How to Bleach a White Shirt Properly

Bleach can keep your white shirts dazzling.

White shirts are often the first in your closet to show dirt and yellowing with age. Bleach can help to restore the whiteness to your shirt, but it is important to use it properly. Bleach is a very powerful chemical, and can destroy your shirt if used incorrectly. Fortunately it is not difficult to bleach your shirt properly, and you should be able to achieve a well-bleached garment on your very first try.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Detergent
• Bleach

Instructions

1. Check the tag on your shirt to see if it warns against using chlorine bleach. If it does, use color-safe bleach instead.

2. Start the washer and allow it to fill with water.

3. Add detergent to the water, and then add chlorine bleach according to the ratio stated on the bottle. Most bleaches recommend 3/4 to 1 cup per wash.

4. Let the wash cycle run for a few minutes to thoroughly disperse the bleach and detergent.

5. Add the shirt and allow the wash cycle to complete.

6. Run a second wash cycle with no detergent or bleach to completely rinse the bleach out of the fabric.

References

• New Mexico State University; Getting Clothes Clean; Susan Wright
• Clorox: How to Use Bleach