Restore Your Whites: Expert Tips for Reviving Dull Clothing

Keeping white clothing bright and fresh can be a challenge, especially as fabrics age and accumulate residue. According to Caroline Beuth, co-founder of a laundry service in Naarm/Melbourne, the greying and yellowing of whites can often be attributed to residue buildup from laundry products, sweat, and the dye bleeding from darker fabrics during washing.

Rebecca Van Amber, a senior lecturer at the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University, highlights that dark dyes can leak onto white items when washed together. She explains, “The dye used to create dark colours can be water soluble, meaning there’s probably excess dye that’s going to come out.” This phenomenon can lead to white clothing becoming a “dingy grey colour” if not handled properly.

To maintain the brightness of white garments, Beuth emphasizes the importance of eliminating products that contribute to buildup. She recommends avoiding detergents with fragrances, optical brighteners, and heavy fabric softeners. These additives do not actually clean but instead create a coating that can dull whites over time.

According to consumer advocacy group Choice, optical brighteners merely enhance the appearance of whiteness by absorbing ultraviolet light and re-emitting it as blue light. Furthermore, Choice advises that these brighteners may irritate sensitive skin, making them unsuitable for many users.

Effective Washing Techniques

To combat discolouration, Beuth suggests incorporating an oxygen bleach into laundry loads, especially when using eco-friendly detergents. “Adding a dose of oxygen bleach will help restore brightness,” she notes, particularly for whites. Separating dark and light items is crucial, as washing new black socks with whites can lead to noticeable greying.

Dr. Van Amber is also a strong advocate for this approach. “If you want to keep your white items bright, you need to do a load of just whites or just white and light-coloured items,” she advises. For an extra boost, she recommends soaking cotton and linen whites overnight in water mixed with oxygen bleach powder.

In cases of stubborn stains or larger laundry volumes, Beuth indicates that warm or hot washes may be necessary. However, she stresses that in typical domestic settings, excessive heat is not always required. “Just make sure you’re not overstuffing your machine,” she adds. Dr. Van Amber echoes this sentiment, warning that hot washes consume more energy and can potentially damage clothing. “I would probably be doing more like a warm wash,” she concludes.

Choosing the Right Products

While there are various stain removers available, experts caution against using optical brightening products on delicate fabrics such as silk or wool. Beuth explains, “If your silk or wool item becomes a little bit dingy and discoloured, there’s not a lot you can do.”

Both experts advise caution when using chlorine bleach products, as they can be harsh and may lead to further fabric deterioration. Instead, they recommend safer alternatives such as oxygen bleach, which can be used for spot treatments, soaking, or added directly to the washing load.

By following these expert tips, consumers can effectively restore and maintain the brightness of their white clothing, ensuring they continue to look fresh and new for longer.