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Can White Laundry Items be Revived?

Here’s the problem, your white clothes have lost their shine and you don't know how to revive them? Not only is it frustrating when your favourite white clothes lose their lustre, but it can also be tough to know how to bring the brightness back, right?

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Can White Laundry Items be Revived?

We understand the frustration of fading and yellowing whites. So, we are here to help! Read this guide to learn how to wash white clothes in order to actually bring back their whiteness. We’ll show you how to make white clothes whiter again in no time at all.

Why Do White Clothes Go Yellow?

Wondering why your white clothes have gone yellow? Let’s take a look at some of the common, albeit, annoying reasons why this happens after repeated washes.

  • Washing white clothes with other colours contributes to the white clothes losing their brightness. Fabrics tend to fade quicker and there is a good chance the other colours will bleed into the white clothing discolouring the fabric.

  • Not washing your clothes according to the care label can also contribute to the items yellowing. It is important to follow the instructions to care for your clothes and prolong their life.

  • Washing clothes too frequently can also cause them to look dull and tired. Only wash your garments when you absolutely have to.

  • Using low-quality washing products can also discolour clothes. Surf Hand Washing Powder is a great powder detergent choice for hand washing and is suitable for different fabrics and clothing.

4 Steps to Revive White Clothes

Wondering how to revive white clothes? We’ve created a list of four steps to follow that will give you everything you need to know about how to make white clothes bright again.

#1 - Use a Whitening Solution

A whitening solution that gives great results every time is hydrogen peroxide. It can either be poured directly onto the stain before washing the garment or added to the water before you add in a load of washing.

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Be aware that hydrogen peroxide is not the same as bleach. Although both are chemicals, bleach is much stronger than hydrogen peroxide and can damage the fabric of your garments. Make sure you take care when using either of these as they are chemicals and need to be handled with care.

#2 - Use A Whitening Laundry Detergent

To help revive your white fabrics and keep them white and bright for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to use a good-quality laundry product. At Cleanipedia, we highly recommend Surf Hand Washing Powders because they are formulated with super-whitening granules which will help revive your yellowed clothes and bring them back to life.

#3 - Use Baking Soda

Did you know that baking soda has more functions in your home than baking soda? Adding ½ cup of baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) to your regular laundry powder is also a great way to revive your faded and dull white clothes. It helps to deodorise fabrics too, giving them a softer feel and it, of course, assists with the main purpose of whitening your clothes. For better results we recommend that you add Surf Washing Powder to this hack.

How to Keep White Clothes Whiter For Longer?

Keeping your white clothes whiter for longer is easy. Here are our top tips to keep in mind when washing your white clothing to get the best results:

  • Separate your white clothes from your dark colours.

  • Always follow the instructions on the care label on your garment – they are there for a reason.

  • Don’t overwash your clothes. Only wash garments like dresses, shirts, shorts, and pants when they are very dirty. Underwear and socks need to be washed daily though.

  • Use a good quality product with whitening technology. This will go a long way in helping keep your whites whiter for longer.

How to Remove Coloured Stains From Your White Clothes?

Any of the methods above will help with removing stains from your white clothing. For tough stains, make sure you pre-soak the clothes before washing them in the machine. Always use cold water for removing stains and dirt. For a little bit more detail, read our blog Top Stain Removers For Your Laundry now.

Reviving white laundry items is simple and can be done using store-bought detergents or products you might have in your grocery cupboard at home. Find the option that gives you the best results for reviving your whites and keeping them bright.

For more laundry tips and tricks, visit Cleanipedia now.

FAQs

What causes white clothes to yellow or grey over time?

Mixing colours, frequent washing, not following the label instructions or using low quality products are all contributing factors to clothes going yellow or grey over time.

Can white clothes be whitened again after they have yellowed?

Hand washing detergent can effectively remove stains and dirt from white clothes that have yellowed. There are several methods to whiten yellowed white clothes, including using bleach, lemon juice, and sunlight, and a combination of baking soda and vinegar. However, hand washing with a specialised detergent designed for delicate fabrics can be a gentle and effective way to clean and whiten yellowed white clothes while also preserving their quality and extending their lifespan.

Are there any natural methods for reviving white clothes?

There are many natural methods that can be used. Baking soda and vinegar both work for whitening clothes.

Are there any special laundry detergents that are effective in reviving white clothes?

Surf handwashing powders are formulated with whitening technology that are very effective in reviving white clothes.

Is it okay to machine wash and hand wash clothes?

Always read the care label on your garments to see what is recommended. A combination of both hand washing and then finishing off in a machine wash is good for removing tough, stubborn stains.

Originally published