After wearing it for a long time, white clothes tend to turn yellow and lose their brightness. However, bleaching clothes can maintain or restore a bright white color to the fabric. You can add bleach directly to the washing cycle in the washing machine. If you clean perishable clothes, you may need to wash them manually (by hand) with bleach in the sink or sink. Bleach can also be used to lighten or add design to clothes.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Bleaching Clothes Using the Washing Machine
Step 1. Separate all white and linen clothes
Sort out all the dirty clothes and place all the white clothes in a separate pile. Only clothes that are completely white need to be separated. If you're using bleach that's safe for the fabric color, you can add a few pieces of clothing with a colored stripe pattern or design.
Step 2. Check clothing tags or labels
Read the label of each garment to make sure it can be washed safely in the washing machine on the hot water setting. Some white clothes, such as delicate lace shirts, may need to be washed manually (by hand). Some cotton garments also need to be washed manually or only in certain areas to prevent shrinkage of the fabric.
Step 3. Set the washing cycle temperature to hot or “hot”
Meanwhile, switch other settings to the regular or “regular” wash cycle. By setting this temperature, the heat will activate the substances in the bleach and bleach the clothes.
Step 4. Pour the detergent into the cylinder of the machine
Use the same amount of detergent, according to the number of clothes or load of washing. Detergent helps remove dirt or dust from clothes. Pour the detergent directly into the machine's main tube.
Step 5. Add 180 ml of bleach
You can pour bleach directly onto the bottle cap to measure it. If you want, you can also prepare a measuring cup for washing purposes. Pour the product slowly so the bleach doesn't spill.
- If the engine canister is half full, add more bleach. If the load only fills less than the volume of the canister, you can reduce the amount of bleach.
- There are various types of bleach that can be used. Chlorine bleach works to kill germs on clothes, but can damage fragile or very delicate fabrics. Oxygen bleach (also known as “color-safe” or “all-fabric”) can be used for a wider variety of clothing types.
- You can also make your own bleach solution by mixing equal proportions of water and lemon juice or vinegar (1:1).
Step 6. Pour the bleach into the dispenser of the washing machine
This dispenser is a small closed container that is located at the top of the "lip" of the machine. After adding bleach, the machine will pour it into a wash cycle when the water is heated.
If your washing machine doesn't have a built-in dispenser, simply pour the bleach directly into the laundry water after the spin has started, before you add the clothes. Wait a few minutes for the bleach to dissolve in the water, then put the clothes in the washing machine tub
Step 7. Turn on the washing machine
You may need to pull or turn the power switch to the on or “On” position. The engine tube will soon be filled with water.
If you are using a side-load washing machine, do not run the wash cycle immediately until all the clothes have been loaded
Step 8. Put the clothes in the washing machine
Open the tub cover while the bleach, detergent, and hot water are mixed together. Put the clothes in the washing machine tub one at a time. Make sure the clothes are not tied or kinked tightly. When finished, replace the tube cap.
Step 9. Dry the clothes as usual
If clothes need to be dried, take them out of the washing machine and hang them up. If not, you can put it in the dryer with the right drying settings.
If your clothes don't look as white as you want them to be, you can bleach them again until you get the right result
Method 2 of 3: Bleaching Clothes Manually (by Hand)
Step 1. Separate delicate or easily damaged clothing
Check clothing care labels and separate clothes labeled as “hand wash” or “delicate” (perishable).
If the clothes are quite dirty, you will need to soak them briefly in the sink or sink with a little detergent before bleaching them. By soaking, the bleach can absorb into the fabric evenly
Step 2. Mix bleach and water to make 120 ml of bleach in a sink or sink filled with 4 liters of water
It's a good idea to use warm or hot water, but you can also use cold or cool water according to the washing recommendations on the clothing care label.
Make sure the surface of the sink or sink is bleach safe or resistant if you want to use it to bleach clothes. Certain types of surfaces, such as certain types of marble, can be damaged when exposed to bleach
Step 3. Soak the clothes in the bleach mixture
Press the clothes into the bottom of the sink or sink so that they are completely submerged. You can also put on gloves and swirl the clothes in the bleach mixture if you prefer. After that, soak the clothes for about 15 minutes.
Do not expose your hands to the bleach mixture when cleaning clothes. Wear closed and tight washing gloves to protect your skin
Step 4. Rinse the clothes with cold water after soaking for 15 minutes
While wearing gloves, pull the plug on the sink or sink or carefully transfer each item of clothing from the tub to the sink for rinsing. Turn on the cold water tap and place the clothes under running water. This step helps rinse the bleaching chemicals from the clothes.
Step 5. Hang or lay out each piece of clothing to dry
Usually, clothes that are delicate or easily damaged cannot be tumble dried. Instead, carefully stack each item and hang it on the drying rack. You can also place a towel on a hard surface and spread wet clothes on it.
Method 3 of 3: Using Bleach As a Spot Treatment
Step 1. Make sure the stains on your clothes are not greasy
To do a spot treatment with bleach, the clothes must be white. You can also only use bleach for certain stains, such as coffee or dirt/grass stains. Bleach does not remove oily stains effectively, such as oil stains. The condition of the stain can actually worsen if exposed to bleach.
If you need to remove an oily stain, take your clothes to a professional dry cleaning service. They have chemicals that can lift stains more effectively than bleach
Step 2. Place a clean washcloth on the workbench
It's a good idea to use a solid, flat surface, such as a table or kitchen cabinet. Place a clean cotton washcloth on the table. After that, place the stained garment on a washcloth. Make sure the washcloth is thick enough to absorb any residual bleach.
Step 3. Make sure the stained part of the garment is facing downwards
With this position, the back of the stain is visible and easy to clean. When applied to the stain, the bleach will release and dissolve the stain until it is absorbed into the towel or washcloth under the clothes. If the stain is on the shirt, place a towel or washcloth between the two layers of shirt fabric.
Step 4. Make a solution of bleach and water
Mix the bleach with water in a small bowl in a ratio of 1:30. Stir with a spoon to mix evenly. Prepare the mixture as needed as you can recreate it if needed.
Step 5. Moisten a clean white washcloth with the bleach mixture
Use a rag that can be soiled. Dip the tip of the rag in the mixture and dab it on the surface of the stain. You may need to fold the cloth and dip the clean part of the cloth in the solution when the stain begins to lift and stick to the cloth.
Step 6. Gently rub the stain
Wipe the cloth with light pressure from the outside of the stain to the inside. This motion helps prevent the stain from spreading to other parts of the garment. Keep scrubbing until the stain starts to lift.
Step 7. Wash clothes according to the care instructions
Check that the stain is completely removed before you machine wash it or dry it. The remaining stains will stick more firmly if the clothes are washed or dried right away. Once the stain is completely removed, you can put the clothes in the washer or dryer according to the care instructions. You can also hand wash them and dry them in the sun if the clothes are made of very delicate or easily damaged fabrics.
Tips
- Chlorine bleach has a shelf life of about 6 months before its efficiency decreases.
- Fabric fibers can weaken and clothes can be damaged if you wash your clothes with bleach frequently. Use bleach only when needed.
Warning
- Make sure you store bleach in a place where children cannot reach it.
- Do not mix bleach with other chemical products, such as ammonia. The mixture of the two substances can produce fumes that are lethal or harmful if inhaled.
