How to bleach yellowed laundry?
Over time, even the brightest white linens can start to yellow : traces of perspiration, humidity, repeated washing... All these factors can dull white sheets, towels, or shirts. Don't panic, there's no need to resort to harsh chemicals to restore them to their original shine.
Discover our simple and natural tips for effectively bleaching your yellowed laundry and prolonging its whiteness, while respecting your textiles and the environment.
Why does laundry lose its whiteness?
Even with careful care of your laundry, whites can sometimes become dull or yellow. Perspiration and sebum are often responsible for yellow stains, especially under the arms or on the collar of shirts. Humidity or storage in a poorly ventilated area can also cause this yellowing. Poorly rinsed detergent residue and limescale in the water dull the fibers over time. Finally, the natural aging of textiles (cotton, linen, synthetics) eventually alters their original shine.
The best natural tips for bleaching your laundry
No need for harsh chemicals: a few simple, natural ingredients are all you need to restore shine and whiteness to your textiles.
- Baking soda: added to laundry detergent or soaked in water, baking soda restores shine to laundry and neutralizes odors.
- Sodium percarbonate : in contact with hot water, percarbonate releases active oxygen which effectively bleaches textiles.
- Marseille soap : ideal for removing yellow stains, Marseille soap cleans deeply without damaging the fibers.
- White vinegar or lemon: A glass of white vinegar or lemon juice added to the wash cycle helps dissolve limescale and brighten whites.
Our essentials for bleaching and caring for your laundry
How to use these tips properly on a daily basis?
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Soaking before washing
To restore the shine to yellowed laundry, pre-soaking is very effective. In a basin of lukewarm water (40°C), dilute 2 to 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate or percarbonate. Completely immerse the laundry and leave it to work for 2 to 6 hours depending on its condition, then run a standard cycle in the washing machine.
- The right washing temperature
Cotton: 40 to 60°C, ideal for sheets and towels.
Linen: 30 to 40°C to preserve the fibers.
Synthetics: 30 to 40°C to avoid deformation.
* A long cycle promotes deep action and better rinsing, especially for yellowed laundry.
- Maintaining whiteness on a daily basis
To prevent your laundry from fading, use a homemade detergent made with soap flakes and baking soda. [Discover our homemade detergent recipe]
Prolong the whiteness of your laundry
Hanging your laundry out in the sun is the most ecological and economical solution: the light acts as a natural bleach , much more respectful of the fibers than a tumble dryer, which is often energy-intensive and less durable. And with our unbreakable stainless steel clothes pegs , your textiles stay securely attached, even in strong winds.
Our unbreakable clothes pegsThe Andrée Jardin blog
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How to bleach yellowed laundry? Simple and natural tips
Over time, even the brightest white linen can end up yellowing: traces of perspiration, humidity, repeated washing... Discover our simple and natural tips.