Keeping whites white can prove challenging given they’re prone to turning discoloured, yellow and stained — stubbornly so. Whilst there are many tricks used to restore brightness to whites, one expert has revealed a “straightforward” and “budget-friendly” remedy costing merely 69p.
Better still, this solution is likely already sitting in your kitchen cupboard. Thomas Bird, textiles specialist and proprietor of Fabric Online, explained: “Lemon juice is a natural and affordable solution to making your whites even whiter. Lemons contain citric acid, a natural bleaching agent that effectively breaks down even the toughest stains.
“Unlike chemical whiteners, such as bleach, it lifts stains from your clothes without the risk of damage, making it the perfect alternative for brightening your whites.”
Beyond its cleaning and stain-busting capabilities, lemon juice can also leave garments smelling wonderfully fresh, so it banishes any unpleasant odours at the same time.
Whilst it “works wonders” on whites, it shouldn’t be used on coloured fabrics due to its bleaching effect.
How to brighten whites with lemon juice
To harness lemon juice for its brightening effect, begin by extracting juice from three lemons into a glass, yielding roughly half a cup.
Pour the lemon juice straight into your washing machine alongside your usual laundry detergent.
Programme your washing machine to its standard cycle and allow the “magic” to unfold.
The expert added: “After the wash, let your clothes dry as usual, and watch the noticeable difference as they dry.”
Where possible and weather permits, hang laundry outdoors for an extra brightening effect.
