White bedsheets can begin to look grey and dull over time, but there’s one 35p ingredient that can bring back their white shine in no time – and it’s not bleach or baking soda
Move over bleach, there’s a cheaper way to get your whites sparkling again.
If you have white bedsheets, then you’ll know that after a while they can begin to look grey and dull, no matter how thoroughly you wash them. You might think that the only way to restore the white shine to the sheets is to soak them in expensive bleach or stain removal products, but it turns out there’s a cheaper method – and it costs just 35p.
According to a cleaning expert, using bleach in every wash can end up damaging your bedding and make it more likely to rip. Instead, you should add one cup of a common kitchen ingredient to your wash – white vinegar.
Elizabeth Shields, operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville, warned: “Using bleach every time when washing is not always good. Yes, yellowish linens are a bit of an eyesore, but grabbing bleach every time you wash them can weaken their fibres. This makes the fabric susceptible to wear and tear, leading to gradual deterioration.”
The cleaning guru told The Express that you should try putting a cup of white vinegar in your wash alongside your detergent. This should help to brighten your white sheets without damaging the delicate fibres, and it’s much cheaper than bleach too. A bottle of white vinegar from Tesco will set you back just 35p.
“Instead of using bleach, try using a cup of white vinegar along with your detergent,” Elizabeth said, “It’ll help to brighten and soften the sheets without the need for harsh chemicals.”
White vinegar has natural whitening properties and is an effective fabric softener, so it should keep your bedding nice and soft while also bringing back its natural white gleam. Once your washing cycle has finished, your sheets can be placed in a tumble dryer on a low heat setting, or put out on the line to dry if the weather permits.
Elizabeth explained drying bedsheets outside will help whiten them further, and will also give them a “natural fresh scent”.
If you notice that your sheets still look dull even after being washed and dried correctly, it could be that you “missed removing pilling”, according to Elizabeth. She shared that pilling occurs when loose fabric fibres get tangled and form small balls or clusters on the surface of the fabric. These pills trap dirt, dust, and other particles and can make sheets appear duller than they should be.
To combat this, use a fabric shaver or lint roller before you place your sheets in the wash. Elizabeth said it’s a “small step that can make a big difference” in preventing it from getting worse during the washing and drying process.
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