Even lightly colored clothes (like beiges and pastel colors) can bleed into your whites. Make sure to separate these clothes from your whites, too. [3] X Expert Source Susan StockerCleaning Guru Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
Fabric type will also determine what laundry setting your clothes should be washed on. Wash your sturdy fabrics on Quick Wash or Heavy Duty if they’re heavily soiled and wash your delicate fabrics on Delicates or Hand Wash. Sorting your fabrics this way allows you to wash your clothes at the hottest temperature they can tolerate without being damaged.
For example, if a white shirt is caked with mud after spending an afternoon gardening, separate that particular shirt from cleaner, brighter-looking whites.
The amount of detergent you should use depends on load size and on the strength level of your detergent brand. At the same time, don’t use too little detergent to wash your clothes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions as closely as possible to get the best possible clean for your white clothes. If you want to wash your clothes with vinegar in addition to detergent, only add the vinegar during the rinse cycle after the detergent is out. Otherwise, your clothes will end up oily. [8] X Expert Source Susan StockerCleaning Guru Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
Do this as soon as possible after staining the piece of clothing for best results. Don’t use hot water on stains– it may actually cause them to set, which will ruin your white clothes.
Make adjustments to water temperature as needed based on care labels to prevent clothes from shrinking or becoming misshapen. For instance, clothing made from nylon, spandex, lycra, and certain cotton blends may shrink in hot water.
These ingredients also make whites whiter without the added risks of toxicity and skin irritation.
The agent is typically removed during the rinse cycle, so you don’t have to worry about it after you add it to the wash.
For example, if you’re washing a small load of delicate whites, set the machine to “small load” and “delicate” settings.
After you’ve washed your clothes, dry them as your normally would. The bleach will not affect what you have to do to them afterwards.
