Tips 04/12/2025 22:49

Tips to Restore White Clothes That Have Turned Yellow or Dull

White clothes are elegant but prone to discoloration, often turning a dull or yellowish shade that looks unappealing. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to restore their brightness using household products. Here’s a comprehensive guide.


1. Use Washing Machine Drum Cleaner Tablets

One little-known trick is to use washing machine drum cleaner tablets to clean white clothes. These tablets contain sodium percarbonate, a powerful oxygen-releasing compound that naturally whitens fabrics. They also include additional cleaning agents that help remove dirt and stains.

How to use:

  1. Prepare about 2 liters of warm water at 50–70°C.

  2. Dissolve one drum-cleaner tablet in the water.

  3. Add your white clothes and soak for 1 hour. For larger loads or heavily soiled garments, adjust the water and tablet amount accordingly.

  4. After soaking, wash the clothes as usual.

If you can’t find drum cleaner tablets, you can use oxygen tablets (often sold as aquarium oxygen pellets) as a safe alternative. To boost cleaning power, combine 1 tablespoon of oxygen tablets with 2 tablespoons of baking soda per 2 liters of warm water, soak for 1 hour, then rinse and wash normally.


2. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is naturally acidic, making it an excellent option for removing stains, odors, and dullness from white fabrics.

Method 1: Mix lemon juice with your regular laundry detergent or liquid soap, and wash as usual.

Method 2: Slice 2–3 lemons and place them in a pot of clean water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat and soak the clothes in the hot lemon water for about 1 hour. Once cooled, rinse and wash as normal.

This method not only whitens the fabric but also leaves a fresh, citrusy scent.


3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to disinfect cuts, but it is also effective for whitening clothes.

Method 1: Add hydrogen peroxide to a basin of water and soak white clothes for 15–30 minutes. Then wash as usual.

Method 2: Mix ¼ cup laundry detergent with ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide in 2 liters of warm water. Soak the clothes for 30 minutes, then rinse and wash normally. This combination works especially well for stubborn yellowing or dingy fabric.


4. Bleach

Bleach is a traditional and powerful solution for cleaning white clothes. Commonly, chlorine bleach (Javel) is used to remove stains and yellowing.

Tips for safe use:

  • Wear gloves to protect your skin from harsh chemicals.

  • Use in a well-ventilated area.

  • Always read the instructions carefully before applying.

  • Dilute appropriately to avoid damaging fabrics.

In addition to chlorine bleach, there are other specialized whitening products available in stores that can help brighten whites safely.


Final Tips

  • Always separate white clothes from colored items to avoid color transfer.

  • Pre-soak especially stained areas before regular washing.

  • Avoid prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight while drying, as it can further yellow fabrics.

  • Combine methods (e.g., hydrogen peroxide plus baking soda) for tough stains or long-neglected whites.

With these tips, your white clothes can regain their bright, clean appearance without harsh chemicals or complicated processes.

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