You're probably familiar with the need to separate the whites and colors. The reason is simple; you don't want any of the coloring from one batch to leak in the wash and stain your whites. To maintain bright laundry, you need to wash whites in a completely separate load from your colored clothing.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a colored item can accidentally end up in a load of white clothes. This can cause the white clothes to appear slightly grey.
Pulling your clothes out of the wash to find that they're nowhere near as white as they were when you first put them in can be pretty frustrating. Don't fret, though; there are ways that you may be able to refresh your white clothes and prevent discoloration.
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Wondering how to wash white clothes effectively? Follow this guide to learn whether to use hot or cold water to remove stains, how to bleach clothes, and tips to get your clothes whiter.
White Clothes Wash Temperature: Do You Wash Whites in Hot or Cold Water?
Generally, it is best to wash your whites in warm or hot water. Washing your white clothes in a higher temperature helps to remove dirt, grime, and stains more effectively. Just make sure to avoid adding any colored fabrics, as warm water might cause the colors to bleed.
It's a good idea to check the care label on clothes before deciding what temperature to wash your white clothes. Delicate fabrics may need cold water to avoid shrinking or damage. Also consider using laundry detergent for white fabrics such as Tide Brights + Whites Rescue.
Continue reading to learn how to get stains out of white clothes with bleach.
How to Bleach White Clothes
Washing with regular detergent alone is not always enough to remove stubborn stains and yellowing. Adding 1/3 cup of bleach to your washing machine's bleach dispenser or directly to your load of white clothes can help restore clothing whiteness. To bleach clothes safely, follow these tips:
Make sure to follow directions on the label of your products.
Only use bleach on white clothes to avoid discoloration and damage to colored fabrics.
Before using bleach on a whole garment, test a small area first to make sure it won't damage the fabric.
Be sure to use bleach in a ventilated area and don't mix the bleach with other cleaners to avoid dangerous fumes.
By following these tips and using bleach properly, you can effectively remove stains from your white garments.
Want to learn more about how to get a stain out of a white shirt? Check out: Does Dry Cleaning Remove Stains?
How to Brighten White Clothes: Tips on How to Keep White Clothes White
Add a cup of baking soda:
You may be wondering how to keep clothes white without bleach. Baking soda is a natural whitening agent that can help to remove stains and odors from your clothes. Simply add the baking soda to the washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent and wash as usual. Or consider soaking your whites in baking soda and hot water for a couple of hours before washing.
Use white vinegar:
Vinegar is also a great alternative to chlorine bleach. Add half a cup of white vinegar to your white laundry. This can remove the grey or yellow hues from your white clothes and restore their original color.
Fabric whitening products:
Specially designed fabric whitening products keep white clothes looking bright and fresh. These laundry boosters remove stains, brighten fabrics, and restore the original whiteness of your clothes. Tide has a variety of whitening products that can help you achieve brighter laundry.
Dry your clothes outdoors:
Drying your white clothes outdoors is a great way to keep them looking bright and white. Air drying in the sunlight can help to naturally bleach and brighten the fabric, giving your clothes a fresh and clean appearance. Additionally, hanging your clothes outside might help to remove any lingering odors and give them a pleasant, fresh scent.
Choose a Cleaner You Can Trust
This guide answers how to whiten clothes, what temp to wash whites, and how to use bleach in laundry. While these are great tips to whiten clothes at home, sometimes it is necessary to turn to the professionals.
To keep your clothes in great condition, consider using a trusted dry cleaner and laundry service to clean them for you. Tide Cleaners has the tools and expertise to keep your white clothes white and your colored clothes bright. We are also knowledgeable in how to wash white dress shirts and other delicate types of fabric.
Learn more about Tide Cleaners dry cleaning and laundry services or find a location near you.