How to Whiten Yellowed White Clothes Without Bleach

You can whiten yellowed white clothes without bleach by soaking or washing them with baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, an oxygen-based whitener or by drying them in sunlight. Most methods take between one hour and six hours of soaking, followed by a normal wash. Always check the care label before you start.

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Oxygen-based whitener
• Hydrogen peroxide (for yellowing)
• Warm water and a basin or your washing machine
• Your usual detergent
• Access to natural sunlight for drying

1. Check the care label on each item before treating it, and keep whites separate from colours and darks.
2. For yellowing caused by body oils, deodorant residue or long storage, mix warm water with one cup of baking soda in a basin.
3. Add two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to that mixture.
4. Soak the yellowed items for four hours.
5. Wash as normal after soaking.
6. For dull, grey whites, soak the items in an oxygen-based whitener for six hours instead, then wash as normal.
7. To use baking soda in the machine, add half a cup directly into the drum rather than the detergent dispenser, then wash on a warm cycle with your regular detergent.
8. To spot treat stains, make a paste of one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of water, spread it on the area and leave it for an hour before washing normally.
9. To use lemon juice, fill a basin with warm water, add half a cup of fresh lemon juice, soak the whites for one to two hours, then wash with your usual detergent.
10. To use white vinegar, add 120 ml to the rinse cycle, or mix a solution of hot water and white vinegar and soak the items for anywhere from one hour to overnight.
11. Dry the items in natural sunlight where possible, as UV rays act as a gentle bleaching agent.

Bleach is not just harsh on fabrics. Chlorine bleach releases toxic fumes, especially when mixed with other cleaners such as ammonia or vinegar, and can irritate lungs, skin and eyes. It can also yellow white clothes over time because it breaks down fabric fibres and reacts with body oils and detergent residues.

Optical brighteners found in many detergents do not clean. They coat clothes with a blueish residue that reflects light to appear white, and they can trigger skin irritation and are toxic to aquatic life.

Yellowing and greying usually come from a mix of causes: detergent residue from using too much detergent or the wrong type, hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium clinging to fibres, body oils and sweat oxidising around collars, cuffs and armpits, damp or humid storage, and waxy build-up from fabric softener.

Some fabrics should not come into contact with oxygen-based bleach, including wool, silk and suede, as it can damage them. Distilled white vinegar can wear out synthetic fibres or cotton, so research what is safe for your material first. Hot water can cause shrinkage in wool, cotton, linen and silk, so be cautious with those fabrics.

Hydrogen peroxide requires more caution than baking soda because it can discolour coloured items. One test found it left its own stain behind on linen, so test on a hidden area first.

Never add dishwasher detergent to your washing machine. It can lead to build-up and risk damaging the washer.

To prevent yellowing returning, wash whites separately from colourful or dark fabrics, use the correct amount of detergent and fabric softener, avoid overloading the machine, and air dry where you can. A whites wash cycle uses high spin speeds and water temperatures of around 140F, but check labels first.

How long do I need to soak yellowed whites? For yellowing, soak in warm water with one cup of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide for four hours, then wash as normal. For dull, grey whites, soak in an oxygen-based whitener for six hours.

Can I use lemon juice to whiten whites? Yes. Fill a basin with warm water, add half a cup of fresh lemon juice, soak for one to two hours, wash with your usual detergent and dry in natural sunlight for extra brightness.

How much white vinegar should I use? Add 120 ml of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, or mix a solution of hot water and white vinegar and soak for one hour to overnight. Avoid using too much, as it can leave residue.

Which fabrics should I avoid treating? Do not use oxygen-based bleach on wool, silk or suede. Be cautious with hot water on wool, cotton, linen and silk, and research whether vinegar is safe for your material before soaking.

Why do my whites keep turning yellow? Common causes include too much detergent or fabric softener, hard water minerals, body oils and sweat, deodorant stains, washing with well water and long-term storage in damp conditions.