White clothes stain, discolor, and yellow more easily than light and dark colored clothes. It's hard to keep white clothes white. With proper care, you can keep white clothes brilliant white without compromising the quality and appearance of the clothes.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Sorting and Separating White Clothes
Step 1. Separate white clothes from light and dark colored clothes
White clothes should always be washed separately from colored clothes to avoid color fading and staining white clothes.
Step 2. Separate patterned white clothes from plain white clothes
This will prevent the color from fading into plain white clothes even if there are only a few color patterns. For example, separate a white shirt with red stripes from a plain white shirt.
Step 3. Sort white clothes by level of dirtiness
This step ensures that dirt, food, and other crumbs don't stain other white clothes. For example, if a white t-shirt gets mud after using it for gardening, separate it from other, cleaner white clothes.
Step 4. Separate white shirts according to care instructions
Labels and markings on clothing provide care instructions including the temperature of the water, how to wash, and whether you are allowed to use bleach. For example, group clothes that require gentle washing in one pile and those with permanent-press fabrics in another.
Step 5. Separate white clothes that fall out easily from clothes that attract lint
This will ensure that the lint doesn't collect, stick to the fabric, and be difficult to remove. For example, don't wash white towels together with corduroy pants so that the towel fibers don't stick to the pants.
Part 2 of 3: Washing White Clothes
Step 1. Wash white clothes in hot water if possible
Hot water is more effective at killing germs and bacteria so it helps keep clothes white.
- Change the water temperature according to the washing instruction label to prevent the clothes from shrinking or deforming. For example, clothes made of nylon, spandex, lycra, and certain types of cotton will shrink when washed in hot water.
- Use cold water when washing stained white clothes. Wine, chocolate, and tea stains will be easier to remove if you wash them in cold water. Cold water also prevents the stain from transferring to other clothes.
Step 2. Give the right amount of detergent according to the instructions on the detergent container
The amount of detergent you use depends on the amount of clothing and the strength of the detergent you use.
Do not use more detergent than the directed amount. Excess detergent creates a foam layer that attracts dirt and is more visible on white clothes
Step 3. Use the right type of bleach or another natural alternative
Bleach helps restore whiteness, but can be toxic and irritate sensitive skin. You can also use chlorine bleach to remove tough stains or mix bleach and baking soda in a 1 to 1 ratio to reduce the toxins in the bleach.
- Use bleach according to the instructions on the bleach container. Don't use too much bleach, as this can lead to gray or yellow stains on the clothes.
- Avoid using bleach for delicate clothes, as chlorine and oxygen-based bleach can weaken the bonding of fabrics and cause tearing or lint in clothes.
- Replace bleach with a kitchen ingredient that works as a bleach, such as lemon water, white vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide. These ingredients will make your white clothes whiter without increasing the risk of poisoning or skin irritation.
Step 4. Consider using a blue substance to neutralize yellow stains on white clothes
Blue substance, or in Indonesia known as blau, makes clothes whiter by releasing blue dye into the washing water and removing stains during the rinsing process.
Part 3 of 3: Drying White Clothes
Step 1. Immediately transfer the white clothes from the washer to the dryer
Mold can grow on clothes that are left in the washing machine too long.
Step 2. Check for any stains left on the clothes
This prevents the dryer from permanently trapping stains on the clothes.
Rewash clothes that are still stained before putting them in the dryer
Step 3. Dry white clothes according to care instructions
Some clothes may need to be laid out on a flat surface or the instruction label recommends that the dryer be set up a certain way. For example, fabrics like nylon or acrylic require low temperatures because they tend to absorb less water.
Step 4. Dry white clothes in the sun if possible
Ultraviolet light has the natural ability to whiten clothes. Drying clothes outdoors is generally cheaper than using a tumble dryer.
Materials and Tools You'll Need
- Detergent
- Bleach
- Lemon water
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Clothesline
