How can I get my dingy white laundry back to a bright white?

  14 answers
  • Lisa Lisa on Jun 23, 2017

    mrs Stuart's liquid blueing works like a charm to brighten whites. You can find it at Walmart and some grocery stores.

  • Sue Hall Sue Hall on Jun 23, 2017

    Bleach or Borax

  • Liz Toone Liz Toone on Jun 23, 2017

    Soak the whites overnight in your washer with detergent and Oxyclean. Agitate several times before completing the cycle - just reset the agitation cycle a few times. This should bring back the whiteness.

  • Gai9792341 Gai9792341 on Jun 23, 2017

    Cold water, bleach, Shout . Let soak for at least a day in machine. May have o repeat a few times. I have 30. Year old towels as white as when I got them. Alway us bleach with whites.

  • CJ CJ on Jun 23, 2017

    I use bleach to brighten my whites, so not mix white with clothes that fade...

  • Shi13665433 Shi13665433 on Jun 23, 2017

    I would just soak them in bleach.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 23, 2017

    Do not use bleach,it will make them worse.Try Hydrogen peroxide and your laundry soap.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Jun 23, 2017

    Since the government banned phosphates in laundry and hand soap, this has become an issue with people who like white whites!

    First, the composition of the material ie: cotton vs polyester is a factor in getting things white.

    Secondly - use hot water!

    I use TSP (not the new fake stuff) as that has phosphate in it. It will not harm your clothes. I soak overnight in hot water, using 1/4 to 1/2 cup depending upon how dirty, then wash as usual - in hot water - with my liquid detergent. Then I hang outside in the sunlight. Sun works wonders. I think the dryer sets stains and seems to dull colors.

  • Nancy Eaton McEwen Nancy Eaton McEwen on Jun 23, 2017

    Peroxide helps. Oxyclean woks well too.

  • Lysa Anne MacPhee Lysa Anne MacPhee on Jun 23, 2017

    Thanks to all for your response. I'll give each a try til I get my whites back.

  • Linda Werschky Linda Werschky on Jun 23, 2017

    Cream of Tarter is what our Water Department recommend to use if you did laundry the day they were opening the fire hydrants in the spring.

    You use 1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on the size of your load of laundry.

    Just add it at the beginning and do a normal wash after your water runs clean.

  • Linda Linda on Jun 23, 2017

    Add dishwashing powder, about one half cup. Soak overnight. The same powder for a dishwasher (cascade).

  • Cas11608898 Cas11608898 on Jun 26, 2017

    Hang your laundry in the bright sunshine. Best lightener there is!

  • Ksb12929088 Ksb12929088 on Jun 26, 2017

    i spray with store bought pre-treat & allow to sit overnight. Then wash as normal but add 1 C white vinegar to wash & run cycle on autosoak. If stained in small area, I use a paste of dawn & baking soda & rubbing in, allow to sit overnight & wash as above