Lexi Webster
Keeping white clothes white can be a challenge, especially when they are exposed to oils, sweat, and other stains. While bleach is a popular option for whitening clothes, it may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin or a preference for natural alternatives. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to restore and maintain the brightness of white garments. This includes the use of natural ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and sunlight, as well as specialised products like oxygen bleach and stain removers. Sorting laundry, pre-soaking, and following care instructions are also essential steps in keeping whites bright.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wash cycle | Cold water, "whites" wash cycle, hot wash cycle |
| Wash items separately | Yes |
| Use colour catcher sheet | Yes |
| Sort by soil level | Yes |
| Pre-soak very dirty items | Yes |
| Fill drum no more than three-quarters full | Yes |
| Follow detergent dosing instructions | Yes |
| Line-dry outdoors | Yes |
| Whitening agents | Bleach, oxygen bleach, chlorine bleach, oxygen-based bleach, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, white vinegar, distilled white vinegar, borax, citric acid, bluing liquid, Liquid Laundromats, OxiClean, Vanish Oxi Action Powder, Dr Beckmann Glowhite Ultra, Ace Gentle Stain Remover, diluted household bleach |
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What You'll Learn
Wash whites separately to avoid dye transfer
To keep white clothes white, it's important to wash them separately from coloured clothing. Dye transfer from darker-coloured clothing can cause white clothes to become discoloured, appearing yellowed, dingy, or dull.
While modern washing machines are designed to handle mixed loads, and colourfast clothing is less likely to bleed, it's still important to take precautions to avoid dye transfer. Firstly, always wash new coloured clothing separately, as these are more likely to bleed dye. You can test new items by rubbing a damp white paper towel on a hidden seam—if the colour transfers, wash the item separately. Stick to cold water when washing mixed loads, as this is safest for most fabrics and colours.
If you are washing a load of white garments that contain spandex or have mixed colour patterns, you should treat them as colours and avoid using bleach. However, if you are washing a load of colourfast items with your whites, you can proceed as you would with any other white load.
In addition to separating whites and colours, there are other ways to keep your whites bright. You can use household products like hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, baking soda, or vinegar to brighten white clothes. Sunlight is also a natural whitener, so hanging your whites out to dry in the sun can help preserve their whiteness.
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Soak in a solution of oxygen bleach and water
So, you want to make your white clothes white again and are considering using oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach is a natural, plant-based product that is safer to use than chlorine bleach. It can kill bacteria and brighten and whiten clothes without the drawbacks of traditional bleach.
To soak your white clothes in a solution of oxygen bleach and water, start by checking the care label on your garment. While oxygen bleach is safer than chlorine bleach, it is still important to check that it is safe for the fabric. You should also ensure that your hands are totally dry before handling oxygen bleach.
Next, prepare the solution. Powdered formulas are more stable and will retain their cleaning power longer than liquid formulas. The powder can be mixed with warm or cool water to create the desired amount of solution. If you are using very cold water, it is recommended to mix with warm water first to ensure the powder dissolves easily. The amount of powder required will depend on the product you are using and the level of soiling of the clothes. For exceptionally soiled clothing, two tablespoons of powder will be more effective.
Once you have prepared the solution, it is time to add your clothes. Use a sink or separate container for soaking and ensure the powder or liquid solution is mixed with the water before adding your clothes. Submerge the entire garment and allow it to soak for as long as possible. A minimum of 30 minutes is recommended, but for best results, soak for at least one hour. Soaking overnight is ideal for tough stains.
After soaking, run a wash cycle as normal. Remember to follow up with a good rinse with plain water to ensure no powdery residue remains. And that's it! Your white clothes should now be brighter and whiter.
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Use household ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda
Lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda are all great household ingredients to use when attempting to make your white clothes white again.
Lemon juice contains high levels of citric acid, which naturally breaks down stains. To use lemon juice to brighten your white laundry, make a paste by adding lemon juice to a couple of teaspoons of salt. Apply the paste to the stain and let it dry outside in direct sunlight. Then, wash the garment in hot water with your regular detergent.
Alternatively, cut a lemon in half, cover the stain with one tablespoon of baking soda, and rub the lemon over the baking soda, working the juice into the fabric. Let the treatment sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Lemon juice can also be used in place of chlorine bleach for whites. Add a quarter to a half cup of lemon juice to your load of laundry.
White vinegar is another effective household product for whitening laundry. Pour half a cup of distilled white vinegar directly into the washing machine drum alongside a load of whites. Wash your clothes as usual, using detergent and following the care label guidance. Vinegar can also be used to pre-treat mildew stains and odours caused by sweat.
Baking soda is excellent for removing tough stains and brightening whites. Toss half a cup of baking soda in with your detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle.
It is important to note that vinegar and baking soda should not be used together in the same wash cycle. Additionally, lemon juice should not be mixed with chlorine bleach, as this can create harmful gases.
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Use colour-saving laundry rules and stain-removing tricks
Colour-saving laundry rules are essential to keeping your whites bright. Always separate whites from coloured fabrics, and wash heavily soiled items with other messy garments to prevent soil from spreading. Use the recommended amount of detergent for the load size, and don't overfill the machine—that way, dirt and residue can rinse away completely.
To prevent white clothing from turning yellow, it's important to wash whites separately from colourful or dark fabrics, use warm or hot water, and add natural cleaning agents like baking soda or vinegar to the load.
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a powerful cleaning agent that can help cut through the soil on cotton clothing that leaves them dull. To use this method, create a paste with baking soda and warm water, then apply it to stained areas before washing. Alternatively, add a cup of baking soda to a gallon of boiling water, remove from heat, and add your clothes. Let them soak for at least an hour or overnight, then wash as usual.
Another natural cleaning agent is lemon juice, which acts as a gentle bleach and stain remover. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto stained areas and let them dry in the sun for natural bleaching. You can also add around half a cup of lemon juice to your washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent to boost brightness.
White vinegar is another natural alternative to bleach. Pour half a cup of distilled white vinegar directly into the washing machine drum alongside a load of whites. Clothes can be washed as usual using detergent and following care label guidance. This method is gentle and won't affect any coloured areas on your garments. Plus, any vinegar scent washes out completely, leaving clothes smelling fresh.
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Prevent yellowing by washing with warm or hot water
Yellowing of white clothes is often caused by unwashed sebum stains, the use of too much detergent and fabric softener, oxygenation, deodorant stains, washing with well water, or long-term storage. To prevent yellowing, it is important to wash your clothes thoroughly, removing any sebum stains. For collars and sleeves that tend to yellow, spot-wash them before washing or apply liquid detergent before putting them in the washing machine.
Washing with warm or hot water can help dissolve sebum and dirt, removing odours and preventing yellowing. Warm water washing is effective for removing yellowing caused by sweating. The high heat of a dryer can "bake" detergent residue into the fibres and leave them yellow, so it is best to air-dry white clothes.
To prevent yellowing, wash whites separately from coloured or dark fabrics. When washing mixed items, use a colour catcher sheet or a reusable colour and dirt collector. Also, avoid overloading your washing machine, as overcrowding can hinder washing performance and make it harder for dirt to rinse away.
To use vinegar as a pre-treatment, mix a solution of hot water and vinegar and let your white clothes soak for one hour to overnight. Then, wash as usual.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent yellowing, wash white clothes separately from coloured or dark fabrics, use warm or hot water, and add baking soda to your detergent. Also, wash white clothes promptly to remove sweat and body oils.
Lemon juice is a natural and eco-friendly bleach alternative. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto stained areas and let them dry in the sun. You can also add half a cup of lemon juice to your washing machine along with your regular detergent.
Bleach is likely the most effective approach for whitening clothes. However, it can be harsh on fabrics and skin. If you have sensitive skin, try oxygen bleach or bleach-free products like baking soda or vinegar.
Wash white clothes in cold water to prevent fading. Turn clothes inside out before washing to reduce wear on the outside of the item. Also, separate heavily soiled items from lightly soiled ones to prevent dirt redistribution.
For tough stains like wine and makeup, try oxygen bleach or OxiClean. For protein-based or oily stains, treat with enzyme pre-soaks, detergent, baking soda paste, or lemon juice before washing.
