Be patient using these methods; you may need to try more than one or repeat the technique.

They work best on natural fibers, like cotton or linen.

Avoid using these methods on clothes with any color or prints.

Using dishwasher soap to whiten clothes that have yellowed

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Never mix the methods or ingredients from the various techniques.

Or, hold your garment next to a new, never-worn white T-shirt.

Apply Bluing Substance

Bluing liquid or powderis a commercial product commonly sold in the laundry aisle.

Materials needed to whiten clothes that have yellowed

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It adds a trace of blue iron pigment that tricks the human eye into making fabric appear whiter.

The treatment will fade after several washings but can be reapplied.

Color removers are commercial products that strip away residue and dye from whites that can cause yellowing or dullness.

Using baking soda to whiten laundry

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The product is chlorine bleach-free but contains sodium hydrosulfite, a similar bleaching chemical with a sulfur smell.

Bleach With Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxideis an oxidizing agent used as a mild bleaching agent.

Use a fresh bottle of the 3% solution sold in drugstores.

Pouring distilled white vinegar into a measuring cup

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For best results, use hydrogen peroxide as soon as you open it.

Boost Laundry With OxiClean

OxiClean contains sodium percarbonate that transforms into hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water.

It whitens fabrics and other dingy surfaces well and is still color-safe.

Using lemon juice to whiten clothes

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Hang Items in the Sun

The free ultraviolet rays of the sun will brighten white laundry.

Several less harsh methodsbaking soda, white vinegar, borax, and lemon juicecan whiten yellowed clothes.

They require more soaking time but are simple to use.

Using citric acid to whiten clothes that have yellowed

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Bluing adds an iron-based blue pigment that tricks the eye into seeing the white clothes as brighter and whiter.

It fades after several washings but can be reapplied without harming the fabrics.

Using laundry bluing to whiten clothes

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Using color run remover on clothing

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Using hydrogen peroxide in laundry

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Using OxiClean to whiten clothes

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Dissolving dishwasher soap into a measuring cup of warm water

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White clothes line drying in the sun

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