Hi,
My mother bought us some expensive sheets - I don't remember the thread count off hand, but they are white. The tag says not to use chlorine bleach, however, they are looking a little yellowish. How do I get them to look white again? Thanks- J.
For whiter whites WITHOUT bleach try
1) vinegar and hot water setting
2) oxyclean and hot water setting (I'd read the directions carefully with that one if the sheets are expensive)
3) Baking soda
4) The sun, you'll probably have to wait until summer for this one but the sun will "bleach" whites nicely without need for any chemicals at all. Try the other 3 for now though, til summer comes around again:)
K. H
Use dishwasher liquid (Cascade,Palmolive etc...) That should do the trick. I had a washing machine repairman say a nurse washed her scrubs in it because it was the only stuff that got them clean. It does wonders on my son's undies too. :-) You can always use the color safe non-chlorine bleach as well.
Yes, definately don't use bleach. Sometimes, sheets are dyed with white, so bleaching them will take off that nice white color and make them even more yellow, or what I've experienced, more of a see through affect.
When I do whites, I add some oxyclean, and a few splashes of ZOUT into the bleach dispenser. Both of these products are supposed to be non-bleaching, but remove stains back to their original vibrant color.
Hopefully it works for you. Good luck.
Hanging them in the sun is the best "chemical free" option. If you can't do that, try soaking the sheets in BIZ first, then add a little Biz along with your normal detergent to the wash load. I also use Borax in my laundry at times - that's a product that can be used to clean other areas in the house, but I think it's more toxic than you might want. Both Biz and Borax can be found in the laundry products aisle. Both are considered "laundry detergent boosters".
I always wash sheets and bath towels in the hottest water I can. That might help with the yellowing too.
Hi J.,
I use Melaleuca's Mela Brite, a non-chlorine bleach whitener, along with a capful of the Sol-U-Mel (also by Melaleuca). These, along with all of Melaleuca's products, are made with safe and natural ingredients, and they work fantastically!
You can go to Melaleuca.com to check out descriptions on the products and feel free to contact me for any questions or to find out how to become a customer.
Whatever you decide, please know that the suggestion to use cascade or the like, although well intended, those products contain chlorine bleach and really chlorine bleach is never good for you, your family, or the things you eat off of or wear.
I hope that helps.
J.
____@____.com
An old fashioned trick that works is to hang them out in the sun for a day.
oxy clean...works like a dream
Can you try RIT color. They have two products for whites. Make sure it doesn't contain bleech before you buy. They are usually located by the shoe polish at Cub.
I swear by Oxi-Clean. My husband works for a textile company so thanks to them we have super-expensive, high thread-count sheets, and the Oxi-Clean has not hurt them. The vinegar thing works, too--haven't tried it on the sheets but have done it on other fabrics. It's great at removing odors and hard-water build-up.
