ADVERTISEMENT
Lemon Juice: Freshness from Nature and Whiteness
Lemon juice is a kitchen necessity that doubles as a natural bleach to whiten white clothes. Citric acid found in lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent, removing stains on surfaces made of fabric and brightening fabrics. You can use lemon juice by putting half a cup into your washing machine’s detergent compartment with your regular detergent. Moreover, the laundry will acquire fresh citrus aroma thereby making your
clothes smell clean again.
See next page
Sunlight: A Natural Brightener
Harnessing sunshine is one of the oldest and best methods of whitening and brightening garments naturally. Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that help bleach fabrics naturally. After cleaning your white attires, hang them outside in direct sunlight to dry off. The light of the sun will then act as an effective bleach for any leftover stains or odours on your suit, giving it a fresh and well laundered appearance. However, you should be careful not to soak them for too long in the sun since excessive exposure leads to color fade over time.
Percarbonate: a Safe Bleach Substitute
Sodium percarbonate, commonly known as Percarbonate, is a solid substance that when mixed with water releases hydrogen peroxide. It is a very strong but environmentally friendly substitute for chlorine bleach in the whitening of clothes. Mix one to two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate in warm water and soak your white clothes before washing them normally. This will enable you to clear stains and brighten fabrics without using chlorine bleach which is harmful.
Maintaining Whites – A Few Tips:
Separating whites: To retain their brightness and avoid color transfer, wash white garments separately from those colored.
Stain Pretreatment: For stubborn stains, pre-treat with a natural stain remover like baking soda paste or vinegar plus water solution prior to washing.
Don’t Overload: When it comes to filling the washing machine properly do not overload as it may make them dull soiled instead of clean. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions on load size.
Detergent Choice: Opt for either an all-purpose detergent that contains optical brighteners or one explicitly marked for “whites” to improve the whiteness effect noticeably.
Maintaining your Routine Cleanliness: Regularly clean your washer as this prevents mineral buildup and soap scum which can impact the cleanliness and brightness of clothing.
Incorporate these natural techniques into your laundry practice to achieve clean, white clothes that are friendly to the environment and fabrics. If you prefer baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, sun or percarbonate, these natural options will help in maintaining a whiter and brighter fabric while promoting a healthier home space.
ADVERTISEMENT
