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Are you looking for ways to keep your whites looking white? I know I always am! Nothing is worse than dingy whites. Whites should be bright, cheery, refreshing and clean! Nothing goes better with a pair of jeans or running shorts than a bright white top. And who doesn’t love a pair of white pants?
Well if that is you then you are gong to love my tips for keeping your whites looking white!
And if you are looking for more, be sure to hop onto my Instagram page!
❤️ Why You’ll Love My Tips for how to Keep Your Whites Looking White
My family can be hard on their clothes! We are active. And we are busy! With that usually comes the normal wear and tear on white clothing that results in stains and just general dinginess.
You’ll love my tips for keeping whites looking white because my tips are simple, effective, and will keep your clothes bright and fresh with minimal effort.
🧽 Materials for how to Keep Your Whites Looking White
Two of my secrets to success for keeping your whites looking white are below. I would love to share these with you and share a little bit about how they work:
Vinegar: Helps to break down stains, neutralize odors, and soften fabrics.
Borax: Boosts the cleaning power of your detergent and helps to remove stubborn stains and residues.
🧼 How to Do
Wondering about how to keep your whites from turning gray or yellow?
- Avoid Overloading: Don’t overload your washing machine. Proper water circulation helps prevent residues from settling on clothes.
- Use the Right Detergent: Choose a detergent specifically designed for whites or one with optical brighteners.
- Wash in Hot Water: Wash whites in hot water if the fabric allows. Hot water helps to dissolve and remove dirt and stains more effectively.
- Add White Vinegar: Adding ½ cup of white vinegar to the wash can help brighten whites and remove residues.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
These are my general tips and tricks for keeping your whites looking whites:
Test First: If you’re using this recipe for the first time, test it on a small load to ensure it doesn’t affect your fabrics or colors.
Avoid Overuse: While effective, use this booster sparingly to avoid any potential buildup in your washing machine.
🗒 Variations
Sometimes I just need a variation to the vinegar and/or the Borax. I will add 1/2 cup of baking soda to my laundry to brighten whites, neutralize odors, and soften fabrics.
I’ll also add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle to naturally whiten and freshen my clothes.
🗒 Substitutions
In keeping your whites looking white, hydrogen peroxide is another substitution to consider. I use 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide as a bleach alternative. It’s effective in whitening and disinfecting without the harshness of chlorine bleach.
Also, after washing, I’ll hang my white clothes outside to dry in the sun. Sunlight acts as a natural bleaching agent, brightening whites.
🫙 How to Store
I recommend you clean and launder your whites using my tips or however you are most comfortable. But after cleaning and laundering your white laundry, there are some tips to follow for storing that leads to your pieces lasting longer.
Clean Before Storing: Always wash white clothes thoroughly before storing them to remove any dirt, oils, or stains that can cause discoloration over time.
Dry Completely: Ensure clothes are completely dry before storing to prevent mold or mildew growth.
Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper: For speciality garments (like heirlooms), fold garments with acid-free tissue paper between the layers to prevent yellowing and creases.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Choose a storage area that is cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight, which can cause whites to fade.
Avoid Plastic Bags: Store clothing in breathable cotton garment bags or fabric bins instead of plastic, which can trap moisture and lead to yellowing.
Use Cedar Chips or Lavender Sachets: These natural repellents help keep pests away without the risk of staining the fabric.
🤔 Common Questions
Wash white clothes regularly to prevent dirt and oils from accumulating. The more frequently you wash them, the less likely they are to become dingy or discolored.
Turn Inside Out: Turn clothes inside out before washing to reduce friction on the outer surface.
Use Cold Water: Wash in cold water to prevent the fibers from breaking down and fading.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Dry white clothes in a shaded area to prevent yellowing and fabric damage from sunlight.
Use a Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution: Soak the affected items in a solution of ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup white vinegar, and water. Then wash as usual.
Sun Exposure: Drying clothes in the sun can help kill mildew spores and brighten whites.
Keep Your Whites White
Ingredients
- ½ cup vinegar
- ½ cup Borax
Instructions
Prepare Your Washing Machine:
- Make sure your washing machine is empty before you begin.
Add Vinegar and Borax:
- Pour ½ cup of white vinegar directly into the washing machine drum.
- Next, add ½ cup of borax to the drum.
Add Detergent:
- Add your regular laundry detergent as you normally would.
Run the Wash Cycle:
- Set your washing machine to the desired wash cycle and start it. The vinegar and borax will work together to enhance your detergent’s effectiveness, helping to remove stains and odors.
Rinse Thoroughly:
- If your washing machine has a separate rinse cycle, consider running it to ensure that all the vinegar and borax are thoroughly rinsed out.