Love yourself a crisp white outfit but tired of your whites fading and losing their shine?
Changing the detergent is not a solution. Your white clothes require some extra care and attention, perhaps, some extra steps in the laundry cycle. We’ve listed down ways in which you can preserve your whites.
Preparing for laundry
Before running your whites through laundry, you need to make sure that you follow the wash care instructions. Different fabrics require different wash temperatures and different cleaning methods, as not following the instructions might put the garment at risk of getting damaged.
The next step is to segregate your whites from any coloured cloth including pastels and make sure your washing machine is clean. Whites, especially cotton fabrics, are at a high risk of absorbing bleeding dyes in the wash cycle. If your white clothes have dyed or printed details, wash them in lukewarm water with added salt.
Lastly, pre-treat any stain with vinegar or a mild detergent (as given in the wash care label) and leave it for 10–15 minutes.
Washing
Step one for washing your whites is to pick the appropriate detergent for your clothes. Always choose a mild detergent with a nominal amount of chlorine to avoid discolouration. Contrary to a common myth, more detergent will not make your whites cleaner instead it will form a layer over the fabric allowing dirt to stick to the garment.
Additionally, you might want to skip chlorine and go for a more natural alternative. Chlorine and commercial fabric softeners not only damage your clothes but also affect your health .Replace the chlorine wash with a mild vinegar solution for better results.
Preferably, wash the whites in lukewarm water to lock their shine and eliminate the stains. Note that some fabrics shrink in warm water, furthermore it is best to refer to the wash care instructions.
Another point to keep in mind is to not stack or overload your washing machine. Running an overloaded washer will result in dirt settling onto other clothes. Ideally, run the washer with 2/3rd its capacity and short cycles to avoid abrasion.
Drying
The best trick to keep your whites in their best form is to dry them under sunlight. Sun acts as a natural disinfectant, preventing the white colour from fading or turning yellow.
Considering that not everyone has access to direct sunlight, you can put your whites in the dryer at a low heat setting and air dry them on a drying rack while the clothes are still damp.
Before putting your clothes out to dry, check them individually for any stains as it is hard to get rid of them once your clothes are dry.
Ironing
Always refer to the wash care label of the garment before ironing it. Ideally, iron them at a low to medium temperature with the steam setting as using high heat can scrotch the fabric and leave marks that are difficult to remove.
Storing
It is the most important yet the most neglected step. Not storing your whites properly, is the main reason for the discolouration of the fabric. Never store your white clothes in plastic containers or tubs that do not allow air circulation as it may end up fading your clothes and leaving a musty smell.
Store your out-of-season whites in cotton garment bags to protect them from dust. For the delicates, use an acid- free tissue paper and silica gel packets for storage to avoid moisture.
Taking proper care measures for your white clothes goes a long way in keeping them fresh and lasting longer. If you struggle in keeping up with all the given steps, it is advisable to send your favourite whites for dry cleaning every once in a while. Also, note that before following any of the above tips, it is essential to carefully read and follow the instructions given on the wash care label as well as the product instructions.
