White linen is often considered difficult to care for. Very quickly, white clothes and underwear can become stained, leave a halo and accumulate dirt. In addition, to maintain a bright white of the laundry, it is often necessary to remove caked-on stains before putting it in the washing machine. In this article, we give you 3 homemade tips to whiten clothes without ruining them and without using bleach.
Stains from chocolate, oil, red wine, blood, or mud can get stuck in white laundry and become difficult to remove. To remove stubborn stains and whiten laundry, some use bleach before machine washing. But despite its effectiveness in whitening linen, bleach remains a corrosive and toxic product that poses health and environmental risks. To have white clothes like new, here are 3 natural solutions you should know.
3 tips for bleaching clothes without bleach
To revive the shine of a white garment without using bleach or other chemicals, there are 3 foolproof tips:
- Baking soda
Baking soda is considered a miracle product that can be used in many household ways. This white powder is an incomparable ally for cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining your home. To whiten your laundry, you can use this all-purpose powder. In a basin, mix four gallons of water with a cup of baking soda, then soak your white clothes. Leave on for 1 hour then put them in the washing machine to complete cleaning. Your clothes will turn out whiter than white!
- aspirin
Aspirin is a very effective trick to remove a caked-on stain and traces of sweat that appear on a white garment. Simply dissolve five aspirin tablets in a basin filled with cold water and then soak your clothes in the liquid for 1 hour. Then, put your clothes in the washing machine to make them look new.
- white vinegar
White vinegar is renowned for its disinfecting, whitening, softening, and deodorizing properties. To preserve the softness of your white laundry and revive its shine, you can pour 3 cups of white vinegar into the washing machine before starting the program. Not only will you be able to say goodbye to tough stains, but you can also enjoy clean, sparkling white sheets.
The Risks of Using Bleach
During washing, most find that their white clothes lose their shine and become dull. To brighten them up and revive their whiteness, some people think bleach is an essential product. Composed of sodium hypochlorite and chlorine, bleach is known for its antibacterial, bleaching, and disinfecting properties.
However, this chemical poses significant risks to its users but also to the environment. In fact, improper use of bleach can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes. In addition, a mixture with other cleaning products can release toxic gases and damage the respiratory tract. According to a scientific study, the use of bleach promotes respiratory and otolaryngological infections, especially in children aged 6 to 12 years. In addition, this corrosive product can destroy metals and release gases that are harmful to the environment.