Posted in Home, Home Archive, Home Recipes | Thursday, February 11th, 2010
The #1 question I get from families, friends and aquaintances is “How do you whiten your clothes without bleach?”
It’s easy.
Now the number one tip I can give for getting and keeping white clothes really white is pre-soaking them in a sink full of water with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide.
Another great way to get your clothes white is to add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to your load and line dry OUTSIDE. *
That being said, I rarely remember to pre-wash, and it’s winter, so I’m not line drying my clothes outside. So here’s what I do:
What you’ll need:
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or 2 tbsps of Ecover Powder Bleach alternative (or 1/4 cup Ecover Liquid Bleach alternative
3 tbsps Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent
2 scoops Oxo Brite dissolved in warm water (I have a 3.5 lb container that lasts for months, but you can find it smaller here.)
Top-load washer instructions:
Pour all ingredients in and let washer fill with warm water. Then add clothes and pause cycle to let the clothes soak for 30 mins. After 30mins I continue washing and drying as usual. (I usually wash warm and rinse cold to save on my hot water bill!)
Front-load washer instructions:
If you have a front loader (like me), add your dingiest clothes first, (in our house that’s socks usually) then fill the washer partway with water, then stop the cycle and add the rest of your white clothes. Start the cycle again and when it beings to churn
Sexy (my hubby) pre-treats his collars buy spraying hydrogen peroxide directly on them and rubbing them together before throwing them in the laundry. If when I go to wash, they still seem dingy, I’ll make a paste of peroxide and baking soda and rub it on the stain. This works well for underarm stains as well! I only use Hydrogen peroxide on whites and light colored clothing. (It won’t leave those ugly bleach spots either). Oxo Brite I use on my colored wash too.
*Note: Do NOT mix lemon juice and peroxide together in your washer. It will eat holes in your clothes!
How do you get YOUR clothes white without bleach?
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About Savvy Brown
I believe being healthy doesn't have to be complicated, being green can be easy and being broke isn't an option!
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Good tips – although I love bleach myself
I get bunches of hydrogen peroxide at Sam’s Club. All the non-chlorine bleach you buy is either mainly hydrogen peroxide or turns into it in the wash.
Hi there! You’re right. Even the Ecover that I use is hydrogen peroxide and water. I tend to think it’s a little stronger than the kind that I get at the pharmacy. But that’s just my opinion.
I cant wait to try this…I am about to do a load on vacation day. I am really glad I found this site
Thanks for stopping by! Please come back and tell us how it works for you. Don’t forget to check these out. Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe and Clean Your dishes with Kool-Aid.
I haven’t used bleach in years and don’t miss it. Great article!
Thank you! (I like your blog too!)
So, If I add 1 cup of Oxi Brite to my homeade laundry detergent recipe, all I will have to do is add 1/2 peroxide per wash right?
If you’re going to add it to your regular laundry detergent, 1/2 cup of Oxi added to your mix should be fine. I personally don’t mix it with my laundry detergent, but that’s just my preference. When washing your whites, try using 1/2 cup of peroxide. And 1 extra scoop of Oxi. Let me know how that goes ok?
It’s funny, have suggested this remedy to customers, but have not yet tried it myself. If it can make my dingy whites brighter while reducing the risk hazards, then I would be a fool not to give it a try. Will let you know how it works out. Thanks for the sharing. Will forward it around!
@Ask Netfah Please do! And Check with Oju! She made the switch and loves it!
OK… I’m stuck to this blog now. Awesome tips! Gotta try them!