How to use whitening alternatives to Chlorine Bleach

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By dendiva
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Bleach alternatives

Chlorine bleach can be very useful. It disinfects, deodorizes and whitens are whites. There are times though that chlorine bleach is not practical. I think most of us have had a ‘bleach accident’ so we have learned to respect it’s potency. Chlorine bleach is great for cottons, linens and some synthetics. Here are some whitening alternatives that can be used for more delicate materials such as wool, silk, acetate and spandex.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Oxygen Bleach
Lemons
3% hydrogen peroxide
Denture cleaning tablets
Bluing
Automatic dishwasher detergent

Step 1

Lemon juice can be used to whiten clothes. It is like natures bleach, also a great disinfectant. Use the hottest water possible for the fabric you’re bleaching and add bottled lemon juice or actual lemon slices. I use two lemons or ½ cup lemon juice to 1 gallon of hot water and soak fabric for at least 30 minutes or even overnight. This works well on white sheets, towels underwear and socks. Especially if you can hang your freshly lemon bleached clothes to dry in the sun you will have the whitest environmentally safe whites. Lemon is safe for all polyester fabrics but is not recommended for silks.
Step 2

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another great bleaching agent and works wonderful on wool or wool blends. Use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, this is the kind most of us have in our medicine cabinets. Use 1 part peroxide to 8 parts cold water and soak overnight. Keep in mind that peroxide is a bleach and is not recommended for colors.
Step 3

Denture Cleaning tablets

Has this ever happened to you? You reach for that white shirt that has been hanging in your closet for a while and it has yellow stains. It’s happened to me, and the best thing that I have found to get out those old yellow stains is Denture-cleaning tablets. Fill your sink with warm water and dissolve a couple tablets in the water. Add fabric and soak until the yellowing is removed. This also works great on linens such as those pesky stains on tablecloths.
Step 4

Automatic dish washing detergent can also work well as a bleaching agent for white fabrics. Add 2 tablespoon of detergent to about a gallon of hot water and soak fabric in solution. Soak overnight or at least 30 minutes. This also can be done in your washing machine if your machine has a soak feature. Let the detergent dissolve in the water before adding your clothes to be whitened.
Step 5

Bluing

Bluing is a whitening agent that has been around for quite awhile. It contains a blue pigment that counteracts with yellowing or graying that occurs in some fabrics. It also works to remove the yellow in gray or white hair in humans and animals alike. Dilute with water and always read the directions on bottle before use.

Comments

eac913 said

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on 10/6/2009 I had a great aunt who put bluing in her hair lol. Thanks for the informative article on alternatives to Chlorine Bleach for whitening. 5*