‘Queen of Clean’ reveals the secret to hotel-worthy sheets and pillows

There’s nothing quite like hopping into a bed with freshly washed sheets and comfy pillows – you just know you’re going to have a wonderful sleep.

Sadly though that fresh feeling often wears off after a couple of nights. But now, Shannon Lush, who is also known as the ‘Queen of Clean’, has come to the rescue with handy tips on how to keep your pillows and sheets clean – and it’s very easy. Speaking to 7 News recently, the cleaning professional provided some helpful hacks on overhauling your bedroom, without cracking a sweat or breaking the budget.

Pillows

You probably wash your pillow cases fairly regularly – at least when you wash the rest of your sheets and the doona cover. But, what about the actual pillows? They can either be washed by hand or in the washing machine, depending on what type they are, and according to Lush, it’s best to use warm water and a cheap shampoo. And it should be done at least once a month, but even more regularly during the summer months if they’re sweaty.

If you choose the washing machine, there’s one hack you need to know. Instead of squashing the pillows into the compartment, try placing two or three pillows at a time flat along the curve of the barrel so the ends touch. Once they have finished washing there’s a certain way you should dry them as well.

“Dry pillows flat either on a drying rack on on the washing line,” Lush said. “If you’re going to dry them on the washing line, peg a towel over two lines to create a tray. Put the pillow on top and peg it to the towel so it doesn’t flip over. Turn every two hours.”

Meanwhile, Lush advised using cotton or linen pillowcases to keep your pillows fresh, along with a pillow protector as well. These items should also be washed regularly in hot water to help remove fats and oils that soak into the material. And if you’re a mascara wearer, this can be removed from pillowcases by wiping over some methylated spirits before placing in the wash.

Sheets

Bad quality sheets can make a for a bad night’s sleep, so it’s important to keep them feeling fresh. Lush recommends adding rice starch to your fabric conditioner slot in your washing machine to help make the sheets just like the ones in hotels.

All you need to do is keep the leftover water from boiling rice and add one cup of this rice-water starch to two cups of plain water and stir thoroughly. Then place half a cup of this mixture to the washing machine slot. It’s as easy as that!

“Not only does it make your sheets feel lovely, but the rice starch is also good for your skin and absorbs sweat,” Lush said. “And is much, much cheaper than a night in a hotel.”