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A fresh white shirt or a well-fitted white tee is a timeless wardrobe staple—and there are ways to brighten these laundry items without relying on bleach. If your whites are looking dull or slightly grey, it's time to restore their brightness. Whether you don't have any chlorine bleach available or simply want to avoid chemicals, these bleach alternatives will help revive your laundry.
Most of these natural substitutes work best on materials like cotton and linen and should be applied only to plain white garments to prevent fading. Just like regular bleach, be sure to follow the guidelines! If you'd rather steer clear of commercial products altogether, some tried-and-true methods for brightening laundry only require common household items like lemons and white vinegar.
1. Distilled White Vinegar
Getty Images/Michelle Lee PhotographyMix one cup of distilled white vinegar with one gallon of hot water. Soak the white fabric in this solution overnight, then wash as usual. Adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing either white or colorful clothing helps eliminate detergent buildup, which can cause clothes to look dull.
2. Lemons
Getty Images/Marie KazaliaThe citric acid in lemons has natural bleaching properties, making them effective for whitening fabrics like cotton, linen, and polyester. Combine half a cup of lemon juice (from about four lemons) with one gallon of hot water. Soak the white laundry in this lemon water for at least one hour, or even longer, such as overnight, to achieve a whiter appearance. Then wash as usual.
3. Baking Soda
Getty Images/new look castingDissolve one cup of baking soda into one gallon of boiling water, then remove from the heat and add the dull white garments. Let them soak for at least an hour or even overnight. The sodium bicarbonate will work to break down soil on cotton clothes that causes them to look lackluster. Wash as usual.
If you have yellow stains from sweat on your shirt's armpits, make a paste using equal parts baking soda, lemon juice, and water to naturally remove them. Apply the paste, gently scrub with a toothbrush or small brush, then let it sit for 30 minutes before washing as usual.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Getty Images/RHJHydrogen peroxide is safe for all washable fabrics and acts as a gentle form of oxygen bleach. Use the 3 percent solution typically found in drugstores for first aid, and add one cup to your washing machine's bleach compartment. Since hydrogen peroxide degrades quickly, ensure it's fresh (it should bubble when poured into a cup). Otherwise, you’ll just be adding water to your laundry.
5. Bluing
mrsstewart.comBluing is an old-fashioned product available in both powdered and liquid forms. It contains a small amount of blue iron pigment that helps fabrics appear whiter to the naked eye. You can add bluing to either the wash or rinse cycle, but it’s important to dilute it and carefully follow the instructions. While it fades after several washes, it can be reused multiple times.
6. Color Remover
ritdye.comColor removers, popular among textile artists, are chlorine-free and contain sodium hydrosulfite to eliminate dye from fabrics. They are safe for cotton, linen, silk, wool, rayon, ramie, and synthetic materials. While the best results are seen on natural fibers, these products can also help refresh dull white polyester.
7. Dishwasher Detergent
Getty Images/Jonathan KitchenIf you don’t have chlorine bleach available or lack space for a large container of it, try this alternative. Many powdered dishwasher detergents contain sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach), which can help whiten natural fiber fabrics.
Dissolve one-fourth to one-half cup of the detergent powder into one gallon of hot water. Ensure the powder is fully dissolved, then submerge the dingy white clothes into the solution and let them soak for at least 30 minutes before washing them as usual.
8. Borax
Getty Images/Janine LamontagneBorax is a naturally occurring mineral and an excellent alternative to chlorine bleach. It helps lift stains and break down dulling residue. Mix half a cup of powdered borax into one gallon of warm water, then add your white clothes and let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or longer if needed. Wash as usual.
9. Sunshine
Getty Images/Roman StudioThe sun's ultraviolet rays may cause colorful fabrics to fade, but they work wonders to brighten white laundry. These UV rays not only bleach clothes but also disinfect by killing various germs. Hang white bed sheets or towels outside in direct sunlight to dry and get them brightened naturally.
10. Citric Acid Powder
Getty ImagesCitric acid powder functions similarly to lemon juice, naturally whitening fabrics. It uses the same whitening action as lemon juice but in a more concentrated form. Plus, it lasts longer since it doesn't spoil as quickly as lemon juice.
To whiten your clothes, mix three tablespoons of citric acid with a gallon of hot water in a large enough container for your laundry. Let the clothes soak for at least four hours (overnight is ideal) before washing as usual.
Common Inquiries
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Can bleach substitutes be applied to colored garments?
These bleach substitutes should be avoided on colored clothes, as they could lighten or strip the color. If you need to tackle stains, look for products designed to be color-safe.
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Which bleach alternative is the most environmentally friendly?
The most eco-conscious bleach alternative is natural sunlight. It's free and easily available, with UV rays helping to brighten white garments. Everyday household items like baking soda, lemon juice, and distilled white vinegar also serve as green alternatives to bleach.
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What bleach alternatives are safe and non-toxic?
Non-toxic alternatives to bleach include distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, bluing, and sunshine. Before using any of these methods on your entire garment, it's best to test them on a small area. Remember to avoid using these on colored fabrics.
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Why do my white clothes appear yellowish?
It's common for clothes to lose some of their brightness over time, but there are some lesser-known reasons why your whites may look dull. Some potential causes include:
- Color bleeding from other fabrics, particularly when washing everything together
- Residue left by detergent and fabric softener
- Environmental factors such as air pollution or nicotine
- Body oils and stains from food or beverages
