Thread Number: 82648  /  Tag: Detergents and Additives
Looking for the whitest whites possible.
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Post# 1067583   4/16/2020 at 09:17 (1,442 days old) by Oliger (Indianapolis, Indiana)        

I am looking for advice on how to get gleaming super white clothes. Specifically socks. My socks slowly darken on the bottom side over time. I recently found a place to get phosphates, and it made a small difference, but the discoloration is still there.
I am aware that line-drying makes clothes whiter.
I am looking for suggestions on:
Detergent
Chlorine vs oxygen bleach
Methods of soaking etc.
Anything that will make a difference.





Post# 1067590 , Reply# 1   4/16/2020 at 09:59 (1,442 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Whites

There are numerous factors that will affect how white your clothes are. If your socks are slowly darkening on the bottom it is likely due to dirt not being fully removed, of course. So a strong detergent in hot water is key to remove it. Oxygenated bleach is to bleach any potential stains that remain. One key is rinsing. If not adequate enough, whites will be dingy. Personally, I use Tide powder for a good combo of cleaning and whitening. However, I do highly recommend Tide Ultra Stain Release as well. It 'cleans' better than Tide powder but does not have the whitening effect that the powder does. Of course you can add Oxygenated Bleach to induce that effect. Phosphates are a good additive as well as it will help keep the soils in suspension and boost detergent effects. Soaking is great as long as you are using cool or warm water to allow the enzymes to work on stains that require it. Personally I don't usually have protein, blood, or other stains that require enzymes or warm water, so I generally do not perform soaks. However, other people will have other opinions.

Post# 1067594 , Reply# 2   4/16/2020 at 10:39 (1,442 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)        
Cleaning Whites

chachp's profile picture

 

My routine is based on months of experimenting.  Two issues I had to consider were an allergy/sensitivity to fragrance so I have to be careful there and we have mechanically softened water.

 

We have a F/L washer with the ability to heat the water.

I use Miele Ultra White Powder detergent and OxiClean powder.

 

I set the machine for a PreWash and Sanitize.  I think it heats to about 161 degrees.

 

The PreWash gets a small scoop of OxiClean and about 1/4 scoop of powder detergent

The remainder of the detergent goes in the Detergent dispenser

I don't do any additives in the rinse but I do set for an extra rinse.   Cycle time is about 3 hours.

 

Our whites are screaming white.  We had an issue with the darkness on the white socks and all that is gone.

 

Hope that helps.  You will likely get as many options as you get replies.  I am aware that the Miele white powder does contain oxygen bleach as some will likely remind me, but I will tell you I can tell when I forget the OxiClean.  They just seem to need that extra boost.


Post# 1067600 , Reply# 3   4/16/2020 at 11:14 (1,442 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
The "whites" cycle on my

new Samsung FL is long, but not the hottest temp. Max. bleach line in the dispensor isn't very much, but neither is the water level. It does a great job. Only needs 2 rinses to get most of the bleach scent out. My white loads are usually small. Just socks, dish cloths,and drying towels, and face/hand towels. A few select T shirts or mens briefs. If there is a stain, I pretreat, and use normal cycle with the hottest water temp.

Post# 1067659 , Reply# 4   4/16/2020 at 17:13 (1,442 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Cycles

I should have mentioned, generally I do use the whites cycle for multiple reasons. It uses slightly more water than the normal and heavy duty cycle, has powerful interim spins, more aggressive tumble pattern, and uses tap hot water (~140ºF once the machine is full). Using the sanitize option on this cycle boosts temperature to 155ºF. Of course, stains that are difficult are pretreated.
Another additive I recommend is ammonia. Using 1 cup in the wash makes a big difference. Just be sure to never mix with chlorine bleach.


Post# 1067663 , Reply# 5   4/16/2020 at 17:57 (1,442 days old) by imperial70 (MA USA)        

my routine (and I like to think I have the whites whites, including socks)
Front loader with Extra Hot setting (it heats the water to 140 IIRC)
Tide Powder with bleach.




Post# 1067668 , Reply# 6   4/16/2020 at 19:23 (1,442 days old) by Oliger (Indianapolis, Indiana)        

I probably should have mentioned my washing machine. It is a Maytag 806 - traditional toploading machine.
A few of you have mentioned "Whites cycle" I have no such thing. Although I do use hot wash water.


Post# 1067670 , Reply# 7   4/16/2020 at 19:35 (1,442 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

>> I am looking for suggestions on:
>> ...
>> Anything that will make a difference.


There's a lot of visual trickery in making white colors appear "white" to the human eye.
Many "white" paints, for example, aren't pure white, but instead have a hint of blue in them.

For laundry, do some searches and read up on "bluing" for the old-school technique, and then for something more modern, start researching the "optical brighteners" aka "Fluorescent Whitening Agents" in modern detergents. Not all detergents have them due to environmental concerns. If you have an older washer, your owners manual might even have a section with specific bluing instructions. (Older Maytags did.)


Post# 1067736 , Reply# 8   4/17/2020 at 07:07 (1,441 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
HEY !!!

Where is Laundress ???


Post# 1067786 , Reply# 9   4/17/2020 at 12:28 (1,441 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture

>> Where is Laundress ???

Good call - she would certainly have a good answer to this question.


Post# 1067789 , Reply# 10   4/17/2020 at 12:42 (1,441 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
I hope she's Ok... seems like she hasn't been around for a bit.

Post# 1067797 , Reply# 11   4/17/2020 at 14:53 (1,441 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
For sure!

Laundress posts no name, or locale oter than mountains. Does anyone know her personally? Has she been to any wash in's? Perhaps she is a classified person and inside that mountain in Colorado etc.?

Post# 1067805 , Reply# 12   4/17/2020 at 15:26 (1,441 days old) by imperial70 (MA USA)        

I believe laundress hales from NY city or somewhere near there from some of her references. I hope that person is safe and sound. NY is getting hammered by the virus.

Post# 1067808 , Reply# 13   4/17/2020 at 15:46 (1,441 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

I'm quite certain she lives in NYC, and says her name is Cimberley, or something like that. She's mentioned about being a nurse on some occasions. Hope Launderess is OK.

Post# 1067823 , Reply# 14   4/17/2020 at 17:44 (1,441 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        

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I do hope She is OK, living in NY city and being African American does make me worry a little.

 

John L.


Post# 1067830 , Reply# 15   4/17/2020 at 18:23 (1,441 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

Would it be inappropriate to ask if any member who might have contact information ask if she's ok?

For some reason I mentally picture her living in a Brownstone on Striver's Row (or similar area, perhaps to the east?). Said Brownstone is unrestored because it was always kept up. The original 1890's single pipe steam heating system is still in service.

If I had to guess why I think all this, I'd say from the steam heat thread a few years back.

Or maybe I'm conflating several similar, but unrelated sources of information.





This post was last edited 04/17/2020 at 18:39
Post# 1067834 , Reply# 16   4/17/2020 at 18:53 (1,441 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        
BLUETTE ...

... is still around!

My grand-aunt Phil used "bluing" in her whites. She kept it in a cobalt blue bottle that had a "whiskey pourer" top, like from a bar. I don't remember the larger container the bluing came in. I do remember her saying it was to get her whites really white.

I know some older relatives used Bluette and were happy with it.

Actually, this is a timely topic for me. Work requires I always wear solid colors that contrast with my skin so I have hardly anything white.

However, to reduce my paper towel dependency as much as possible I've bought 100 cleaning rags (like dish rags but a bit thicker) and a few dozen over-sized hand towels, all white. I should see just how white I can get them :-)


CLICK HERE TO GO TO warmsecondrinse's LINK on eBay


Post# 1067909 , Reply# 17   4/18/2020 at 03:42 (1,440 days old) by gorenje (Slovenia)        
Whites whites

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I know that the two type of machines are completely different... but

In a front loader (a standard European profile wash front loader) it is really very easy to have whitest whites if you are washing properly.

I don't have that much whites as others colors, but still have pretty much and I want them to stay white so I am washing them on a long 90°C cycle with a good powder detergent containing 30% of oxygen bleach. I have never ever used chlorine bleach for doing laundry because the high temperature and oxygen bleach does the job without yellowing and damaging the clothes.
(Some people prefer 60°C, but I prefer 90°C)

Whites come out always brilliant.

Another important thing I've noticed for whites is that if you have some very dirty whites (like I do for example for my working uniforms) don't wash them straight ahead with the other whites that aren't so dirty.
I first soak my dirty whites uniforms overnight in a bucket again with a powder detergent and the next day I wash them along with the other whites as described.

Ingemar


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Post# 1067931 , Reply# 18   4/18/2020 at 08:37 (1,440 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Hi Ingemar!

How is everyone over there? Anyone with the virous? I spoke to a gal from Albania who works at the Italian gourmet store we shop at 2 weeks ago. She said she hadn't heard any bad news from home then.

Post# 1067936 , Reply# 19   4/18/2020 at 09:44 (1,440 days old) by gorenje (Slovenia)        

gorenje's profile picture
Hi Mike, hugs

Luckily here in Slovenia the situation is under control and we are good, thank you. Life and work for those who work in supermarkets, drugstores and some other few activities (all the rest is closed) are now different but you get used to it. Well yes, for the moment (already 40 days) it isn't like it was before, but we all hope it will pass.

Our borders with Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary are now closed.

We are a small Country with 2,1 million of inhabitants, with 1317 cases of infection and a total of 70 people has died. (60% were +85 years old, more than 80% were +75 years old)

I hope all you guys are ok, you and your family members. And I hope all will pass soon. Virtual hugs to all


Ingemar


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Post# 1067963 , Reply# 20   4/18/2020 at 15:11 (1,440 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Thank You Ingemar-HUGS too!

We're all fine. Southeast Michigan has been affected third hardest after New Jersey, and New York. Even some supermarket employees have died.

Post# 1068023 , Reply# 21   4/18/2020 at 21:49 (1,440 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Wash-In

Has anyone heard of details for this years Wash-In? I’m very interested in attending.

Post# 1068085 , Reply# 22   4/19/2020 at 06:57 (1,439 days old) by gorenje (Slovenia)        

gorenje's profile picture
Poor people, that is so sad.

Stay safe Mike and stay safe all of you.


Post# 1068225 , Reply# 23   4/19/2020 at 21:48 (1,439 days old) by sarahperdue (Alabama)        
Whites!

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Very timely thread for me. We have white sheets and towels, and most everything comes out OK except the bottom sheets which come out a bit dingy.

I start them in hot (SQ TL) with detergent and a generous scoop or two of oxygen bleach and alternate soaking and agitating sometimes soaking overnight. I don't do this method--overkill--every wash, but periodically. Then usually (in good weather) line dry. I'm still not quite satisfied with the bottom sheets. I know a very long soak in oxygen bleach works on many tough stains.

What I've learned from this thread so far is that I may need to rinse more. Would it be a good idea to add a cup of vinegar to the rinse? What about the ammonia? Should I try an ammonia wash?

And finally, since I'm asking about sheets. I prefer vintage 100% cotton percale sheets. The top sheets keep their original slightly crisp texture longer than the bottom sheets. The bottom sheets get softer and the weave becomes less defined. Anything I can do about that or is that just the way sheets wear?

And I second concerns about Launderess. I am sorry for those who have been hit hard by this virus either by health or economic stability. Those who have lost loved ones have my deepest sympathy.

Sarah


Post# 1068230 , Reply# 24   4/19/2020 at 22:16 (1,439 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        
Re: 21 & 23

#21:

There're no specific plans that I'm aware of as there's no way to know when travel will become advisable. However, there seems to be a general consensus that we'll need at least one once we're past this current crisis.

#23:

The bottom sheets have body weight on them so there's much more physical abrasion sop they'll show wear sooner. Not much to be done about that.

I remember being sort of stuck with the same situation but I don't think it was sheets. I'd wash the 'clean' sheets with a cup of ammonia. I think I used 2 cups but that might've been too strong (expert opinion, please?) and I was just lucky. Anyway, full cycle with just ammonia , no detergent and do an extra rinse. Then do the same but use 2 cups of vinegar instead of ammonia. That should wash out any residual detergent and dirt possibly trapped within. I'd use the hottest water you're comfortable with.

That might do the trick. If not, at least you'll have a more accurate picture of the dinginess.

One thing that has worked when nothing else has is Didi7. I know a lot of people tend to roll their eyes but I've had it work miracles just like in their commercials years ago. If you're dealing with general dinginess and not a specific stain, I'd dissolve the Didi7 FULLY in a cup of hot water and use that in place of detergent. The directions tell how much to use for a TL, I've forgotten what, but that's what I followed.

Hope this helps,

Jim


Post# 1068231 , Reply# 25   4/19/2020 at 22:18 (1,439 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))        
Washing Whites:

whirlykenmore78's profile picture

As we have all white sheets and towels and I insist on white undergarments. (My commercial laundry background) I launder them in the SQ FL as follows.  

Hot Pre-Wash with Tide detergent which ends up warm which is ideal (Skip this with towels only used once and purge hot water line).

 

Hot wash on Whites cycle, Heavy Soil, Hot (140F) water that is very soft (I have an EcoWater system). Tide liquid HE Turbo and Clorox Bleach.

Run all 5 rinses with 2 TBL Mountain Spring Downy in final rinse. 

DO NOT use more FS than this as it will gunk up your machines and waterproof the towels. Always use the maximum number of rinses when using LCB to avoid fabric damage in the dryer. 

 

Launderess:  Are you OK dear lady? We are concerned about you.  I also have a sister in NYC and I am a bit concerned.  

WK78


Post# 1068262 , Reply# 26   4/20/2020 at 04:35 (1,438 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

Tide with bleach powder with extra oxiclean added.  Or this stuff called White Out I buy at walmart.  Run through the extended cycle in the Miele on 190F hot water.  If it don't come out, it WON'T come out!


Post# 1068265 , Reply# 27   4/20/2020 at 05:02 (1,438 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Sarah re white sheets

ozzie908's profile picture
Has your combiner's unit been installed yet? That may get your sheets whiter as it will heat the water won't it? Start on cool and let it heat with a good detergent and it should end your dingy sheet woes... :) It works with ours as we have all white bedding and nothing comes out dingy.

Austin


Post# 1068270 , Reply# 28   4/20/2020 at 05:36 (1,438 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

I have a lot of white T-Shirts with prints and such.

And I have to confess: Those loads are probably my biggest laundry "sin".



Since I wash for my own I work around a bit.

I wash my underwear (socks and underpants), my white T-Shirts and my colored T-Shirts (like only 4-5 a week) in one load.
I don't wear the colored shirts outside, so the bleaching on them dosen't mean much.

I use a long 40C (104F cycle) depending on soil with a prewash.

Items are worn about once, so that works fine.

To ensure some sanitary treatment I use a powdered detergent and add a good scoop of an oxygen additive.



For my white towels I just run a long 60C (140F) with a small dose of detergent (the soiling is verry little usual) and a large dose of oxy additive.

For my bedding I often run a prewash before the 60C cycle due to the kind of soiling.
Then normal dose of detergent and oxy.




Only time I use chlorine bleach is on kitchen towels and cleaning racks or white curtains.





One thing to look for in a detergent is an "optical brightener" aka blueing.

Over here at least I always noticed that hospital whites were less white than householdwhites.
Reason is that their detergents don't contain these additives which are technicly a blueing.

Only with that optical trick you get those "blinding white in the sunlight" results.
That's the same reason well washed whites look glowimg blue under UV light and well washed colors shouldn't.


Post# 1068302 , Reply# 29   4/20/2020 at 13:13 (1,438 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        
Launderess

rp2813's profile picture

I was considering launching a thread to inquire about our beloved Launderess/Cimberlie.

 

I've been fearing the worst, but if he's a nurse, then he likely hasn't had much leisure time.  I hope that's the reason he's been absent as opposed to something much worse.

 

Re: living in the mountains, that person is likely the ever-controversial and uber-paranoid Keven, AKA Panthera.  AFAIK, not a soul here has inquired about his absence, which speaks volumes about the general sentiment.  There is a lather, rinse, repeat aspect to his periodic vanishing acts.


Post# 1068328 , Reply# 30   4/20/2020 at 15:57 (1,438 days old) by sarahperdue (Alabama)        
@ Austin re: combo

sarahperdue's profile picture
Hi Austin,

My combo has not been installed yet, and when it is, it will be in my grandparents' house about two hours from our primary residence. I'm very much looking forward to giving it a work out, but I need white sheets here in our primary residence in Tuscaloosa.

Thanks,
Sarah


Post# 1068338 , Reply# 31   4/20/2020 at 17:18 (1,438 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Could be wrong but reading between the lines I always imagined Launderess might have been a nurse in the past and then might have settled for a collect and bring laundry service. You wouldn`t even need a shop for a mom and pop business model like this.
I`m sure she`s just fine and only taking a little break.
It`s a hard time we`re living in right now and not everybody might find the time or feel like posting here a lot at the moment.


Post# 1068341 , Reply# 32   4/20/2020 at 17:30 (1,438 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

Just to add some laughs...

Nothing beats this product in terms of whitest whites.


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Post# 1068363 , Reply# 33   4/20/2020 at 20:24 (1,438 days old) by sarahperdue (Alabama)        
Better...

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After a hot wash and overnight soak in detergent (liquid scent and dye free store brand) plus 2 scoops of oxygen bleach, full hot cycle with a cup of ammonia and full cycle with a cup of vinegar, the bottom sheet is much better but not perfect--

Perhaps a similar regimen with new sheets will prevent the dinginess altogether.

Here's an example from our clothesline. The top sheet is placed over the bottom and you can see a very white patch on the sheet where I darned it. So, not screaming white but much better.

Thanks for all of the help.

Sarah


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Post# 1068366 , Reply# 34   4/20/2020 at 20:28 (1,438 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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I asked Launderess once if she was a nurse.  She had some nurse's training but it wasn't for her.  So, according to what she said to me, she isn't.

 

Back to the whites....you could always boil them on the stove top with oxiclean or an oxygen bleach enhanced detergent like German Persil pearls.  Sometimes I add some Mrs. Stewart's Bluing to the rinse water (I put it on my white cat too!)


Post# 1068385 , Reply# 35   4/20/2020 at 21:15 (1,438 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I ran across mention somewhere of using an InstaPot for mini boil-washing.


Post# 1068390 , Reply# 36   4/20/2020 at 21:22 (1,438 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

or get a lessiveuse





Post# 1068575 , Reply# 37   4/22/2020 at 03:28 (1,436 days old) by lotsosudz (Sacramento, CA)        
IWASH IN HOT!

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I put them in my LG front load on Sanitary with Persil, chlorine bleach on the sanitary cycle on Extra hot, and let it roll. When I come back, They are blinding white, and smell great.

Post# 1069509 , Reply# 38   4/27/2020 at 07:09 (1,431 days old) by gorenje (Slovenia)        
Before & After - load of dirty whites on 90°C

gorenje's profile picture
Here are the pictures of my last load of whites on sanitary cycle on 90°C.

The 3 pairs of work pants were put on soak overnight in a bucket with the same powder detergent I used for the wash.

After the wash all the nasty dirt came out, even the literally black edges of the pants and the stained knees. All sparkling white.


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Post# 1069534 , Reply# 39   4/27/2020 at 09:51 (1,431 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Instant Pot

I have done this numerous times. I find that washcloths actually come out fairly clean using this method because of the very high temps and oxygenated bleach. I do recommend heating slowly and using an enzyme detergent to try and remove some of the protein stains before roasting them into the fibers.

Post# 1069601 , Reply# 40   4/27/2020 at 19:59 (1,431 days old) by Stan (Napa CA)        
Well Jon

stan's profile picture
After all these suggestions..what else have you tried, and any good results?

Post# 1069622 , Reply# 41   4/27/2020 at 22:26 (1,431 days old) by Oliger (Indianapolis, Indiana)        

I was planning on a follow up. I don't do a lot of whites, so it has taken a while.

Here are a few socks, the whitest I can get them. They are to me noticibly better, though there is much room for improvement.

I used hot water, and poured in a few pans of boiling water while the washer was filling. I soaked in white-brite (as suggested.) During the wash, I used ariel powder with added phosphate, and borax to soften tbe hard water. Then a little bit of liquid bluing. Bluing makes a noticible difference on the white parts, but no difference on the dirt, as I would expect. Bluing seems to be what takes clean white to spectacular white. -A very last step. I also line-dried. Overall marked improvement, but far from perfect. From what I understand, a lot of whitening is cumulative. I am still experementing.

The socks look better in person than in the picture, but I am definitely still open to suggestions


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Post# 1069624 , Reply# 42   4/27/2020 at 23:01 (1,431 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Whiter Socks

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When things like socks get that dirty throw then in a plastic bucket with warm water and a 1/2 cup of LCB for 10 or 15 minutes then wash as usual,  

 

I wear white socks and they get about as dirty as yours and I ALWAYS use LCB in the dispenser of my Calypso,  and they stay very white without using all sorts of additives, soaking or really hot water.

 

John L.


Post# 1069642 , Reply# 43   4/28/2020 at 02:43 (1,431 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

Or start buying the kind of socks with gray soles...that's what I did for Tony and my dad.  Tony's always running in and out to the deck in his sock feet.  The gray soles don't show stains. 


Post# 1069661 , Reply# 44   4/28/2020 at 08:48 (1,430 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Yes, or

get all grey socks. We have a lot, and black, etc. ankle socks for working out, walking, etc.

Post# 1069990 , Reply# 45   4/30/2020 at 01:41 (1,429 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Secret to whitest whites isn't a mystery, but what our grandmothers or great grandmothers knew....

First start the way you mean to finish. It is far easier to keep whites white, rather than attempt to restore what has become grey and dingy.

Simple old school basics:

Never wash in dirty water; heavily soiled whites should be washed separately from those with only moderate to light soiling.

Two or three short washes are better than one long wash. This is true especially for whites and more so if one is not careful about sorting according to soil levels.

If necessary pre-wash or soak badly soiled/stained whites before adding to wash load if there isn't enough for a separate wash.

Over use of chlorine bleach over time actually can make whites grey or yellow. A good modern detergent with advanced oxygen bleaching system coupled with 120F or above water temps should cope with most soils and stains.

Change and launder things often. If a shirt is soiled around the collar after one day, don't just chuck into hamper to sit and marinate for several days (or worse longer), but get it to the wash soon as possible.

Longer perspiration and body oils (along with stains) sit on wash more difficult they are to remove. In case of former those oils become rancid and via a chemical reaction leave yellow marks that can be difficult to shift.

Learn to use detergent properly. Too much without rinsing it all out turns whites grey or yellowish. Too little has same affect because soils aren't kept in suspension and end up back on wash.


Post# 1070178 , Reply# 46   4/30/2020 at 21:09 (1,428 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

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1. what is your water like?  Is it soft, aerated, filtered, iron free, .....essentially perfect water?  If not,  you're bound to have issues.  Iron will turn clothes orange.  Hard water will turn clothes gray and dingy.  Sulfur in water will turn clothes (and hair) green. 

 

2. how are you wearing your whites? 

 

 A.  Are you walking in your socks on dirty floors?  On hard floors that have an oil finish that can transfer to cloth surfaces?  Are you wearing your white socks in shoes that are dirty or have a dark color insole?  Are you walking outside (in shoes) in areas that are dirty or sandy kicking up dirt that gets into the shoes?  It will grind into the socks.  Are you walking on dirty carpet with white socks?

 

B Under clothing: are you letting it dry after using it or throwing it in a heap?  How many times do you wears it?  Are you wearing any kind of clothing that is transfering colors to your whites?  Are you using any type of oils or chemicals that are being soaked up by the garments?

 

C. Bedding and towels:  Again, what are you washing in?  How often do you change your bed sheets?  It should be weekly at most. 

 

3. In general cleaning:  do you soak when necessary?  Do you remove heavy stains when they happen and soak lighter stains? Do you hang dry outside for the sun to naturally bleach?  Do you use baking soda in your wash?   Bleach in the rinse? 

 

4. Are your expectations realistic?  Clothing wears out.  It won't be white forever.  Do you realize that?

 

5. How are the machines you're washing in?  If you have an old style top loader, is it leaking oil into your wash from the transmission?  Are rubber parts decomposing and tainting the water?  Is there a part in the tub that's rusting and discoloring the wash water?  Are you using a gas dryer?  If so, STOP.  Get an electric.  Gas dryers are awful.  They use the same air used for combustion to go directly into the dryer.  What ever impurities are in the gas come in contact with your clothes.  They do discolor your fabrics in addition to giving it an awful smell.  When shopping thrift stores I can always tell items that have been through a gas dryer many times.   

 

In short, perfect white laundry is something you have to EA-A-R-RN. 

You can't just buy it in a bottle like they falsely claim on T.V.  If you're a slob (and I'm not saying anyone here is)  you aren't entitled to the whitest WHITES.  Absolutely NOT.  If you aren't willing or able to position yourself with equipment and good habits, well...... I wish you the best.  But NO, it ain't happenin'.  w3


Post# 1070212 , Reply# 47   5/1/2020 at 00:47 (1,428 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)        

A properly operating Gas dryer will NOT yellow clothes.

Post# 1070227 , Reply# 48   5/1/2020 at 03:42 (1,427 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
"It won't be white forever"

Well, in my house old white garments can still take the test. As a matter of fact my whites get whiter than they usually were when they were new. Never use chlorine bleach, it sanitizes and sort of whitens them, but it's for a reason bluing is so popular in the USA.

And furthermore, listen to Launderess, she knows what she is talking about.


Post# 1070229 , Reply# 49   5/1/2020 at 04:06 (1,427 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
It doesn't matter if it's "properly vented" or not. The venting has nothing to do with the faulty design of a gas dryer.

A gas dryer, in order to be acceptable, should incorporate heat transfer technology just like a gas furnace uses.

Do gas furnaces have an open flame that enters directly into the duct work of a home?
Absolutely not. And why? Because the burning of these gases not only creates soot but the off-gassing contains dangerous chemicals that create Carbon Dioxide that will kill living beings.

Why in hell would one want their clothing exposed to that?

Gas dryer's need to be re-designed so that the heating area has a separate exhaust and the heat transfers to the dryer without contacting the air.

They should just cancel them altogether, imo. Electric is better anyway.

I've handled at least 300 major appliances in my life and gas dryers will always have a sooty smell to them and when you open the drum door (if it's a white or light colored paint) you will see the discoloration. The more use it's had, the worse is.

With an electric dryer, it can be 40 years old and as long as they weren't drying things like blue jeans or other clothing that the dye has come off on the drum, the drum won't have "the stains" or that horrible smell.

When Almond appliances were seen more frequent I've come across almond dryers where the inside of the door is even discolored enough that you could tell the difference between the paint and the gas gunk.

And it's the very same staining that you will find on the access door of a gas water heater or around the burners of a gas stove or oven.
It's disgusting.
From what I've read and seen, it's even worse with propane.


Electric also tends to be a softer heat which is gentler on the clothing helping to retain colors and decrease clothing wear.

Electric dryers are less expensive as well.

So, on your journey to the Whitest Whites, you will not have success using a gas dryer.


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Post# 1070230 , Reply# 50   5/1/2020 at 04:16 (1,427 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
Another thing I forgot to add to the surprisingly long and perhaps impossible list.

This is relating to dryer use. It doesn't matter what source the heat is.

Another issue with dryers is they suck a lot of air and exhaust it OUTSIDE. It would be nice if the intake were also attached to the outside so they wouldn't be using conditioned inside air.

But here's the point: if the air being sucked into your dryer is dirty say from cooking grease, or cigarette smoking, or burning wood or coal for heat, or from a dirt floor musty basement, or who knows what some people get up to. That filthy air will get sucked into the dryer and be around your clothes. It will have an affect on the finish clothing.



Post# 1070231 , Reply# 51   5/1/2020 at 04:16 (1,427 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 1070244 , Reply# 52   5/1/2020 at 06:25 (1,427 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Perhaps

it may be better when we're all "carmel"? LoL

Post# 1070291 , Reply# 53   5/1/2020 at 13:43 (1,427 days old) by sarahperdue (Alabama)        
Launderess!

sarahperdue's profile picture
So great to hear from you!

Thanks for all of the good information... It is quite possible that I don't "deserve" the whitest whites, but I'm working on it :-)

Sarah


Post# 1070304 , Reply# 54   5/1/2020 at 16:31 (1,427 days old) by cycla-fabric (New Jersey (Northern))        

cycla-fabric's profile picture
All I have to say is my dryer is natural gas and almost 20 years old, and its still nice and white inside with no sooty smell to it, and it is used every other day. A gas dryer is cheaper to run than electric one to boot too.

Doug


Post# 1070390 , Reply# 55   5/2/2020 at 00:35 (1,427 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)        

The gas water heater in the pic is Not properly vented!!

Post# 1070404 , Reply# 56   5/2/2020 at 03:38 (1,426 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture

Thought of several more things people.  You're really going to hate me unless you're really serious about clean water and laundry.

 

14.  Know your water delivery.  In other words the water pipes from your water treatment system to your washer, but also from your well or municipal well to your water treatment appliances.  

If your pipes are corroded, can you guess how that's going to affect your fixtures?

 

You can have an excellent water treatment system but if the pipes between it and your washer are disintegrating with iron scale the water will be contaminated by the time it gets to your machine.  right.  So clean plumbing lines mean new plumbing lines preferably of the plastic variety.

 

In 2000 I bought a 1960 house that still had the original pipes that look worse than the picture.  It was really as if the inside was filled with layers of paper.  Now, the previous owners had a softener and they had installed all new bathrooms with copper plumbing, BUT the main lines in the house were by these awful iron plumbing lines....... that I had fun removing with a saws-all and replaced with CPVC.

 

 

15. Make sure your water softener and other water treatment appliances aren't contaminated with bacterial Iron. 

Bacterial iron is as bad as it sounds.  It's very difficult to treat.  It won't filter un-oxidized and it won't be removed in a water softener. It will how ever GROW inside a softener and plug it up.  

So make sure you use an Iron treatment in your softener every 6 months if you know you have iron in your water.

 

Older water softeners may need the resin replaced which you can do yourself but it's kind of a job. What a difference it makes.

 

 

16. Over use of liquid fabric softener.  The stuff creates a waxy substance on your clothing.  Use too much of it and the next time you wash the laundry detergent may not work at all because the softener, which actually does the opposite of detergent, will have no effect.  It does in fact counter-act detergents.  Too much will nullify your detergent.   It will be like washing with no detergent. 

 

When I do use liquid, I never use more than 1/2 teaspoon.  It's too much perfume for me anyway but I do like that Downy smell.

 

 

17.  Don't be afraid to wash twice.  If you have stuff you know is grimy.  Running it through once may not be enough.  Wash once, then wash again.  Same thing with face washing or brushing teeth.  The second time around tends to give more sudsing action and is almost a guarantee of clean.

 

 

18.  Know what your definition of clean is.  Some people think that just running clothes through a washer means they are clean.  DONE.  It doesn't matter if they come out clean.  The machine coming in contact with the laundry was the stamp of cleanliness for them.  No further discussion.

Now , this is a specialty website.  I doubt anyone here is that light in the brain, but one never knows.

I think we all know what clean is and is not. 

 

It ISN'T just making it smell "nice" like the scent in the bottle.  

 

 


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Post# 1070460 , Reply# 57   5/2/2020 at 11:45 (1,426 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Galvanized pipes are the worst - whether for water supply or drain lines! My house (built 1952) originally had copper water lines, but drains were galvanized branches, and cast iron mains. The 2" galvanized would clog frequently as the rust had built up so thick the effective diameter was about 1/2". They also had developed leaks. The cast iron however was still in very good condition. 

 

The plumbing has all been replaced with copper supply lines, and PVC and C.I. drains. Copper has inherent anti bacterial properties, doesn't support combustion, and doesn't produce poisonous gasses in a fire. However, it's not suitable for all types of water. Highly corrosive water will cause it to develop pin holes and leak. In those cases plastic such as PEX is a good choice.

 

Also, the water lines in the street can cause issues. They can get rusty and discolor the water. My street is scheduled to have the mains replaced in the next few years, as part of them are over 100 years old.


Post# 1070498 , Reply# 58   5/2/2020 at 16:56 (1,426 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
Yes Tom

bradfordwhite's profile picture

Definitely.

 

"Also, the water lines in the street can cause issues. They can get rusty and discolor the water."

 

You can have all new plumbing in your home but if your lateral (that's the pipe that goes underground to the street or well)  are bad, or if you have a well and IT is pumping bad water, you will have bad water inside your brand new pipes.

 

I rented a 60+ year old lake home a few years back in mid Minnesota a place which is notorious for hard water, smelly water and water with iron in it.   This home had been completely gutted and remodeled before I moved in...... but they kept the original failing well.  And that water was BAD.  You turn the new water faucet on outside and what came out had literal chunks in it.

 

It stunk, it had bacterial iron in it, and the water softener that was in the house was already plugged with iron bacteria just from sitting 2 years empty. (The seller had it on the market asking WAY too much and decided to rent)

 

Just running the water in the white bathroom sinks left red stains after a few days.  It was bad.  That's how I learned how to deal with iron and bad water.  I was kind of forced to if I wanted a decent shower and laundry.  It was a good lesson.

 

I built my own ventilated aeration tank that let the gasses go out side and it oxygenated the water,  made a filter board, and installed my own new water softner.  

 

That water was perfect, so nice.  But you had to change the prefilter once a week and it was always covered with the worst stuff.  But the "mess"  was all in one place and it was easy to change.  Cheap too.  I've since found back flushing filters that clean themselves.

 


Post# 1070520 , Reply# 59   5/2/2020 at 18:21 (1,426 days old) by Oliger (Indianapolis, Indiana)        

I have very hard water from 100 year old galvanized pipes. My house is completely carpeted in 1970s green shag. It is probably not clean, but I do shampoo it frequently. I do use a gas dryer, although for whites I use a clothesline. My bed sheets are very white since I started using bluing. I never had a problem with them, and I wash them about once a week. I only have trouble with socks. I do wear shoes with dark insoles, and I think that may be part of the issue.

Post# 1070529 , Reply# 60   5/2/2020 at 20:13 (1,426 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
help in a bottle

bradfordwhite's profile picture

 

If your whites have been exposed to iron it's probably going to take something like this to get rid of the orange making them look bad.

 

Iron Out

 

Half a cup in a couple of gallons and let your whites soak for about 10 minutes.  Then wash as usual.

 

Could possibly work on colored fabrics as well but you need to test for them being color fast.   

 


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Post# 1070746 , Reply# 61   5/4/2020 at 04:58 (1,424 days old) by gorenje (Slovenia)        

gorenje's profile picture
I agree completely with "Launderess" and that's exactly what it has to be done from the start and I've been doing always (and not only me)
Golden rules.

I also agree with "foraloysius" ... whites can easily stay white (or even became whiter) even if they are old or if they were very dirty. They simply have to be washed properly.
The evidence is clear from my pictures above. Even black edges of the pants or black socks can turn white.

But I would also say that are whites and whites... some cotton fibers tend to be white easier than others and some whites are from the start some kind of whiter shade than other.


Post# 1070749 , Reply# 62   5/4/2020 at 06:00 (1,424 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Here are my white poloshirts. Some of them are old some of them I bought a few months ago (the ones with the striping on them).

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Post# 1070890 , Reply# 63   5/4/2020 at 21:26 (1,424 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture

I have to admit, I've never tried Bluing.

 

Learn something new every day.


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Post# 1070911 , Reply# 64   5/5/2020 at 01:58 (1,424 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Just for the record, no blueing was used in achieving my white results.

Post# 1070917 , Reply# 65   5/5/2020 at 04:49 (1,423 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Damn Louis

That is a beautiful place, not only to dry laundry!

Post# 1070922 , Reply# 66   5/5/2020 at 06:28 (1,423 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Thank you Henrik, I really enjoy living here.


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