This article provides you with 5 natural ways to whiten your clothes without using harmful chemicals or bleaching agents.
We all have white clothes in our closet that we bought to wear at meetings or during summer days, but over time, they’ve acquired a slightly yellow tinge. If you’re clueless about how to get them sparkling white again, we can help.
#Pre-soak the load with lemons
Fresh or bottled 100 percent real lemon or lime juice has a natural bleaching action on fabrics due to the acetic acid.
If you spill some on colored clothing, you'll want to remove the juice before it causes permanent discoloration. However, you can use either type of juice on white fabrics to help remove yellow underarm stains or rust stains.
#Use the ultimate whitener, the sun
Once you’ve washed your clothes, hang them on a clothesline and let the sun do the drying. Skip the dryer. The sun’s rays will bleach your clothing without the smell and dangers of bleach.
This happens because the sun’s ultraviolet rays break the chemical bonds in the stain, causing the color of the stains to fade away. This is the same action that chemical bleaching agents perform.
#Talc, Cornstarch or Chalk
Talcum powder or baby powder, kitchen cornstarch or plain white chalk are wonderful natural treatments for helping to absorb oily stains. If you catch the oil or grease drip on fabric promptly, they can even remove it!
Simply sprinkle the oily stain liberally with baby powder, talcum powder or cornstarch or rub the area with white chalk. Allow it to sit on the stain for at least ten minutes to absorb the oil; then simply brush away. Later, wash or dry clean the garment following care label directions.
#Table Salt
Plain simple table salt works in the laundry as a mild abrasive element for stain removal of rust and red wine stains and to absorb liquid stains before they set.
If you have a red wine spill, sprinkle it liberally with table salt. Use the cheapest salt you can find. Let it absorb the liquid and then brush away before you wash the item. Remember, if you don't wash it out, salt can leave white stains on your fabric.
If you have stains or residue on the bottom of your iron, salt works well as a gentle abrasive. Simply dampen a handful of salt very slightly and scrub the faceplate of the iron. When the iron is clean, wipe with a clean damp cloth. You're ready to iron.
#Knock out multiple laundry issues with vinegar
Talk about a win-win: In addition to whitening clothes, vinegar is a natural fabric softener. It also cuts that "musty towel" smell that forms with mildew.
To whiten laundry using distilled white vinegar, simply pour 1/4 cup of the liquid to an already-running machine during the last rinse cycle.
