How to I brighten my white and colored clothing without using bleach?
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Have you tried anything with Oxy Clean as a booster?
Try using white vinegar and baking soda.
Cloryx 2 is milder...Oxy-clean would be my choice also. Could you use a tiny amount of cloryx bleach but rinse your clothes twice to get the odor out?
Bluing will help with the white clothing read and follow directions. There are stain sticks I have used that didn't trigger any respitory Issues.
Thank you all. I will maybe try Oxy Clean but perhaps the baking soda first. I like non-toxic products whenever possible. I have used Shout for stains, but that's not my problem with "dingy" colored clothes. I have used bleach for whites and towels etc, and rinsed them twice or put them though an entire wash cycle again. I know there's a bleach product for colored clothing, just want to know which works best as I can't afford to buy multiple products until I find one that works and is affordable. Thank you all again! Oh and I remember Bluing as my grandmother and Mom used it. Didn't know it was still around. They used to iron everything too.............. LOL Not me! But I'm not judging those who do iron, go for it!
I use a "free and clear" detergent, vinegar in the fabric softener cup and a couple heaping tablespoons of baking soda in with the detergent. I have used epsom salt too, but it can fade some things. In the dryer, I use "felted wool dryer balls" - works like a charm with no allergic reaction. My sister in law uses a similar process as my brother is allergic to EVERYTHING and has had asthma since he was 6 months old . . . A smell can trigger an attack with him. I know what you are going through. This might help!
I use a "free and clear" detergent, vinegar in the fabric softener cup and a couple heaping tablespoons of baking soda in with the detergent. I have used epsom salt too, but it can fade some things. In the dryer, I use "felted wool dryer balls" - works like a charm with no allergic reaction. My sister in law uses a similar process as my brother is allergic to EVERYTHING and has had asthma since he was 6 months old . . . A smell can trigger an attack with him. I know what you are going through. This might help!
Since phosphates have been taken out of laundry detergent, you will never get your clothes as clean as they used to get. So....use about 1/4 c tri-sodium phosphate in your wash. Those stained white clothes are white again. I couldn't believe my eyes! Works with colored clothes and doesn't fade them either. You can get TSP in the paint department of a big box store.
Vinegar in the last rinse will help remove the last bit of soap. Or run a second rinse.
Vinegar and baking soda!
Use baking soda with your detergent or buy baking soda detergent.
Lemon juice can help lighten whites. Add to the wash cycle.
Baking Soda and Peroxide.
I use 20 mule team laundry borax, and then 1/2 c of white vinegar in the rinse on patients with sensitivities. No complaints yet.
I had forgotten about Borax! Thank you!
GREAT idea! My allergist says I am "globally allergic" lol and I need FOUR shots monthly! Anyway.....Borax contains boric acid. That mixed with the white vinegar creates a chemical reaction that "eats" biologic things such as soap scum, and any other residues that may be making your clothes dingy. I'm going to try that out as I don't use bleach either. I do take my trusty gallon jug of vinegar and merely splash some into the dryer. Takes away all odors. I also wash mostly on cold and hang dry anything that's important/delicate. They last SO much longer that way.