How To Make White Clothes White Again

Are you fighting a losing battle with your white clothes and linens? It’s possible to get them looking as clean and bright as the day you first wore or used them. 

Bleach has long been the traditional method for restoring white clothes, but if you’ve got sensitive skin or simply prefer more natural ingredients, there are alternatives. In this guide, we’ve also included several non-bleach methods of whitening clothes that use ingredients you likely already have at home.

Before Getting Started

Not all white clothes and linens are made the same. Before you choose any of the effective whitening methods discussed here, read the labels to determine the best washing and drying methods. While the goal is whiter garments and linens, you’ll want to be careful not to shrink anything.

What You Need

In addition to your washer and dryer, here are some other helpful ingredients to brighten white clothing, many of which you might already have on hand.

All Methods

• Laundry detergent
• Stain remover

Method 1

• Bleach

Method 2

• Vinegar
• Tub or bucket 

Method 3

• Baking soda
• Large pot

Method 4

• 4 lemons (or ½ cup of lemon juice)
• 1 gallon of hot water
• Bucket or other container for soaking

Method 5

• Hydrogen peroxide

Health And Safety Concerns

Here are some tips to keep you and the other members of your household safe when doing laundry:

• Bleach can produce toxic fumes, so avoid mixing it with other cleaning products and use only in a well-ventilated area.
• Use gloves and eye goggles when using bleach or vinegar and baking soda to avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and open wounds.
• Follow all manufacturer’s labels and warnings on cleaning products to avoid personal injury or damage to clothing.

How To Make White Clothes White Again

If stains are present, pre-treat clothing with the stain remover of your choice first.

Method 1: Bleach

If you don’t have sensitive skin, bleach is likely the easiest method for whitening clothes. Use with caution in a well-ventilated area.

1. Check the care label to confirm you can safely launder the garment or linen using bleach. 
2. Measure out the correct amount of bleach to the wash, per the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Run a wash cycle; hot water is preferable to kill germs.
4. Line dry the clothing or put it in the dryer on a heat level appropriate for the fabric.

Method 2: White Vinegar

It helps to always have a bottle of distilled white vinegar on hand for its natural cleaning power.

1. Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar into a gallon of hot water.
2. Add clothing and let soak overnight or for at least an hour.
3. Hand wash or launder clothing on the appropriate wash cycle.
4. Line dry the clothing or put it in the dryer on a heat level appropriate for the fabric.

Method 3: Baking Soda

Baking soda is another common ingredient that can take care of many household tasks, including laundry.

1. Boil water in a large pot.
2. Once water is boiling, add a cup of baking soda and stir.
3. Turn off the stove and remove the pot from heat to a safe spot.
4. Carefully submerge clothing in baking soda solution and let soak overnight or for at least an hour.
5. Hand wash or launder clothing on the appropriate wash cycle.
6. Line dry the clothing or put it in the dryer on a heat level appropriate for the fabric.

Method 4: Lemon Juice

If you dislike the smell of vinegar, try lemons. The acid in the juice has natural bleaching properties and is especially good for linen, cotton, and polyester.

1. Squeeze four lemons to produce about ½ cup of lemon juice.
2. Add lemon juice to a gallon of hot water. Submerge clothing and let soak overnight or for at least an hour. 
3. Hand wash or launder clothing on the appropriate wash cycle.
4. Line dry the clothing or put it in the dryer on a heat level appropriate for the fabric.

Method 5: Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has mild but natural bleaching properties. Choose the 3% version in an opaque bottle at the drugstore and store it out of the sunlight at home; otherwise, it will fizz out to just plain water.

1. Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the detergent dispenser.
2. Launder clothing on the appropriate wash cycle.
3. Line dry the clothing or put it in the dryer on a heat level appropriate for the fabric.