A washing mistake turns your white sheets yellow: here's what not to do

White bedding is an immortal classic of home textiles. It does not fade from regular hot washing, like colored ones, and always looks great in the interior.

But there is another problem with white sheets – they can turn noticeably yellow over time. Of course, you can restore their whiteness with chlorine bleach, but this is a rather aggressive substance that quickly damages the fibers. OBOZ.UA tells you about a more delicate method that will help get rid of yellowing and preserve the fabric.

Why do sheets turn yellow?

There can be several reasons for this. One is the effect of hard water salts. They partially settle in the fibers and make the fabric yellowish or grayish. Another reason may be (and this sounds quite unexpected) chlorine bleach. During washing, it reacts with the fat that gets on the sheets from the body, as well as with protein traces, and acquires this unpleasant color.

How to effectively whiten bedding

Products such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and dishwashing liquid are much more effective and safe for washing sheets. Each of these substances has properties that make it useful for washing. For example, vinegar softens fabrics well, lemon is considered a natural bleach, dishwashing soap removes stains and sweat residue, and baking soda eliminates odors.

To take advantage of the power of these products, prepare a soak with them. Mix a cup of vinegar, a cup of lemon juice, half a cup of baking soda, and two tablespoons of dishwashing detergent in a bowl of warm water. Put the bedding in this solution and leave it for at least 30 minutes. If the yellowing is severe, it will take longer.

Afterward, wring out the sheets lightly and place them in the washing machine. Wash on a normal cycle in warm water. It is better to dry them outdoors. Ideally, in the sun. Ultraviolet light has a natural whitening effect.

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