10 tips to combat the yellowing of white garments
All of us have white clothes in our wardrobes, and we would like them to always remain as white as when they were purchased. Although you can try to keep them brilliantly white, inevitably, with the passage of time and multiple washes, they run the risk of yellowing.
How many times has it happened to you that you put on a white shirt, dress or pair of trousers and notice a yellow spot? This yellowing is remediable. There are some tips that allow you to prevent yellowing and return the garments to looking like new again.
via Torinotoday
Storage of the garments:
One of the most frequent mistakes made, which inevitably lead to yellowing of clothes, is incorrect storage. The secret is to keep these garments in cool and dry places, and to make sure that there os no mold present. Also, the best way to store these clothes is to insert acid-free paper between the garments to avoid contamination of colors.
Separate white clothes from colored ones:
A golden rule for washing clothes in the washing machine is to separate whites from colors. When washing, you must make sure that there is only one color of clothes (whites) in the drum, otherwise you risk dyes running.
Wash the garments frequently:
A common misconception is that washing white clothes often leads to their degradation. Following this logic, there are those who wear their white clothes many times before putting them in a washing machine. This is completely false!
The secret is to wash white garments every time you wear them, even if there is no noticeable dirt. Body oils and sweat risk yellowing the fabric and make it more difficult to remove these stains.
The pre-soak:
Another technique to prevent or eradicate yellowing is to soak the garments in water and a whitener before washing. This makes it easier to remove the stains.
Wash with water at high temperatures:
After pre-soaking, the clothes must be thoroughly rinsed, only once this is done can they be washed. The water temperature, at this point, becomes fundamental. The recommendation is to set the highest temperature that the fabric can withstand (so, it is important to read the clothing care label carefully).
Hang your clothes to dry in a sunny place:
One of the most common mistakes is believing that the sun causes yellowing. This is not true!
The action of ultraviolet rays helps to whiten and make clothes brighter. For this reason, it is always best to place the drying rack in a sunny place.
Salt and lemon:
Amongst the remedies are simple solutions that at times might seem obvious, and also will ensure exceptional results. There are, in fact, some products that help with whitening. Salt and lemon are alternative whiteners that are very effective in fighting yellowing. The abrasive power of the salt and the whitening power of the lemon help to eliminate yellowing (when rubbed onto the stains).
Marseille soap:
One of the secrets to whitening clothes in a few moments is using Marseille soap. This is often considered the best method because it can be used in both machine and hand washes.
Baking soda:
Finally, the old-fashioned remedy that never fails is using baking soda. Just place a measuring cup in the washing machine's drum and set a high temperature. When the wash is finished, the clothes will be as white as they were when purchased.
Which of these methods do you use?
