How to Get Your Dingy White Clothes White Again
Many everyday clothes were once bright white, but through everyday use now look dingy and worn out. Men's undershirts, women's socks, plain white underwear, and even towels and washcloths can benefit from some revitalization. The grime on white clothes is often caused by deodorant stains, body oils and, in the case of socks, dirt. While there are a few different ways to whiten your whites, don't try them all at once. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Vinegar
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Add white vinegar to your laundry. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water. The acid in vinegar will not harm your clothes, but is powerful enough to remove soap and detergent residue. It also softens your clothes.
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Bring the water to a boil, then drop the clothes in. This method works best for small items, such as socks, children's clothes and undergarments.
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Soak the clothes overnight, then wash as normal. Another option to try with vinegar is adding 1/2 cup to your regular load of clothes. You may notice a slight vinegar scent while the clothes are still wet, but that will fade once they are dry.
Chlorine Bleach
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Pre-treat any stains. For a new stain, blot it out with a dry cloth, then treat with an aerosol petroleum-based solvent. If the stain has set in, spot treat it by using a damp rag and pat the stain from the wrong side of the material. Do not use soap or hot water, as they will set the stain.
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Set the water level on your washing machine. Hot water -- above 120 degrees Fahrenheit -- is best for getting your whites as white as possible.
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Add a cup of chlorine bleach to your load of whites. Add the bleach to your water. Read the directions on your container for the water to bleach ratio, but generally do not use more than 1 cup bleach. Front-loading washers have a dispensing unit specifically designed for bleach and other additives.
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Place the white clothing in the washing machine and wash as you normally would. Clothes need plenty of space to move around so avoid overcrowding your machine.
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Line dry your clothes in the sunshine. Dry your clothes in the sunshine. The sun bleaches your whites naturally. Another benefit is that there will be no static cling to your clothes.
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Tips & Warnings
A few additional things to add to your laundry are a 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or 1/4 cup dishwasher detergent.
Never soak whites in pure bleach for more than 15 minutes.
Do not use bleach on synthetic fabrics, silk, wool or spandex. Check the label to make sure it is safe to use bleach.
References
Resources
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