Over time, white towels can become dingy or stained, losing their bright appearance and fluffy texture.

Fortunately, there are several effective methods to maintain their brightness and softness.

Here’s how to keep towels white with four effective methods.

Stack of fluffy white towels on top of washing machine

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Touse baking soda, add half a cup of it to your regular laundry detergent during the wash cycle.

Baking soda helps to neutralize odors, break down grime, and enhance the effectiveness of your detergent.

It also has a gentle abrasive quality that can help lift stains without damaging the fabric.

Using baking soda to keep white towels white

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

For best results, wash your towels in hot water, which helps the baking soda work more effectively.

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It works by releasing oxygen when dissolved in water, which helps to lift stains and brighten whites.

Using oxygen bleach to keep towels white

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Combine it with your regular detergent for a powerful cleaning boost.

To use vinegar, add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine.

This will help remove any leftover detergent and odors, leaving your towels soft and fresh.

Using distilled white vinegar to keep towels white

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

This process involvessoaking towelsin a mixture of borax, laundry detergent, and washing soda to remove built-up residues.

Bleach can effectively whiten towels but may cause wear and tear over time.

Vinegar is a gentler alternative that helps maintain the softness and brightness of your towels without causing damage.

Using towel stripping to keep towels white

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

For regular maintenance, vinegar is usually a better choice.

White towels in a dryer

Photo by Aitor Diago / Getty Images

hydrogen peroxide bottle next to a stack of towels

The Spruce / Candace Madonna

Stack of fluffy white towels on washing machine

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly