Why You Should Avoid Cleaning Your Pillow With TikTok's Viral Lemon Hack

Did you know that your pillow needs a thorough washing biannually? Otherwise, you run the risk of cuddling up with old sweat, dust mites, dead skin, and a host of unwanted germs and bacteria. According to a viral TikTok video, to clean your pillow, you need a bathtub filled with soap, baking soda, and citrus fruits. Although this might seem like a recipe for freshly scented pillows, you could be doing more harm than good, especially if your pillow tags have specific directions on how to clean them. But how could an antioxidant possibly be bad? For starters, the citric acid is most likely compromising your pillow's fibers, breaking them down with each wash — which is especially true if you clean your pillows frequently. 

Understandably, we want to try non-toxic hacks, and since lemons are inexpensive, this one might seem like a great way to save money while giving your pillows a lemony-fresh scent. Unfortunately, if any residual lemon juice is left behind in your pillows, you run the risk of bleaching any fabrics they come into contact with – this is especially troublesome if you have dark-colored bed linens. So before you grab yourself a bag of lemons, here's why this hack might be relegated to the pile of TikTok cleaning hacks that aren't worth the hype.

The reason why lemon juice may degrade your pillow's fibers is due to its acidity. When certain fabrics come into contact with high levels of citric acid, their overall durability is greatly reduced. This means that any textiles soaked in lemon juice can tear easily. As such, letting a pillow ferment in citric acid for hours is one way of ensuring that the fabric wears down over time. And since the average high-quality pillow costs $200, you may want to find a better alternative. 

It's also worth noting that some pillows come with warranties, but if you fail to follow the manufacturer's washing instructions, there's a good chance you'll void it. But, what about similar hacks? Do they void warranties and degrade fabrics? Anything not listed on your pillows's care instructions might be worth skipping. This includes any cleaning tips that recommend using vinegar. Like lemon juice, vinegar can also break down fibers. So, how should you care for and clean your bed pillows? Your best bet is to put your pillows in the washing machine with nothing more than regular laundry detergent.