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Laundry Tip of the Day: How to Keep White Clothes White

LAUNDRY TIPS

If you know anything about laundry, you are already familiar with the need to separate the whites and colors. The reason is simple; you don't want any of the coloring from one batch to leak in the wash and stain your whites. In order to keep your whites bright, they need to be washed together and in a completely separate load from your colored clothing.

Despite your best efforts, sometimes just one colored item mysteriously makes its way into a load of whites, only to cause your previously-white garments to come out looking tinged with grey.

Pulling your clothes out of the wash to find that they're nowhere near as white as they were when you first put them in can be pretty frustrating. Don't fret, though; there are ways that you may be able to refresh your white clothes and restore their whiteness.

Follow these tips to get your clothes white again.

Use a Color Remover

Toss your grey-tinted whites into the wash again and add a color remover product to the mix, making sure to follow the product's instructions carefully.

Use White Vinegar to Refresh Your Whites

Add half a cup of white vinegar to your whites. This may be able to pull the grey or yellow hues that are staining your whites out of the fabric and help renew their original color. Alternatively, you may use a half cup of oxygen bleach to serve the same purpose.

Soak Your Whites Before Washing

Before you toss your whites into the washing machine to rid them of their grey tone, soak them in a pail of hot water with two cups of baking soda for a couple of hours. After that, place them in the washing machine and wash them with an enzyme-rich detergent, which can break down fats, oils, and protein chains. This can be very helpful for stain removal.

How to Keep Your Clothes White

Of course, the best way to get rid of the grey is to prevent your whites from being discolored in the first place. To do that, follow these tips:

  • Make sure the whites are completely separated from colors 

  • Avoid overloading the washer

  • Use warm or hot water

  • Add baking soda to the wash

  • Dry the clothes outdoors if possible

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