I am always paranoid to use bleach in the laundry?

Question

Because i think it will make holes in the clothes. But I need to get my whites white. How much do you use, do you add it after the washer has filled, and do you add detergent too?

Answer 1

Here is what Linda Cobb author of the book Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean says about using bleach:
"The strongest, fast acting bleach available, chlorine bleach is very effective on cottons, linens and some synthetics when used properly. Used improperly it can weaken cloth fibers causing them to disintegrate. It can even cause holes."
JFYI: I never use more than 1 cup of bleach for an X-tra large load. If it is a particularly dirty load of whites that need to be washed, I will let them sit on the soak cycle first before putting through a regular cycle. Also, follow the instructions on the detergent bottle as to how much to add for the size of load you are doing even when you are adding bleach to a load.

" Also, to make whites brilliantly white, add a drop or two of Mrs. Smith's bluing for extra whiteness into the water & agitate while filling the drum. It can be used with bleach and detergents and really makes the whites pop. It is inexpensive, a bottle lasts years and it is found on the laundry aisle of most drug, discounters and grocery stores.
Pour bleach in to the bleach dispenser, if your washing machine is so equipped, or into the washer while it is filling with water before adding the clothes. Never pour bleach directly on garments. Add bleach to dilute in water before adding detergent. Follow the instructions for how much bleach to use on the bottle according to the size of the load you are bleaching.

Never use chlorine bleach on silk, wool, spandex, acetate, fibers treated with flame resistant chemicals (like children's PJs) or on dry clean only fabrics.

Always be sure to rinse bleach out of fabric throroughly."

Answer 2

Clorox has a new bleach that is less harsh on fabric. Use this one. Never pour bleach over clothes. Add the bleach while you fill the machine with water and then add clothes. A 1/2 cup of bleach is plenty for a full load and add detergent too.

Answer 3

Try a little bit after all the water is in it. You do add detergent as well.

A MUCH BETTER WAY, if you are still paranoid,
Use OXY CLEAN with your laundry soap- it makes the clothes very white, very gently

Answer 4

I prefer OxyClean or its "look-alike", which I've found at the 99 Cent Only Store* under the brand name L.A.'s Totally Awesome. Whites will come out much whiter/brighter without the yellowing that bleach sometime causes. Plus you can use it on colors as well.

*There are many cleaning products there that work just as well as the top name brands at a fraction of the price!