White clothes can be a hassle to maintain, they turn yellow or gray over time and are unfortunately prime victims to stains. According to the American Cleaning Institute, the yellowing of white clothes is a result from oils, sweat, detergent, buildup and improper washing. But through the right cleaning methods you can keep your white clothes looking crisp, clean and polished. This is NoScrubs expert guide that explains how to wash whites, how to wash whites with bleach and the best way to wash white clothes using evidence-based methods over our experience in the laundry industry. 

How to wash whites

The process of washing white clothes begins before you even turn on your laundry machine. It is important to sort whites properly.

Sort Whites

 Separate your whites into:

• Fully white clothes
• Cream or off whites
• Delicate whites (lace and silk)
• Light pastels

Each of these categories requires different care and even those light pastels can transfer dye that dulls your whites over time.

Choose the right detergent

It is important to use a high-quality detergent that has optical brighteners, enzymes and surfactants that can remove oils. Most modern detergents contain enzymes that can break down organic molecules effectively. 

Make sure to avoid using excessive amounts of detergent because more soap does not mean more clean. In fact, excess detergent can:

• Leave residual detergent in fibers
• Attract dirt and make your clothes dirtier over time
• Cause graying of fabrics

Choose the right water temperature

For everyday washing use warm water to dissolve oils and cold water for protein stains. Always follow garment care labels. 

Avoid overloading the washer

Clothes need space to circulate in the washing machine and even though you might be trying to stuff all the clothes into one load and get it over with, this prevent proper rinsing. That means your clothes end up holding soil and detergent buildup. 

Dry correctly

Always try to air dry when possible. If that’s not an option then go for dryers. This isn’t recommended though because dryer heat can set stains and accelerate any yellowing caused by oxidation. UV light from sunlight actually naturally bleaches whites, especially cotton which helps whiten your clothes. 

How to wash whites with bleach

Bleach can be effective in returning your white clothes to their previous bright glory but you need to use this tool carefully. 

When to use bleach:

• Heavily stained white cotton
• Sheets and towels
• Mold or mildew stains
• Sanitizing linens
• Sanitizing baby items

If you’re struggling with mildew or mold smell emanating from your white towels, try these steps first instead. 

Do not use bleach for:

• Silk
• Wool
• Leather
• Spandex
• Delicate clothes

Add your clothes into the washing machine with detergent and then pour bleach into the special dispenser or into the drum based on your washing machine.

How to use bleach safely

• Always dilute the bleach properly and check the care label. 
• Only use the recommended amount and err on the side of caution.
• Never mix bleach with any other liquids especially ammonia because this can produce toxic gases. 
• Never pour bleach directly onto clothes, especially wet ones.
• Always test on a small patch of fabric first before trying to bleach an entire load.
• If you’re using bleach to remove a stain, work from outside in and carefully rinse as you go. Check our guide to removing stains before you resort to bleach.

Best way to wash white clothes

If you want the best way to wash white clothes then you’ll need to go a step above simple detergent. These methods will restore brightness and keep your whites white.

Use Oxygen-Based Bleach

Oxygen Bleach releases hydrogen peroxide in water which breaks down organic stains and whitenes clothes without harsh damage like chlorine bleach. It is also generally safe for most whites. Simply dissolve oxygen bleach in warm water and soak your whites for a few hours depending on the stain/yellowing. Oxygen bleach works very slowly so:

• Soak for 1 hour for basic washes or light stains
• Soak for 2-3 hours for moderate brightening and stain removal
• Soak overnight for heavy stains

This is the best way to wash white clothes that have become unfortunately yellowed or dulled.

Remove Sweat Yellowing

Yellowing on white clothes happens because of sweat and body oils that build up over time. Deodorant or antiperspirant residue also play a role in this. Over time, all of these substances bond with the fiber and create stubborn stains. 

The best way to deal with this is to pretreat stains with oxygen bleach or a baking soda paste. Rub it onto the areas or soak the clothes for as long as necessary. Then wash as usual.

Hard Water Issues 

Sometimes the minerals in your water can leave residue on fabric and cause graying. For this, you can choose a solution such as:

• Water softeners
• Laundry boosters made for hard water
• Using less detergent

NoScrubs tips for washing white clothes

• Don’t use too much detergent, this is the biggest factor that most people overlook.
• Pretreat stains and try to airdry as much as possible so that stains don’t set in.
• Do not dry any whites until you’ve removed the stains.
• Never mix whites with slightly colored items (Even cream. Even pastels.)
• Avoid depending on chlorine bleaches because they weaken fibers over time.

We’ll keep your whites white.

Tired of all this laundry? Instead of spending hours every week on washing, drying, treating, folding and more parts of the complicated laundry chain, let NoScrubs handle your laundry. We pick up laundry right from your doorstep and deliver it in as little as 4 hours freshly washed, dried and folded to be put away with no extra pick up/drop off fee. You can explore our pricing plans or create a custom one with our team. We know how to handle clothes with professional laundry experience, just schedule a pick up and leave your whites with us.