White laundry – Source: spm
Washing white clothes is no small feat. It takes a bit of patience and skill not to alter their delicate whiteness. Unlike black or colored clothes, these pieces require special care. ” Start with the most obvious phase: the removal of visible stains via a pre-soak, before washing the clothes in the washing machine“, advises Rebecca Wright, product technician at Marks & Spencer. ” Although it may seem logical, not everyone thinks about it systematically (…). If you don’t treat them first, stubborn stains won’t go away easily. It is therefore important to assess which type it is. For example, if you neglect serious stains like those from wine or coffee, your clothes may be permanently stained! “, she warns. How to effectively remove these stubborn stains? Soak your white pieces in a basin with lukewarm water and white vinegar. Leave on for a while for the dirt to dissipate and then machine wash as usual.
Advice : the expert also recommends turning white laundry and white bedding before installing them in the drum of the machine. Granted, this rule generally applies to washing dark-colored clothes to prevent fading, but it’s also a good way to protect white fabric, preserving its shine for longer. As a bonus, washing the returned garments allows you to clean the dirtiest areas first.
Read also: The trick to cleaning a mattress: eliminate stains, dust mites and bad odors
To more easily combat stubborn stains embedded in white clothes, there is no need to spend too much on chemicals that risk damaging delicate fabrics. There are two natural and ecological products, widely appreciated by our grandmothers, which have a strong stain-removing and especially whitening potential. You won’t be able to do without them!
The expert therefore advises attacking the stains first with vinegar before applying the laundry detergent directly to the dirt. The technique is very simple: soak the stained white clothes in a solution of lukewarm water and white vinegar. Then you can run a machine wash cycle. But beware, it is always wiser to reduce the amount of detergent. ” Whether you prefer powder or liquid, you must bet on the right product and above all the right dosage to keep your clothes clean and in perfect condition (…). Putting too much detergent in the washing machine, in any form, can actually have a negative impact on laundry, as it leaves residue that can lead to discoloration of clothes. “, she explained.
-
With baking soda
A star in the household world, this product is considered one of the most popular and effective natural whitening agents. This powder is therefore ideal for removing all kinds of stubborn stains on clothes. You can say goodbye to rust, urine or blood stains. You’ll also get rid of the ugly, hard-to-remove yellow marks that appear on pillows, tablecloths and white pieces. Note that when combined with white vinegar, the power of baking soda is even doubled. Cleanliness and shine guaranteed!
Here are the steps to apply baking soda on the yellow spots:
- Moisten the part where the yellow spot is.
- Apply the baking soda directly to the stain.
- Rub it with a brush and let it act for about 30 minutes.
- Then start a machine wash with your usual detergent.
Red wine stain – Source: spm
When we taste a good red wine, we all take the risk of staining our clothes, the sofa or the carpet. We bet this has happened to you more than once! You never know what is the most effective method to remedy it? Don’t worry, red wine stains aren’t that hard to clean, especially if you tackle them as quickly as possible. Your saviour: hydrogen peroxide. It is the ideal remedy to eradicate the slightest trace of wine.
Read also: One product is enough to remove ink stains from clothes and you have it at home
Here’s how to untie your garment:
- Mix equal parts of liquid detergent and hydrogen peroxide.
- Put some directly on the stain and let it absorb this remedy.
- After a few seconds you will notice the wine begin to dissipate.
- Once the stain has fully absorbed the mixture, wash the garment as usual.
N.B : This tip always works best on white or light colored clothes, as hydrogen peroxide tends to wash out colors.
After pre-soaking, do you notice that some white parts still reveal some annoying and unsightly yellow halos? Do not panic ! There is an option, natural and not harmful, to leave your white clothes without the slightest yellowish trace. In addition to acting as a softener, white vinegar is the ally you need. Add a cup of vinegar (in the fabric softener compartment) and machine wash. Then let the clothes dry in the sun. You will notice that the yellowish tint will no longer be relevant.
Read also: Get rid of all stains from clothes with a kitchen ingredient to make them look like new again