10 Ways to Keep Your Bed Linen Whiter Than White
Keep your sheets fabulously fresh, week after week, month after month
There are few things that can give you a better night’s sleep than slipping between clean, crisp white sheets, resting your head on a snowy fresh-smelling pillow. Yet, your pearly white paradise can fall short of expectations when your sheets have seen brighter, whiter days. Sweat, oils, creams, improper storage and the wrong types of detergent are just some of the reasons that white linens can lose their colour and sheen. If you’re worried about maintaining your whites, turn to these magic fixes.
2. Treat stains instantly
Don’t let stains sit for too long. The longer you leave them, the more likely they are to stay. Mop them up right away with a sponge dipped in warm water and liquid detergent. Then, blot any residual spots with a cool, damp cloth. Better still, toss your bedding into the washing machine or give it a thorough hand-wash.
Don’t let stains sit for too long. The longer you leave them, the more likely they are to stay. Mop them up right away with a sponge dipped in warm water and liquid detergent. Then, blot any residual spots with a cool, damp cloth. Better still, toss your bedding into the washing machine or give it a thorough hand-wash.
3. Launder your sheets weekly
Set a laundry schedule, and follow it. Sweat, dirt, fluids and oils tend to stick to the threads of linen. Left lying unwashed, they can yellow your sheets over time. Do your linen laundry every week; if you can’t manage that, the longest it should wait is every other week.
Set a laundry schedule, and follow it. Sweat, dirt, fluids and oils tend to stick to the threads of linen. Left lying unwashed, they can yellow your sheets over time. Do your linen laundry every week; if you can’t manage that, the longest it should wait is every other week.
4. Go easy with detergent
It’s easy to think that the more the detergent, the cleaner the clothes. However, using too much detergent can leave a layer of dirt-attracting residue on your linens, causing them to discolour. So, when it comes to detergent, add just the right amount.
It’s easy to think that the more the detergent, the cleaner the clothes. However, using too much detergent can leave a layer of dirt-attracting residue on your linens, causing them to discolour. So, when it comes to detergent, add just the right amount.
6. Cure your laundry headache
With an aspirin, what else? Pre-soak your dirty whites in hot water tempered with five aspirin tablets. The solution is an effective stain magnet and can leave you with super-white sparklers.
With an aspirin, what else? Pre-soak your dirty whites in hot water tempered with five aspirin tablets. The solution is an effective stain magnet and can leave you with super-white sparklers.
7. Try lemon juice
No, not as a drink. Add about a quarter cup of juice to your detergent. The potent citric acid will work wonders in fighting stubborn stains during your wash.
No, not as a drink. Add about a quarter cup of juice to your detergent. The potent citric acid will work wonders in fighting stubborn stains during your wash.
8. Sprinkle some baking soda and vinegar…
Baking soda and vinegar both hold natural whitening properties. Mix about half a cup of baking soda with your detergent before starting your wash cycle. Then, add half a cup of vinegar before your rinse cycle. You needn’t worry about any odours from the soda or vinegar lingering on your linens; the smell will wash right out by the time your sheets are ready to come out.
Tip: For extra power-packed whiteness, pre-soak your linens in warm water infused with half a cup of vinegar. Let them sit for an hour before washing them out as usual.
Find out how baking soda can be a wonder cure for stains and spills
Baking soda and vinegar both hold natural whitening properties. Mix about half a cup of baking soda with your detergent before starting your wash cycle. Then, add half a cup of vinegar before your rinse cycle. You needn’t worry about any odours from the soda or vinegar lingering on your linens; the smell will wash right out by the time your sheets are ready to come out.
Tip: For extra power-packed whiteness, pre-soak your linens in warm water infused with half a cup of vinegar. Let them sit for an hour before washing them out as usual.
Find out how baking soda can be a wonder cure for stains and spills
9. …Or use some good ol’ table salt
Mix in two tablespoons of salt with your detergent. The chloride in the salt will brighten your sheets and help them last longer.
Mix in two tablespoons of salt with your detergent. The chloride in the salt will brighten your sheets and help them last longer.
10. Use a whitening booster
There are several whitening agents available in the market. Slip some in every few washings for extra-white impact. Make sure to scan the ingredients on the package to check the composition of the product. A booster with oxygen bleach is more versatile than one with chlorine bleach, suitable for use on a variety of fabrics. Plus, oxygen bleach is easier on your clothes and more environmentally friendly.
There are several whitening agents available in the market. Slip some in every few washings for extra-white impact. Make sure to scan the ingredients on the package to check the composition of the product. A booster with oxygen bleach is more versatile than one with chlorine bleach, suitable for use on a variety of fabrics. Plus, oxygen bleach is easier on your clothes and more environmentally friendly.
11. Sun-dry your linens
Sunlight and white go together. This is because sunlight is a natural bleaching agent and also holds anti-bacterial properties. Hang your whites to dry in your balcony, garden or terrace, to catch as much sun as possible. During the monsoons, indoor or mild tumble drying could be your second best option.
Read more:
10 Ways to a Beautiful White Bedroom
How to Look After Your Bed Linen
Tell us:
Know any linen-whitening tips that we’ve missed out? Tell us in Comments below.
Sunlight and white go together. This is because sunlight is a natural bleaching agent and also holds anti-bacterial properties. Hang your whites to dry in your balcony, garden or terrace, to catch as much sun as possible. During the monsoons, indoor or mild tumble drying could be your second best option.
Read more:
10 Ways to a Beautiful White Bedroom
How to Look After Your Bed Linen
Tell us:
Know any linen-whitening tips that we’ve missed out? Tell us in Comments below.
Wash your whites and your colours in separate cycles – unless you want surprise rainbow-tinted whites, that is.