Laundry Tips for White Clothes
There’s nothing like a smart white shirt to set you up for the day – or fresh white bedding to snuggle under while you sleep.
They’re two of life’s small pleasures, and we all need a few of those.
But what if your whites are no longer white, but a dirty-looking yellow or grey?
Our simple guide shows how to keep white laundry white for years to come.
1. Sort your laundry pile
Separate white laundry from coloured items, then check care labels to see what’s safe to go in the washing machine.
Delicate white items are likely to be hand wash only and need soaking for longer. Those that are machine washable will usually need a gentler cycle and the protection of a mesh laundry bag.
2. Wash white laundry more often
White clothing worn next to the skin absorbs oils such as sweat so should be washed after every wear.
White jumpers or jackets will stay pristine for longer, but white bedding and towels should be washed every week.
3. Wash white laundry hotter
Whether hand washing or in the washing machine, wash white laundry at the warmest temperature recommended for the fabric.
However, fabrics such as wool and silk are only safe in cooler water, whatever the colour.
And stains like blood and red wine can get set in by a hotter wash, even after pre-treating. Play it safe first with a cooler wash.
4. Use a laundry detergent with optical brighteners
Optical brighteners are chemicals that are added to laundry detergents to keep white clothes, bedding and towels looking clean.
But make sure you use a different laundry detergent for coloured washing to avoid it getting faded and dull.
If you have hard water, add more detergent to each wash. This is because the minerals in hard water affect the detergent’s cleaning power, discolouring white laundry over time.
5. Pre-treat stains on white laundry
Check the fabric care and stain guidelines first, then spot treat any stains with an oxygen-based stain remover just before washing.
More widely discoloured white clothes or bedding may need pre-soaking – check the stain product instructions first.
6. Don’t overload your washing machine
Cramming your washing machine full stops the water and detergent doing its job as they can’t move freely around the drum.
Avoid overloading by choosing the right kg capacity washing machine for your needs. A larger 10kg capacity washing machine is ideal if you’re managing laundry for a large family thanks to its bigger drum.
Or if you’re a smaller household, the Beko BM1WU3741W 7kg 1400 Spin Washing Machine with Hand wash, Drumclean and Anti-Allergy (inc bacteria reduction) programmes might suit you better.
Alternatively, find the best washing machine for you by exploring our full range of Beko, Bosch, Blomberg, Hotpoint and Samsung washing machines.
7. Dry white laundry outside
Dry laundry outside if you can as the sun will naturally bleach and brighten white fabric.
If drying inside, check any whites that were stained are fully clean before putting them in your tumble dryer.
This is because tumble drying white clothes can set the stain. Pre-treat as before and wash the item again.
Delicate whites should always be dried on a low tumble dryer setting, or air-dried if not tumble dryer safe.
8. Deep clean your washing machine
Finally, clean laundry starts with a clean washing machine. Regular deep clean service washes will help yours wash better for longer by removing limescale and residue.
If a deep clean of your washing machine isn’t doing the trick, and you think you’re looking for expert advice on a new washing machine, browse our laundry products or pop in store for expert advice on the right product for you.
