A laundry expert has urged people to use lemon juice, table salt, and white vinegar as natural alternatives to harsh chemical whiteners for washing clothes. These common kitchen ingredients are inexpensive and effective at brightening white fabrics.
Salt as a Whitening Agent
Deyan Dimitrov, a laundry expert from Laundryheap, recommends soaking dull white clothes in cold water with five tablespoons of salt for at least an hour. The salt helps break down dirt buildup that causes fading. For stubborn stains, mix salt with water to form a paste, apply it to the stained area, and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing normally. Salt costs as little as 2p per tablespoon and can be used alongside other natural remedies.
Lemon Juice for Brightening
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which has mild bleaching properties that remove yellow and grey tones from white clothes without damaging the fabric. Add half a cup of lemon juice to a regular wash cycle for a brightening boost and a fresh scent. For tougher stains, mix lemon juice with water in a 1:2 ratio, soak the garment for 10 minutes, then wash with a bio detergent.
White Vinegar as a Natural Bleach
Distilled white vinegar is a cost-effective alternative to chemical bleaches, costing around 35p per bottle. Mix 250ml of white vinegar with 3 litres of water and soak whites to strip residue, eliminate bacteria, and remove musty odours. For targeted stain removal, combine 180g of baking soda with 100ml of vinegar to create a fizzing paste, apply it to stains, then rinse thoroughly before machine washing. Note that vinegar can damage rubber seals over time, so rinse well.
Sunlight Drying
The simplest and free method is to hang white clothes in direct sunlight after washing. The sun's UV rays act as a natural bleaching agent, providing extra whitening without any cost. This works best on sunny days and is most effective when combined with the other solutions.
