other than bleach, which i have tried, how do you get whites white that have turned grey?

Answer 1

You might try leaving them out in the sunshine for a few days - I just ruined a swimsuit by doing this very thing. It really bleaches the color, I promise!

Answer 2

Wash in Hot Water, use a little bleach if you don't like bleach try Oxy Clean. That stuff works pretty good. Also I found swimming in a pool with a t-shirt on the chlorine got the shirt bright white. But I would stick to the Oxy Clean. :)

Answer 3

Add baking soda to the wash, too. Soak your whites in bleach for about 30 minutes, if they aren't too delicate, before doing the actual wash cycle. Add baking soda, and even some lemon juice, (1-2 tablespoons) to the wash cycle. Sometimes, if the bleach and baking soda don't seem to work well, I will add shampoo for oily hair to the wash (along with some laundry soap and bleach), because some greys are from oils. Adding 7up or Sprite to the wash will add carbonated bubbles that will trap a lot of dirts and oils. They won't stain and work wonders. It's worked for me, so I wish you luck.

Answer 4

You can also use a produc called "bluing":

Bluing, laundry blue, or washing blue is a household product used to improve the appearance of fabrics, especially white fabrics. Used during laundering, it adds a trace of blue dye (often synthetic ultramarine, sometimes Prussian blue) to the fabric.

White fabrics acquire a slight colour cast after use (usually grey or yellow), because they can never be cleaned perfectly. Adding a trace of blue color to the slightly off-white color of these fabrics makes them appear whiter. Laundry detergents may also use fluorescing agents to similar effect.

On the same principle, blueing is sometimes used by white-haired people in a blue rinse.

Bluing has other miscellaneous household uses, including as an ingredient in rock crystal "gardens" (whereby a porous item is placed in a salt solution, the solution then precipitating out as crystals), and to improve the appearance of swimming-pool water.

Bluing was most popular in the early to mid 20th century. Since then, it has largely been replaced by the use of bleach for its primary purpose.

Bluing is usually sold in liquid form, but may also be a solid. Solid bluing is sometimes used by hoodoo doctors to provide the blue color needed for 'mojo hands' without having to use the toxic compound copper sulphate.

Answer 5

You could try OxiClean or soaking in Biz Bleach. The real trick is keeping them from getting dingy in the first place. Use products like these on a regular basis and have soft water.

Answer 6

A soaking in Oxy Clean will do it. Hot water and Oxy brings back the white.

Answer 7

There is a product by Rid(same as the boxed dyes) that is made specifically for whitening dingy whites, I have used it a couple of times and it is pretty good.

Answer 8

OXY Clean or you can try to hang it out in the radiant sunshine....lots of things get lighter from the sun.......even dark colors.

Answer 9

i was told the very best thing is to boil water, take it off the stove, put the cloths in the water with some lemon. then hang them out in the sunlight to dry.

Answer 10

Oxy clean or soak them in sprite or any other clear carbonated beverage.

Works very well I promise.