowcases, they should have a few hours basking in fresh air.

Allen summarised the process, stating: “By using baking soda and vinegar, you can naturally clean and freshen your pillows, leaving them smelling clean and revitalised. ”.