Cleaning > Clothing StainsAugust 13, 2010

Getting Whites Clothes White Again

Ingredients:

  • 1 gal. hot water
  • 1/2 cup automatic dish washing soap (powder)
  • 1/4 cup bleach

Directions:

Pour the hot water into a plastic, enamel or stainless steel (not aluminum) container. Add the dish washing soap and bleach, and stir well. Put 100% cotton in this and let soak for 30 minutes. Then wash as usual. This works well, they come out snow white.

For rayon or polyester, do not put clothes in while water is hot.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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By
08/17/2010

Just adding baking soda to my wash gets my whites really white. I gave up using bleach years ago as it would yellow some whites.

By
08/15/2010

I got this recipe from Heloise many years go and have used it often over he years. it really does work.

By
08/13/2010

Using the bleach isn't necessary. Just the dishwasher detergent such as Cascade or any store brand is enough on it's own.

By
08/13/2010

I am so very sorry, Robin, but it simply isn't safe mixing chlorine bleach with "anything" other than water. The fumes that can be created from mixing with various chemicals, including vinegar, can create such mixtures as mustard gas, chloroform and can even be explosive. :-( Even chlorine bleach alone is highly toxic to lungs and the environment. I so wish we humans could give up the idea of needing whiter and brighter using such a volatile product when there are natural alternatives.

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(Archived Aug 13, 2010)Getting Whites Clothes White Again

Tip: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

I'm a poor college student, so when I do my washes, I tend to mix colors and do it on cold. That way colors have less of a chance of running. It works better than you'd think. After a while my whites start to get a little darker, I suppose because of the blacks in the wash, including a shirt I just got (first wash!). This shirt, among a few others that could use some whitening, have that plastic shirt logo/band names/design.

What's the best way to get these clothes blindingly white again, without ruining the logos and whatnot? Should I hand wash them with some home remedy and then, when they're good again, continue washing them with like colors? Thanks in advance.

Rylee from Hollywood, CA

Feedback:

RE: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

Ok college kid, I have one just like you and he did the same thing. You need to stop RIGHT NOW washing whites with colors! Use OxyClean with hot water for JUST THE WHITES instead of liquid bleach (fades the logos, etc.) and continue to wash whites alone. Unless of course, you want dingy whites all the time, which you don't. I know this makes 2 loads where you possibly have only 1 good sized load but this is the only way I know to keep whites white. Works at my house and worked for my OSU student. Maybe you could get a friend to share a washer with you. (06/30/2008)

By Glenn'sMom

RE: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

Rit Dye company makes a product that will remove the dye from improperly washed clothes. It's called (you guessed it) dye remover. You can find it in supermarkets. Wash your colors separately, wash whites alone. Otherwise, everything becomes grey! (07/02/2008)

By Jennifer

RE: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

There is a RIT DYE product (Color Remover) that comes in a powder or liquid you can get at most any store. I like to use the powder and put it in the sink, or a bucket, go by the directions then add your dingy whites and let soak. Then put in your washing machine and wash as usual. Might have to put your sunglasses on when you take them from the wash! (07/04/2008)

By rainy21

RE: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

Tried washing with 3 or 4 aspirins. It works. (07/14/2008)

By brittnie

RE: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

When my white articles get stained or dingy from our hard water, I soak them in a bucket of hot water with plain old Cascade dishwasher powder or liquid. Makes them white as new and doesn't rot the material the way that Clorox does. (03/02/2010)

By Lamico

RE: Getting Whites Clothes White Again

My friend gave me this hint, in your wash put 2 cap of peroxide. It makes your white white. (03/07/2010)

By atinap

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