How to Care for White Clothing

On laundry day, there’re special considerations when you need to whiten T-shirts or care for other types of white clothing. Here’re some important points to keep in mind.

• White clothes should be washed separately from colored clothes. Failing to do so can cause colors to bleed and stain white clothing, especially if the colored clothing is new and has never been washed before. 
• In most cases, you’ll want to use the hottest water setting that is recommended for the type of fabric. This will help loosen dirt and tough stains. 
• Use a heavy-duty detergent, but check the clothing labels to be sure it’s not too abrasive for the fabric. 
• Use bleach when needed if the fabric can tolerate it. However, overuse of chemical bleach can cause clothes to yellow. As an altenrative to bleach, you can also use baking soda, borax, vinegar or a commercial laundry whitener (sometimes referred to as a clothes whitener or shirt whitener).
• Overdrying clothes, or drying them on a temperature that is too hot for the fabric, can discolor them. Always use the right temperature setting on your dryer. 
• Cleaning the washing machine bin every three months or so (with normal use) will clear away any residue that can cause white clothes to yellow over time.

Stains on all clothing, especially white clothing, are much easier to remove if you pretreat them before tossing them in the washer. In fact, if you don’t pretreat heavy stains, there’s a chance that hot water may lock them into the fabric, making them even more challenging to remedy later. 

The correct method for pretreating a stain will depend on the substance. For oily stains, try wetting the fabric and applying a small amount of dish soap. For enzymatic stains, such as blood or grass, pretreat the area using a small amount of laundry detergent. After applying soap or detergent, you can either rub the fabric together using your hands or use a clean, soft-bristle toothbrush to loosen dirt and grime. After the stain has been pretreated, wash the clothing article using the appropriate wash cycle for the fabric. Use bleach as necessary.

One of the best things you can do to make sure your white clothing stays bright is to store it properly. Never store dirty clothes as this can allow stains to set and permanently discolor the fabric. Always wash clothes and make sure they’re completely dry before you stow them away. 

Also, be sure to store clothes in a way that will prevent mold and protect against dust and moths. While storing clothes in plastic bags will keep away dust, it also restricts the air flow, which can cause the fabric to mold or yellow. Instead, store your white clothes in fabric garment bags or other fabric clothing storage containers at the change of each season. This will protect them from grime but allow them to breathe. 

The correct method for fixing tears or snags on white clothes will ultimately depend on the fabric type. Some fabrics must be stitched by hand or sewing machine, while others can be patched using an iron-on fabric repair kit. Check the tag on clothing to see if repair instructions are provided by the manufacturer to help determine which technique is best.  

Here are some commonly asked questions related to keeping white clothing looking new.

In many cases, it’s best to wash white clothes in hot water to help loosen tough stains and brighten the fabric. However, before starting the washing machine, always check the tag on clothing to make sure using hot water won’t shrink or damage the fabric.

Typically, the best way to wash white clothing is in a separate load of only whites using a detergent recommended for the fabric type. Use hot water unless the care tag suggests otherwise.

If your washing machine has a separate compartment for bleach, carefully add the recommended amount then select the appropriate wash cycle. If your machine doesn’t have a bleach compartment, select the heavy-duty wash cycle with an extra rinse and start the machine. Once the bin is half full of water, carefully add the bleach along with the detergent. Never pour bleach directly on top of clothing, and make sure you don’t overcrowd the machine so the bleach can be distributed evenly by the agitation.

The best way to keep white clothes bright is to wash them in hot water using the appropriate wash cycle for the type of fabric. You can also add bleach or white vinegar to the load, or use a detergent with a brightening enzyme to remove grime that can darken clothing over time.