Wash whites in hot water between 90 and 130F for the best results.

Using lower washer water temperatures is beneficial because they can save on utility costs and keep colors bright.

Most stains will respond to spot treatment with anenzyme-based stain removerapplied about 15 minutes before washing.

setting the water temperature

The Spruce / Michele Lee

This gives the stain remover time to begin breaking apart the stain molecules so they can be washed away.

Anoverloaded washerwon’t produce the cleanest or whitest white clothes.

Mix enough to completely cover the clothes or linens.

White towel placed inside washing machine

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Allow the dingy whites to soak for at least four hours or overnight.

Drain the solution and wash as usual.

you might repeat this step if needed.

Dirty laundry clothes separated by color

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Just follow package directions.

How to Keep White Clothes White and Bright

Treating the stain with stain remover solvent

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

loading the washer

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Enzyme-based detergent added to washer for laundering cat urine odor

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Oxygen-based bleach powder in glass container and plastic scooper in front of laundry

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

person adding vinegar to the washer compartment

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

submerging the fabric in an oxygen bleach solution

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida