- 1). Separate whites from other colors and always wash them separately. Take the time to do this properly and sort through all pieces of clothing. This is the most important thing you can do to keep white cotton bright.
- 2). Select a detergent with enzymes or a bleach alternative and use the maximum amount recommended for a load of laundry.
- 3). Add a booster to your wash. Oxygen cleansers, borax and washing soda help fabrics retain whiteness.
- 4). Soak heavily soiled white fabric in an enzyme or oxygen bleach detergent. After soaking, wash them separately from other whites.
- 5). Pretreat any soiled areas caused by perspiration with liquid detergent or shampoo. Rub detergent into fabric gently and use a clean toothbrush to rub out stain.
- 6). Treat stains as they happen. If you're planning on doing a load of laundry later, be sure to treat the stain immediately when it occurs. Foregoing immediate stain treatment weakens and discolors fabric, according to TheFabricOfOurLives.com.
- 7). Check fabric labels to determine the highest temperature of water you can wash your items in. Wash whites at the hottest temperature the items can tolerate.
- 8). Inspect your whites before putting them in the dryer. Look to see if stains have been removed. If the stain is still there, wash the garment again. If you miss a stain and it is dried, it will become almost impossible to remove.
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