How do you keep your whites BLindingly white?

Question

do I have to beach them at every washing? Or are there really great laundry detergents I should use? Or should it be bleach with detergent?

Answer 1

Bleach with detergent will eventually cause the fabric to deteriorate if overused. So will the old method of bleaching white fabrics in the sun. Both will work, but at the expense of fabric durability.

If you can find something called "bluing" (one brand name is "Mrs. Stewart's Bluing"), it will keep your whites beautifully white. It also doesn't damage the fabric.

Answer 2

Don't switch detergents: Only use one detergent in your laundry. Others are right that over time, bleach will turn your clothing yellow.

When I first married, I used to purchase any detergent I found on special at the market. Then I learned from the agricultural extension center located near my office, switching detergents cause the laundry to grey. It has something to do with the chemicals in the different soaps counteracting.

Answer 3

I never take my whites to the beach; however, I do bleach them every wash. I use Tide, adding bleach after a few minutes washing so enzymes can work. To get them really white use a bit of bluing in the final rinse water. Never dry your dress shirts in the dryer. Line dry and iron while damp. I wear sunglasses when I iron my whites. They sparkle.

Additional hint: wear antiperspirant, it prevents those unsightly pit stains.

Answer 4

the best for whites and not too detiriorate the fabric is 20 mule Borax and hot water or Cascade dishwasher powder. Keeps them white and bright. If you use the Borax add your regular detergent with the Cascade you do not need to add detergent.

Answer 5

If you are speaking of the same nursing uniforms you ask about starching, The way ladies use to keep their nursing uniforms so white and brite was to hang them in the sun all day to dry...The sun is the best way to keep whites soooo white.
You can use Oxiclean, but I would not use clorine bleach, it will over time yellow them....
To answer both of your question I would hang them in the sun to dry, then use a crisp heavy stach when pressing them ...

Good Luck.