This season is characterized by fluctuating temperatures—sudden cold spells followed by warm periods—which makes it a prime time for colds to spread. It’s also the season when various bacteria and viruses thrive and multiply. Mites, bacteria, and other microorganisms on bedding often trigger respiratory illnesses or cause colds to linger and recur. So, how should pillows and bed sheets be disinfected and cleaned during this season? And how can we create a healthy living environment?

　　Pillow disinfection and cleaning

　　High-temperature sterilization method

　　First, prepare a large black plastic bag and slip the pillow inside. Choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight, and leave the pillow out in the sun for two hours. The black plastic bag absorbs heat, which helps kill dust mites and bacteria on the pillow. After two hours, take the pillow out—now not only are the dust mites and bacteria eliminated, but it also carries a warm, pleasant scent of sunshine!

　　Low-temperature sterilization method

　　The first step is still to slip the pillow into a black plastic bag. After leaving it in the refrigerator for 24 hours, just take it out—and your pillow will be spotlessly clean!

　　Cleaning methods for various stains on bedding

　　1. Sweat stains

　　Items: Ammonia solution (available at pharmacies or chemical supply stores), winter melon, saline solution

　　Washing instructions: Place the fabric in a cold saltwater solution with a concentration of 3–5%, soak it for 1–2 hours, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Mash the winter melon into a paste, place it in a cloth bag, and squeeze out the juice. Use this juice to scrub the fabric stained with sweat, then rinse it clean with fresh water. To further remove stubborn stains, add a few drops of ammonia to the fresh water and soak the fabric in it until it’s thoroughly rinsed.

　　2. Bloodstain

　　Items: Ginger juice, white radish juice, sulfur soap, or hydrogen peroxide

　　Washing method: Apply hydrogen peroxide to the bloodstain, or scrub it with white radish juice—this will remove the bloodstain immediately. For old bloodstains, you can rub them clean using sulfur soap. Remember this important point: Blood contains protein, and protein becomes harder to dissolve when exposed to heat. Therefore, never use hot water to remove bloodstains.

　　3. Mold spots

　　Items: mung bean sprouts, alcohol, citric acid, soap solution

　　Washing method: Place mung bean sprouts onto the moldy spots and vigorously rub them with both hands. After exposing the mold stains to direct sunlight, clean them off using a brush. Silk can be washed with citric acid and rinsed in cold water; alternatively, it can be soaked overnight in rice-washing water for effective removal. For more stubborn mold stains, apply a 5% alcohol solution and repeatedly scrub several times.

　　4. Lipstick

　　Items: Gasoline, soda water (available at major supermarkets), alcohol

　　Washing instructions: Pour some rubbing alcohol onto the fabric stained with lipstick, rub vigorously, and then rinse thoroughly in clean water. If the lipstick stain is particularly deep, dip a small brush into gasoline and gently scrub the area, then wash it off using warm water mixed with detergent. If gasoline isn't available, you can use baking soda solution—dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently dab the stained area.

　　5. Strange taste

　　Items: White vinegar mixed with water, Jin Fang

　　Washing instructions: If your bedding isn't dried properly, it may develop an unpleasant musty odor. To eliminate this smell, mix white vinegar with water and soak the affected garments for about five minutes. Then, simply air-dry your bedding in a well-ventilated area! Alternatively, you can wash your bedding in the washing machine, adding some fabric softener—this will naturally remove any lingering odors.

　　6. Yellowing (3 methods)

　　Method 1: Rice-washing water + orange peel

　　Washing method: Save the rice-washing water left after rinsing rice, add a few pieces of orange peel to it, then pour the mixture into a pot and add water. Bring to a boil, then soak and scrub yellowed pillowcases, bed sheets, and other items in the mixture. Before long, they’ll regain their original whiteness.

　　Method 2: Lemon Juice

　　Washing method: Lemon juice is alkaline, while sweat stains are acidic. When the two neutralize each other, the yellow discoloration disappears. Therefore, when washing pillowcases and bed sheets, you can add a bit of lemon juice to the water to effectively remove yellow stains.

　　Method 3: Baking soda + dish soap

　　Washing instructions: Simply soak your yellowed bedding in this solution and gently scrub it to easily restore its whiteness. If you’d like to wash pillows in the washing machine, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of dish soap, then run the wash cycle on a standard setting—your pillows will never yellow again!

　　The living environment should be well-ventilated.

　　Spring is the peak season for respiratory infectious diseases. These infectious diseases can spread through airborne transmission, short-distance droplet contact with respiratory secretions, and other similar routes. In places where people are densely packed and air circulation is poor, such diseases tend to spread more easily. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your home environment well-ventilated by opening windows naturally, which can effectively reduce the number of microorganisms in indoor air and improve indoor air quality. Additionally, green plants can help purify the air, filter and absorb radioactive substances, and reduce noise pollution in your living environment.