If you use white or light-colored bed linen, after several washes you may notice that it has turned yellow or has acquired a grayish tint. This is explained by the composition of the powder, some elements of which interact with salts present in hard water, which leads to fabric staining. In addition, long-term storage, especially in a humid room, as well as long-term contact with dirty things can affect the color. You can use a wide variety of methods to whiten bed linen by returning the linen to it.
It should be noted that in the framework of this article we will talk about cotton and linen bedding, since in other cases, for example, if you need to bleach silk, it is better not to use the presented methods of bleaching – you can irreversibly damage the fabric. For delicate fabrics, it is better to use dry cleaning services. Washing bed linen is described in this article .
Special whitening agents
The easiest option is to buy bleach for bed linen. It can be based on chlorine, oxygen or optical.
Optical means whiten bedding with special light-reflecting substances, thanks to which the desired effect is achieved, although in fact this process is more similar to painting. This method works only on clean linen, that is, dirt and stains should NOT be washed off with such bleach.
Chlorine bleaches are available, they disinfect well, they do their job well, but they damage the fabric very much. Several such procedures will turn your bedding into a sieve, as chlorine can wash white linen, but it will ultimately destroy the structure of fabric fibers. In addition, chlorine-based products cannot be used in a washing machine, so bleaching will have to be done manually, which is very troublesome and unpleasant – chlorine vapors are very caustic and can irritate the skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract.
Oxygen bleaching agents are the most delicate. They are suitable for any fabrics, whiten effectively even at a low water temperature. There are even options capable of washing colored linen, returning its color brightness. Such bleaches are expensive, but the purpose justifies the means.
Folk methods
Folk wisdom is sometimes very useful. Using improvised means, you can easily whiten bed linen. Let’s consider all options in more detail.
Boiling
White cotton and linen can be washed at high temperatures, so boiling is not harmful for them. Boiling is an excellent substitute for aggressive bleaches. In addition, if the laundry smells after washing, when it remained wet for a long time or was stored in a humid place, then boiling will remove the musty aroma of moisture and at the same time whiten the fabric.
- Take a galvanized or enameled vessel (bucket, tank, large pot). Iron and copper containers are not suitable, as in the process of heating the water can oxidize, which will color the bedding.
- Cover the bottom of the vessel with a white cloth, a towel.
- Dissolve the detergent (powder, laundry soap). If there are stains on the bedding, soap them well.
- Place the laundry in the container, straightening it as much as possible. Fill with water. Add 1 tbsp. of ammonia, as washing the sheet will help much better.
- Put on fire. It should boil for 30-60 minutes. Stir periodically with a wooden stick.
The effect of boiling can be enhanced by adding a solution of perchloric lime, but keep in mind that it will help to whiten better, but it will seriously damage the fabric with frequent use. A teaspoon of lime per teaspoon of water must be separated in a non-metal container, stir well, the resulting porridge is poured with a liter of water. The solution is settled until clear, after which it is added to the boiling bed. Stirring constantly, boil it like this for about half an hour.
Since the laundry after washing smells bad from boiling in such products, after that it will be necessary to wash it well in ordinary products with the addition of essential oils (lavender, rose or other favorite aroma). Then hang to dry in a well-ventilated place.
Whiteness
The linen contains chlorine, so it damages the fabric and can only be used when washing by hand.
Prepare water with laundry detergent, add laundry to it at the rate of 1 tbsp. for 3 liters of water. Soak the bedding in this solution for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. If this method did not help to whiten the laundry, then you can combine boiling and laundry.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a safe bleach. It will allow you to wash bed linen without damaging the fabric.
Prepare 10 liters of warm water, in which dilute 5 tbsp. of ammonia and 10 tbsp. baking soda Soak white linen for 3-4 hours. After that, rinse well and wash in the usual way.
If the yellowness of the laundry is due to long-term storage, it may be necessary to soak it several times in a soda solution.
Hydrogen peroxide
Throw the bedding in the washing machine. At this time, prepare a solution of 2 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide (3%) and 1 tbsp. of ammonia per 5 liters of water. This solution should be heated in an enameled dish to 70 degrees, do not allow boiling. After that, soak the washed bedding in it for 30-40 minutes. Then rinse in warm water.