Bleach is quite harsh on clothing, so what do you do if you want to whiten an article of clothing without harsh chemicals? Here’s a simple, do it yourself whitener that works like a charm . . .
This tip is particularly helpful to remove dingy yellowing or graying of fabric and lace articles. You might be wondering what causes graying to begin with, it can actually be caused by a number of factors, the hardness of your water, the minerals in the water, too much detergent- which causes a buildup in the fabric threads. Using the wrong type of detergent can cause the soil deposits that have been removed to Redeposit themselves into the fabric, rather than being flushed away during the rinsing process.
Incorrectly sorting clothing can also cause a dingy grey like appearance. This is due to various colors bleeding together and staining the fabrics. Avoid overcrowding the machine, as this to can prevent the detergent from reaching every surface of the article, be sure to learn the capacity of your machine and use it correctly. Not only will this extend the life of your clothing, keep your clothes brighter and cleaner, but it will also extend the life of your washing machine.
You’ll Need:
3 Tbs cream of tartar
3 c. Warm or Hot water
Combine the ingredients, stirring until well dissolved. Add clothing you wish to lighten (panties, bras, lace, doilies, etc), allow it to soak for about an hour, then Launder as usual. Have a larger item, double, triple or quadruple the recipe as needed.
Cream of tartar can be purchased in bulk at natural/whole food stores, as well as online at Amazon.
Other Tips for Whiter Whites:
- Use 1/2 cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide per Quart of water, and soak whites overnight.
- Use nature to your advantage by hanging whites in the sunshine, naturally bleaching them and of course, imparting the fresh scent of nature. (No Bleach needed!)
- Combine 1/2 c. Borax, 1/4 c. hydrogen peroxide and the normal dosage of your favorite laundry detergent per load of clothing. This works well to brighten clothes and remove dingy overtones.
- To restore the natural brightness of your whites, add 1 cup of vinegar to a large stockpot filled halfway with water. Bring it to a boil, remove from heat, add the garments you wish to brighten, letting them soak overnight. Launder as you normally would.
See Also:
DIY Laundry Detergents, Stain Removers, Bleach Alternatives and More
©Canstock Photo: cunaplus
is there a reccomended soak time if you are simply maintaining whiteness? i’m going to try 20 minutes in warm enough water that it will be tepid when i go to launder them.