How do I get ex-white shirts white?

Closed Thread
  1. #1

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    6,181

    How do I get ex-white shirts white?

    I noticed that some of my white (with print) cotton t-shirt are now more like ivory.

    Is there a trick to get them back to white AND keep the print?


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    4,574

    you can get bleach which claims to also protect colours
    with these things I find it's always a bit hit and miss


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    5,044

    You can try using Vanish Napisan.


  4. #4

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    HK
    Posts
    1,781

    If it was due to hanging clothes outside or in the sun, then not much you can do. If it was due to normal washing then try the bleach route.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    South of Sweden
    Posts
    4,028

    Since most ,if not all washing machines in Hong Kong only use cold water, I suggest, if you have a bathtub or large bucket, fill it with extremely hot or boiling water and soak shirts in it along with a medium to large bottle of white vinegar with one packet of bicarbonate overnight. Then wash in warm water - best to dissolve a good cup of Nappisan soaker, NOT bleach as this will turn them yellow - in boiling or extremely hot water, add shirts and wash. If your washing machine is outside, then the water may be warm, but add after drum has filled with extra hot water.

    When I lived in the UAE, I could never get cold water. In Hong Kong, I can't get hot water.....


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Yuen Long
    Posts
    69

    Use a peroxide based laundry detergent such as Vanish.

    Sunshine also bleaches naturally.

    Not all types of fabrics can fight the corrosiveness of bleach but it certainly bleaches things white really fast and works quite strong.

    Separate whites from colors in normal wash cycles.

    Lemon juice +and sunshine works but it's used for spot stain removals. If you have lemon to spare, its feasible. Otherwise lemons are expensive at the moment.

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