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[Mom2Dogs]

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

[AngelPuppy1]

What about Oxyclean or Borax?  

[CelticCrafter]

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

[Mom2Dogs]

@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

[Mominohio]

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?

[jubilant]

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.

[FranandZoe]

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.  

[wagirl]

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

[jackthebear]

there was a thread about this recently, check it out 

bleach is fine to use on clothing

[SilleeMee]

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.