Dishwasher Detergent and Bleach to Brighten Whites

Everyone's white clothes eventually get dingy and gray. Here is a way to get them bright and white again and looking like they did when new. I found this tip many years ago from Heloise. It is to be used only on whites. In a plastic, enamel or stainless steel container, add 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent and 1/4 cup chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of hot water and mix well. Add whites such as socks and t-shirts and soak for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once in a while. Rinse well and wash as usual. This has worked well for me over the years.

By deebomb from Muskegon, MI

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By 10/23/2010

Never mix Chlorine with Ammonia for it produces a deadly gas. FYI there is a form of Ammonia in dish soap.

By 09/15/2010

I am so sorry to mess up your tip but must say that I so very much wish that every single news station around the world would do a report on the serious dangers of mixing chlorine bleach with anything other than water! It's not even safe to mix bleach with simple baking soda or even vinegar because of possible health and/or deadly chemical reactions! Even bleach alone or in water can cause health issues and is horrible for our environment in general!

There are chemicals, especially in cleaning products, that mixed with bleach cause deadly fumes, cumulative permanent damage to lungs and eyes and other internal organs and can even cause explosions! The best example are a couple of chemicals in dish soap that were used in WWI to create Mustard Gas which, if it didn't kill the person immediately, they suffered life long medical issues!

It's far better and more safe to use simple vinegar or lemon juice or 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with water to soak and brighten clothes with!