How to Whiten Things Without Using Bleach

Whiten shirts in the sun.

Chlorine bleach is commonly used to whiten clothes and remove tough stains from white fabric. Chlorine, however, is a harsh chemical that can irritate your skin, eyes and lungs and that can cause serious health issues if it is accidentally ingested. Prevent this by using other alternatives to whiten fabrics. Use natural products that are safe for the environment and your family.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Cloths

Instructions

Using the Sun

1. Wash the white items as normal.

2. Hang the white items out to dry on a drying line that is in direct sunlight.

3. Let the clothes sit for several hours until they are completely dry. The sunlight naturally bleaches fabric and will whiten white fabric.

Using Lemons

1. Cut a lemon in half.

2. Rub the fleshy part on the lemon half over stains on the white fabric or on areas that are no longer white such as the collar or cuffs on a shirt.

3. Lay the fabric in the sun if possible for several hours.

4. Launder the white fabric as normal.

Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Dab hydrogen peroxide over stains of white fabric or on areas that are no longer white. Use a sponge or a clean cloth.

2. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit on the stain for several minutes.

3. Launder the white fabric as you normally would.

References

• Apartment Therapy: 5 Ways to Naturally Clean Whites
• The New Homemaker; Natural Cleaning Alternatives; Donna Stone