topic Re: Safe whitening agent? in Home

Safe whitening agent?

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 11:36:13 GMT

I don't want to use bleach but need to whiten DH's undergarments.....what do you all use?

Re: Safe whitening agent?

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 11:52:12 GMT

What about Oxyclean or Borax?

Re: Safe whitening agent?

CelticCrafter — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:06:51 GMT

I've found that once whites get to the dingy stage, nothing really helps.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:57:07 GMT

@AngelPuppy1....I did not know borax was a whitening agent...the oxy clean....I swear left little white spots on my clothes. If it was not the oxyclean then I don't know what did the damage.

edited to fix typo

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Mominohio — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:14:00 GMT

I don't have 'the' answer for this but will comment that in my experience having lived different places with very different water, a lot of what works for you will depend on your water's mineral content.

I know for me, bleach really doesn't whiten things, it sometimes makes things worse. We have a lot of iron in our water (as well as other minerals) even with a whole house filter and a water softener.

So you may have to try a lot of things to find out what works best with your particular water situation.

This is going to sound dumb, but back when we lived on a city water system, every once in a while, we'd have to go to the laundromat for several weeks if the washer was broke, before I could afford to get a new one or get it fixed.

I would swear that our whites brightened up after just a couple of washings at the laundromat in the commercial front load washers.

So maybe even trying something like that could help?

Re: Safe whitening agent?

jubilant — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:14:25 GMT

I always used bleach. That's the only thing I know of that worked. Now....DH is buying black and dark grey underwear and I wash them with darks.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

FranandZoe — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:41:46 GMT

I've used Oxiclean for over 11 years. Love it. I soak my whites for a few hours before washing.

They make a product called "White Revive" that you might try.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

wagirl — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 14:15:21 GMT

I don't use bleach for whitening much but for the killing of germs in towels and undies---

Re: Safe whitening agent?

jackthebear — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 14:21:23 GMT

there was a thread about this recently, check it out

bleach is fine to use on clothing

Re: Safe whitening agent?

SilleeMee — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 14:36:05 GMT

Regular bleach is great for 100% synthetics (it tends to yellow them, however) but it is corrosive on natural fibers like cotton, cotton blends and wool blends. I also hate the smell of bleach.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Kachina624 — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 15:56:31 GMT

If possible, hang whites out in the sun. It's the greatest bleaching agent; our grandparents never had problems with dingy laundry because it was all hung outside.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Big Joanie — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 16:10:40 GMT

Oxyclean ....Fill the tub and let them soak ....

Re: Safe whitening agent?

151949 — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 17:22:02 GMT

I think a lot has to do with your water. I use All oxiwash product - gets my whites very nice and white. We do have very soft water here.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 19:44:43 GMT

@151949...our water is soft as well...I guess I will give oxy clean another chance.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

151949 — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 19:58:32 GMT

@wagirl Using bleach on undies ruins the elastics.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

151949 — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 20:00:26 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
If possible, hang whites out in the sun. It's the greatest bleaching agent; our grandparents never had problems with dingy laundry because it was all hung outside.

My grandmother hung her laundry outside and it was always dingy because she used a water saver.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Sooner — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 20:36:33 GMT

Biz. Mix it up into a nice strong solution and let them soak. Repeat if needed. I've let antique linens soak days and they came clean.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

wagirl — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 20:42:54 GMT

haven't had that problem---undies are cheap to replace anyway.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

Mominohio — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:20:45 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
If possible, hang whites out in the sun. It's the greatest bleaching agent; our grandparents never had problems with dingy laundry because it was all hung outside.

Agree! I've had this happen many times too. Whites out on the line in the bright sunshine to get much brighter.

Re: Safe whitening agent?

BirkiLady — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 02:06:40 GMT

@151949 What is a water saver? I honestly have never heard of such a thing.