How to get stains out of pillowcases and bedsheets?

Question

I just washed my bedding & I'm trying to figure out how to get out these stains! Not like spot-stains, but, I don't know what you'd call it, a total stain?? Anyway, my pillowcase used to be white, but now the middle's more of a tan. Same thing with my bedsheet (fitted sheet). The pillowcase has a coral-orange trim, & the bedsheet has little pink flower design on it. Is there any way I can get these stains out?

Thanks!! =)

Answer 1

The stains that you have described are caused by your body oils accumulating in the fabric.  If you have 'hard' water, the minerals in the water attach themselves to the oils in the bedding and before you know it your sheets start looking and feeling dirty and dingy, even though they have been washed.  If your sheets are made with a synthetic fabric, i.e. polyester/cotton instead of 100% cotton, it makes matters worse because stains, especially greasy ones, are hard to remove from synthetic fabrics.

Re-wash your sheets in the hottest water possible with 1/4 cup of bleach added.  DO NOT ever use liquid fabric softeners or dryer sheets as they  will cause further build-up and just make matters worse.  If your sheets do not improve after the re-wash, then soak them in hot water with Oxiclean as per the instructions on the package.  It will take the stains out.

Answer 2

This may be caused by oils from the sun screen embedded in you skin - or perspiration fluids from your body in the hot water.  You could (  with your pillow cases anyhow) soak them in hot water & vinegar or lemon juice before you wash them in the regular way.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

The sheets may not look good, but they'll still do the job. But, if you try a stain remover on the spots or areas that are stained that might help. If the stain is something like a color that ran from another item in the wash, the damage is done. Make them tyetied or get new ones, sorry!!!

Answer 4

This is caused by body grease and perspiration.  If the bedding is not washed in hot enough water it will eventually turn yellow in the middle.  I wash my bedding on 60 deg C and this prevents this.  Washing a couple of times on this temperature with a good quality biological powder may remove most of this yellowing.  Good luck.

Answer 5

one thing to do is hang the out to dry.. the sun will whiten and clean the sheets..

borax works to whiten.. and the good old standby to get out the oil on those sheets.. Simple Green.. for solid whites.. try some bluing in the wash.. it works miracles.. ask any of the old-school nurses that had to keep their uniforms white.. or mothers that did their own diapers..