Bleaching Whites
Face it. We all love a crisp white t-shirt, which is why it’s a shame when you realize last night’s spaghetti dinner has ruined your favorite shirt. Before you throw it away, make sure you follow the steps below to try and save your clothes. But first, a quick science lesson! Through the process of oxidation, bleach changes the soil into soluble particles to be washed away by detergents in the washing process. Before using bleach on clothes, always double-check the label. Bleach helps keep your whites whiter and brighter, and some bleaches will even disinfect your clothes.
How to Bleach Clothes
- The first time you bleach a piece of clothing, make sure to do a spot test on a hidden spot on the garment, such as the inside of a collar of a shirt to make sure it’s safe.
- Once you know your garment is safe to bleach, soak your item before washing it if it’s heavily soiled. Check your washing machine. Many models have a pre-soak cycle.
- It’s time to add bleach to your wash. If you use an all-fabric or color-safe bleach, you can add it at the start of the cycle. For liquid chlorine bleach, add the specified amount five minutes into your wash cycle through the machine’s detergent dispenser. Waiting five minutes allows the enzymes in your detergent a chance to work. Adding chlorine bleach at the beginning of the cycle kills the detergent’s enzymes before they have an opportunity to work.
- Dry clothes normally.
