July 13, 2016

How to Get your White Clothes White Again

how to get your white clothes white again

Several months back, I had one reader ask me about my favorite white shirts. And as much as I love a good white button down or tee, I despise how quickly the shirts lose their crisp, fresh look. That was pretty much my reply to that reader question..”that no matter what I buy, they end up looking dingy after a few months..” But, being that they’re pretty much a staple in my wardrobe, it would be a purchase I’d make several times a year.

In response to that readers question, I had another reader, Nicole, comment about soaking her whites in Oxiclean overnight and “how it works like a charm.”  Now, of course I’ve seen the over the top infomercials claiming what a miracle product Oxiclean was, but it wasn’t until then, that I even thought to try it.

Later that day, I ran to the drugstore, bought a large bucket, some Oxiclean and soaked four of my white button downs  and five of my tees in the solution. After a night of soaking, I threw everything in the washing machine and couldn’t believe the results! BRIGHT WHITE CLOTHES.

I know that many of you are reading this and thinking “DUH! Where have you been?” I immediately text messaged a bunch of my friends and half of them were like “Um…. yea. You didn’t know that?” and the other half shared my excitement from this new found knowledge. Keiko then told me that her mom swore by soaking her whites in a mixture of laundry detergent, oxiclean and a ton of ice cubes. Apparently, this combo is even better than what I described above, but I have yet to try it.

For the few of you who didn’t know this trick (and I do realize it probably is just a few), I just had to share. Apparently I’m the one whose been living under a rock. My whites have brand new life and that’s something that will most definitely save me a ton of money.

The easy steps:

*Soak your whites in a bucket or water  + 1 scoop Oxiclean. I fill the bucket to the top and use the end of a mixing spoon or whatever you have on hand, to stir the mixture together.

*Let it soak overnight (or any 6-12 hour period). You don’t have to be strict with this, but I’ve found, the longer I let the clothes soak, the better. Every now and then, I’ll give the mixture a stir.

*Transfer the wet clothes into your washing machine. Add another scoop of Oxiclean inside the actual spinner (not in the separate detergent compartment) and then INTO the detergent compartment, add your usual detergent. Machine wash as you normally would.

All of these directions are also on the back of the Oxiclean box!

Done!

PS: This is NOT sponsored, just something I wanted to share!

photo by Christina Emilie

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51 comments

  • Ivete

    Ha ha, I guess I’ve been under that rock with you! I didn’t know about this either. So, a big thank you to Nicole for letting you know and thank you for sharing it with us!

    http://www.girlinahotcity.com

  • The Fearless Fashionista

    Thank you for this. I didn’t know either and will definitely try this!

  • brett

    I love Oxiclean! I’ve been using it for a long time now, but only when my clothes have an intense stain. I’ve never tried soaking my whites in it overnight. So thank you for the tip! I can’t wait to try it!

    http://www.giltedgeblog.com

  • Azu

    YES! That’s exactly what I use on my whites. People ask me all the time how my whites are so white. I’ve been using it for years and it’s amazing.

    xo Azu

    http://www.raven-locks.blogspot.com

  • sasa

    Good to know, haha:P

    Shall We Sasa

  • Dana Mannarino

    This is awesome, I never knew about this trick! Thanks for sharing so candidly!

    Pink Champagne Problems

  • Jo

    Add me to the list I was skeptical that this would be better than what I have been using. But I’m going to buy some and will try this especially on my husband’s white t shirts.
    PS – you look amazing never would have dreamed you just had a baby! Love your blog – you make my day?

    • Helena

      Jo! Thank you so much! And please let me know when you try this and how it works on his shirts.

  • Nina

    Helena, I would also highly recommend White Distilled Vinegar for everyday use. It’s naturally whitens whites, seals color into to dark fabrics, deodorizes, and softens clothing without breaking down the fibers overtime like traditional fabric softener does. and it is great at keeping armpit stains at bay. 🙂

  • Jo

    Oxiclean really is amazing when it comes to brightening white clothing! An alternative homemade version is 1 part baking soda, 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water. Works like a charm!

    xo, Jo
    http://www.cutandchic.com

    • Helena

      I have to try this! Thank you!

  • Jen

    Oxyclean stain remover is also great! I spray it all over my white Converse and let it soak for 10 mins. Add laundry detergent and scrub with a stiff brush. Cover wet shoes completely with toilet paper or tissues (it’s weird but somehow keeps the canvas from yellowing ) and let dry. Shoelaces soak in it overnight then are just run through the wash. It’s the best thing to clean a pair of dirty white canvas shoes!

    • Helena

      Didn’t even think of trying this, but going to let my husband know! He has so many sneakers that need new life. thank you!

  • Rach

    I totally did not know this so this is definitely amazing!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

  • Emilia Dobrydney

    Yep I have been living under a rock too–I will be trying this tip ASAP!! Did you use powder or liquid? Thanks for your awesome tips–you’re the reason why I have decent skin again 🙂

    • Helena

      I used the powder!

      And omg, your skin comment made my day! SO happy to hear that. Would love to hear what you changes you’ve made to see a difference!

      • Emilia Dobrydney

        Thanks so much for your feedback–and it was the type of cleanser I use as well as how I wash my face that I changed! I switched to all BR products and although I don’t have a huge variety I see a huge difference from just switching to a milk cleanser and lotion P50! Thanks again for your tips they truly do make a difference and your style is a huge inspiration!

  • Carolyn

    does Oxiclean work better than color-safe bleach?? I swear no matter how much I soak with that, my white don’t get any whiter!

    http://heyprettything.com

    • Helena

      Hi Carolyn!

      Personally, it works better for me than color-safe bleach!

  • Alyssa Amato

    This is the perfect post! Love the tips! xx

    http://www.fashionsensored.com

  • Kate

    What ratio of Oxiclean to water did you use?

    • Helena

      Hi Kate!

      I got a standard size bucket and I use one scoop of oxiclean and then fill the bucket *almost* to the top. Probably three quarters full!

  • nat

    i really want to get some of my white clothes whiter again so these tips are great!!
    xx
    http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au

  • Trendique

    Oh what a great article! <3

    xo Vanessa from http://www.Trendique-Magazine.com

  • Caitlin

    Oh man, I am one of the few. I desperately need to try this on my white Chucks! Those things lose their white in a heartbeat! Thanks so much for posting, I love this!

    http://www.tailoredandtrue.com

  • Rosie

    Ah, I needed this post! Thanks for sharing.
    xx, R @ http://www.thegirlinpolkadots.com

  • Lera

    Great tips! I usually just drop it off at the dry cleaners but all the chemicals they use make me feel uncomfortable. I’ll try this instead.

  • Ann

    Well, guess I too have been under a rock! I’ve been so upset in the past by a ruined / yellowed / dingy white shirt so this is JUST AWESOME – thank you!!

  • Nancy

    I was just at the store today and pick-up the *new*
    OxiClean White Revive. Have you seen it yet ?

    https://www.amazon.com/OxiClean-White-Revive-Stain-Remover/dp/B00QKIHXCE/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468527767&sr=8-1&keywords=oxiclean+white+revive

  • Monika

    Such a useful post!
    Love,
    http://www.thestyleventure.com

  • Pallavi

    I should have invested in Oxyclean! I presoak my kids’ clothing in it, as well, and highly recommend the spray bottle version to anyone with an infant or a toddler (or both!) Those diaper blowouts and food battles can produce serious stains, as you will soon discover.

  • google mail

    Good to know, haha:P

  • Betsy

    I have a lot of white clothes, and thanks for your share

    Coco | http://www.missygowns.com/

  • Weekend Whimsy Vol. 103 - PreppyPanache

    […] Tips for getting your whites back to white. […]

  • Marina L

    LOVE their products! Oxiclean baby will get all those stain from your baby clothing!
    OxiClean® Spray-A-Way (hard to find in the storse) is always in my bag. It saved me and my friends so many times,..even red wine stains on vacation.A Must have!

  • Andrea

    I love wearing white, but always get stains all over my clothes! This is such a great tip!

    http://www.thebeautydojo.com

  • Tiffany of Macarons and Coffee

    Thanks for this post!!

  • John

    How much did you get paid for this? You know you are required by the FTC to disclose that this is a paid brand partnership with OxiClean.

    • BrooklynBlonde

      Hi John,
      Not a penny. This wasn’t a paid collaboration by any means. Just something I discovered (thanks to a reader) and felt excited to share.

  • Slow clap Sunday: opinions, financial stability, and Black Lives Matter - What's up Maddy

    […] How to get your white shirts white again: I’m one of those people who never heard of the oxyclean tip. I’ve always used bleach but Helena of Brooklyn Blonde showed me another way. […]

  • Elizabeth

    I *LOVE* oxyclean. Beware to not go crazy soaking too much as it does weaken the fabric. I’ve had some thinner, gauzier beach coverups as well as my duvet cover end up ripping after many oxyclean soaks.

    Another thing that helped me immensely was switching to crystal deoderant (the roll on version). No more thick, yellow deoderant stains on my nice white clothes.

  • Liv

    Such helpful tips! Thanks!!

    Liv

    http://www.livforstyle.net

  • CAt

    Does doing this weaken fabric? Im in marching band, i march the crash cymbals, and we have long fitted gloves that are white we wash them and whiten them every 2 werks and mine are the only gloves that have holes and weak spots.

  • Stacey

    I also swear by the Oxyclean stain stick for baby/toddler stains. I put it on a stain and throw into the laundry basket to set in until laundry time. No soak needed and everything comes out! A mix of Oxyclean and water also got red wine out of my expensive white wool rug. A Mom’s Bestfriend!

  • lenny face

    This is such a great tip!

  • anna

    Also, if you happen to have a blood accident during your… Um period, you can soak it in oxyclean overnight in cold water and the stain is gone by morning. Saves me from tossing out pajamas or underwear!! ✨

    • Valeria

      Regular hydrogen peroxide in the bottle actually works wonders and you don’t have to soak it. Just put some on and it will bubble up, then rinse it with water. Should be good to go.

  • Kim

    HUGE fan of Oxi-Clean *BUT* it will disintegrate anything with elastic after a few washings. Watch out for your socks, bras, and undies, stretch jeans, stretch tops. I’ve been using Oxi-Clean since it first came out and I love, love, LOVE it! Unfortunately, the rubber killing is real. 🙁

  • aPARTEMEN CAMBIO LOFTS

    Thank you for this. I didn’t know either and will definitely try this!

    Ha ha, I guess I’ve been under that rock with you! I didn’t know about this either. So, a big thank you to Nicole for letting you know and thank you for sharing it with us!

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  • Deborah

    I am so going to try these amazing tips especially on my daughter’s school t-shirt. Thanks for posting

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