Bedding is something that needs to be washed regularly. However, even when it is washed bed sheets can look a little dull or stains often fail to shift.
Ordinarily, detergent can clean white sheets pretty well, but you’ll need an extra kick to clean bad staining or yellowing.
Contrary to popular belief and practice, however, “bleach is not the answer”, claimed the bedding experts at Ecosa.
They explained: “Bleach contains chlorine, and chlorine bleach reacts to protein stains such as sweat, body oils, and more, creating yellow stains no matter how much you launder your sheets.”
So, instead of a cup of bleach, you can try some of these other alternatives.
White vinegar
White vinegar is a common cooking ingredient that acts as a “natural stain remover” and “fabric softener”.
The experts recommend using half a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water. Pre-soak for an hour then wash with your regular detergent.
Households can add some essential oils in the washer too to get rid of that strong vinegar smell.
Lemon juice
This other kitchen ingredient is actually a “natural whitener”, and it’s the citric acid in it that can “easily remove mild stains and yellowing on your sheets”. As a plus, you get a refreshing, zesty scent on your sheets.
Now, there are two ways to use lemon juice for your stained sheets. One is by simply squeezing a lemon directly into your washer, and then wash with detergent.
The other way is to mix half a cup of lemon juice with a gallon of hot water and pre-soak your sheets for at least an hour or overnight.
The following day, wash them like you normally would. This should “clean and whiten” your sheets thoroughly.
Lemons are cheap to pick up from supermarkets. Express.co.uk found that a pack of five retails for 81p at Sainsbury’s. This works out as 16p per lemon.
Baking soda
For those who wish for neutral-smelling sheets, baking soda might be the way to go.
It’s another ingredient you already have at home that “whitens and neutralises bad odours”.
Just add half a cup of baking soda when you wash your sheets, and like lemon juice, it shall “whiten your sheets easily”.
