Ran out of bleach?
Brighten your laundry using these alternatives, including some all-natural ingredients.
If they look a little grey or off-white, it may be time to brighten them.
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As with regular bleach, follow the instructions carefully!
These techniques may fade colors, so use them only on white laundry.
Submerge the white fabric into the mixture and allow it to soak overnight, then launder as usual.
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Mix a half cup of lemon juice (from about four lemons) into one gallon of hot water.
Add white laundry to the lemon water and allow it to soak for at least one hour.
you’re able to leave it soaking longer, even overnight, to whiten.
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Then wash as usual.
Let them soak for at least an hour or overnight.
The sodium bicarbonate will help cut through the soil on cotton clothing that leaves them dull.
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Otherwise, you’re just adding plain water to the washer.
It does fade after several washes but can be reused often.
You’ll get the best results on natural fibers, but it will also brighten dingy white polyester.
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Most powdered dishwasher detergents contain sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) that will whiten natural fiber fabrics.
Add a half cup of powdered borax per one gallon of warm water.
Add the white clothes and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes or longer.
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The UV rays not only bleach cloth but also kill many types of germs and help to disinfect fabrics.
Hangwhite bed sheetsor towels in direct sunlight and allow them to dry.
Citric Acid Powder
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Citric acid powder works like lemon juice to naturally whiten fabrics.
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Soak clothes for a minimum of four hours (preferably overnight), and wash as usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
These bleach alternatives shouldn’t be used on colored clothing.
These alternative methods can lighten and remove color from colored laundry.
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If you better remove stains from laundry, look for products that are colorfast.
The most eco-friendly bleach alternative isn’t a product.
Distilled white vinegar, lemons, baking soda, bluing, and sunshine are all non-toxic alternatives to bleach.
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And remember, don’t use these methods on colored clothes.
Here are some possible reasons your white laundry looks dingy:
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