Has your favorite white shirt got stains on it? Or does it seem a bit discolored after washing it time and time again? Luckily, using a few tips and tricks, your white shirts will shine again in no time!
There are several safe and effective ways to clean your white clothes. From hand soaking to using a washing machine with added bleach, you can get back the whiteness of your clothes without damaging them.
Safety Tips Before Whitening Your Clothes
Bleaching white clothes can be tricky, and it is important to take the necessary precautions to avoid damaging the fabric. To bleach your white clothes safely, you should remember the following tips listed below:
- Ensure the room where you will use the bleach is well ventilated
- Make sure your clothes can bear the strong cleaning power of the bleach before using it by testing an inconspicuous area first
- If there is a bleach spill, clean up immediately with a damp cloth
- Choose a method or format that will determine the type of bleach you need. For example, liquid for washing machines and pen or spray for spot stains
- Wear a plastic apron and rubber gloves to protect yourself from contact with bleaches
- Check labels for “do not bleach” instructions before bleaching
- Use only laundry-purpose bleaches and never mix ammonia with them, as this could release toxic gas
- Avoid natural fibers such as leather, wool, or silk when bleaching
- Dilute concentrated bleaches before using them directly on fabric to avoid destroying your clothes.
By following these guidelines, you can make sure that you don't damage your clothes when trying to whiten them. Bleaching also needs careful consideration regarding the tools used and temperature settings in order to achieve desired results without damaging fabrics.
Furthermore, using protective gear such as gloves and aprons should always be encouraged when dealing with harsh chemicals like bleaches.
Best Ways To Bleach Your Clothes?
When it comes to washing your white shirts with bleach, there are two ways you can do so. Below, we will go over the steps you should follow.
Bleach Your White Clothes by Soaking Them
When it comes to bleaching white clothes, it is important to select the right container. A great option for a container for this type of task is a clean construction-grade bucket, your washing machine, or a bathtub.
These all make stirring and agitation of the clothes easy while they soak. It is also important to ensure that the white clothes are covered with water by at least a few inches above them. Doing this will allow better absorption of bleach and can make the process more effective. Measure the right quantity of bleach according to the instructions on your bottle and add it to a gallon of water.
For one single item of clothing, use a few tablespoons, while up to 1 cup can be used when soaking more than one white cloth. After adding the proper amount of bleach and soaking your clothes evenly, allow the clothes to soak for 10 minutes, and no more, as bleach can damage your fabrics if you leave them soaked for too long.
When these 10 minutes are up, remove the shirt or other clothes from the bucket and rinse them under cold running water before drying. This will help remove any residual detergent and bleach from your fabrics.
To dry your garments, wring out any excess water and hang them up or tumble dry them. If desired, one may also choose to wash their white clothing with other whites in order to make the bleaching as efficient as possible.
Bleach Your White Clothes by Using a Washing Machine
In order to use detergent and bleach in your laundry machine, start by pouring the detergent into the machine. The amount of detergent you will use depends on the size of the load. Measure out the bleach using a measuring cup or bottle cap.
Or, skip the hassle of finding the proper detergent able to be used with bleach and look at the pre-measured laundry detergent strips from Tru Earth. These strips pack a powerful punch made only with the best ingredients free of added dyes, chlorine bleach, 1,4-dioxane, phosphates, and parabens.
When using the laundry strip, dirt molecules and stains are effectively sought out and dislodged so they can be rinsed away easily during the wash cycle, which will assist bleach in getting rid of tough stains. This makes for an easier laundry washing chore that's healthier for you and the environment. With this product, you can expect outstanding cleanliness without any risk of irritation or damage to either yourself or your belongings!
After adding detergent, you must add your bleach. For smaller loads, use less than ¾ cup of bleach and for larger loads, use more than ¾ cup. You can put the bleach directly into the washing machine or a dispenser if one is available. Then set the temperature of the wash cycle to hot, turn on your laundry machine and add your clothes.
Let it run some cycles and when it is finished, check to see if you are satisfied with the bleaching. If not, then run another wash cycle again. Finally, rinse out any remaining detergent and bleach with cold water before drying your clothes.
How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes With Bleach?
It is important to be careful when using different bleaches on various fabrics. While there is no set limit to how often you can use bleach, the wrong combination of bleach and fabric can cause the weakening of fibers or, in the case of white synthetic fabrics, yellowing.
As such, it is important to familiarize yourself with the right type of bleach for each material in order to avoid any damage. When using chlorine bleach, for instance, make sure not to over-bleach as it can strip away the protective outer layer of fabrics and reveal a yellow inner core.
It is also advised not to repeat bleaching processes too often on materials like cotton, ramie, or linen as this can further weaken these fibers.
