How to Wash White Clothes with Bleach
White is one such color that easily gets dull and stained due to sweat or exposure to dirt. Keeping whites spotless and bright all the time can be a very difficult task. However, this challenging task can be made easier with bleach and by learning how to wash white clothes with bleach properly.
Bleach helps to remove the stains and brighten the white clothes which regular laundry detergent can not do. When used properly, bleach not only removes stains and makes them bright but also restores the natural whiteness of the clothes.
Let’s see in this guide how to wash whites with bleach. Whether you are cleaning in a washing machine or by hand, this guide covers the complete method for cleaning whites with bleach, how long to soak whites in bleach, and what precautions to take when using bleach.
How to Wash White Clothes with Bleach
Learning how to wash white clothes with bleach is not difficult. By following the right steps, you can easily wash your white clothes with bleach. If you do not have a washing machine, then don’t worry this article covers the guide for both ways, i.e, washing white clothes with bleach in a washer and washing white clothes with bleach without a washer.
How to Bleach White Clothes in Washer?
To wash white clothes with bleach, it’s better if you first wash the clothes with detergent and then bleach them. In this way, bleach will work more effectively.
Let’s now see the steps on how to bleach white clothes in a washer:
Step 1. Check the Fabric Label
The first step in how to wash white clothes with bleach is to check whether the fabric is bleach safe or not. Check the fabric label, as some fabrics are delicate and are not bleach safe, so it is recommended not to wash such clothes with bleach. Also do check the temperature at which the fabric can be washed.
Step 2. Test the Bleach
Along with checking the fabric label, also test the bleach. Some bleaches are very strong and can damage clothes, so it’s good if you check before using them. To check, mix bleach with water and then dip a cotton bud in it. Gently touch the cloth with a cotton bud, just a slight touch (at the inner side of the cloth) to test. If the cloth color does not change or is damaged, then it is safe to wash the cloth with bleach.
Step 3. Put the Clothes in the Washer
Put the clothes in the washer for washing. Pour the washing detergent and begin the wash cycle. For this step, have a look at the complete guide on how to wash white clothes. When the wash cycle is complete, leave the clothes inside the washing machine for bleaching.
Step 4. Dilute the Bleach Before Use
Now this is the most important step in how to wash white clothes with bleach that you need to pay more attention to. To bleach the white clothes, first dilute the bleach; the common ratio is ¼ cup of bleach for 1 gallon (4 liters of water) . You can set the quantity according to this ratio. Add the diluted bleach and run the cycle with warm water.
Set a short cycle for bleach to avoid fabric damage.
Step 5. Rinse the Clothes
After the bleach cycle is complete, start the rinse cycle to ensure that no bleach residues are left on clothes. Any leftover bleach can make yellow spots on clothes, also it is not good for the skin. If needed, run the rinse cycle twice to ensure that bleach is completely removed from clothes.
Step 6. Dry the Clothes
The last and final step in how to wash white clothes with bleach in the washing machine is to run the dryer cycle to dry the clothes. When the dryer cycle is complete, hang the clothes outdoors for freshness.
Do not hang white clothes in direct sunlight as it can damage the fabric quality.
How to Bleach White Clothes Without a Washer?
To bleach white clothes without a washer the first two steps are the same as the above-mentioned for bleaching white clothes in the washing machine. Let’s have a look at what other steps are:
Step 3. Wash the Clothes
To wash the clothes, take an empty bucket or tub and fill it with lukewarm water. Add the laundry detergent, mix it with water, and put the clothes in it. Let them soak for half an hour. After that, gently rub the clothes with your hands or a brush. Then rinse the clothes properly to ensure that no detergent remains on the clothes.
Step 4. Dilute the Bleach Before Use
Take another bucket and add bleach to it, and dilute it with water. Set the ratio for diluting the bleach according to :¼ cup bleach & 1 gallon (4 liters ) of water. Put the clothes in it and gently stir around and let them soak in bleach for 5-10 minutes.
Do not over soak clothes in bleach, as it damages clothes.
Step 5. Rinse the Clothes
Then rinse the clothes. Rinse thoroughly so that no bleach remains on the clothes.
Step 6. Dry the Clothes
Squeeze the excess water with your hands and then hang the clothes outdoors for drying. If you do not squeeze the excess water and hang them directly outside, then clothes will take a longer time to dry.
Remember when washing clothes with bleach, whether in the washing machine or by hands, always dilute it with water to prevent the fabric from being damaged.
How Long to Soak Whites in Bleach?
Another important question that people ask when bleaching their white clothes is how long to soak whites in bleach. Well, the answer to this question depends on the type of bleach you are using.
If you are using chlorine bleach, then you should only soak for 5-10 minutes. If you see the stains do not go away within this time, then you give more 5-10 minutes, but not more than that. It’s better to repeat the process instead of oversoaking the whites in bleach, as it can damage fabric.
If you are using oxygen based bleach, then you can soak for 30 minutes. Some people recommend that when using oxygen bleach, you can soak for up to 6 hours or even overnight. As oxygen bleach is gentle so they are safe for prolonged soaking.
Always check the bleach package instructions to avoid oversoaking.
Precautions When Using Bleach for Whites
Now that you know how to wash white clothes with bleach, it’s also important that you should know how to use bleach safely for washing. Here are some of the precautions you need to take when using bleach for washing clothes:
- Always wear hand gloves to prevent accidental burns or allergic reactions from bleach.
- Do not apply bleach directly to clothes; always dilute it and then use it.
- Do not pour excess bleach on clothes.
- Do not oversoak clothes in bleach.
- Always test a little amount of bleach on a cloth before using it for washing the cloth.
- Check the garment label to ensure it is bleach safe.
- When using the bleach, work in a well ventilated area.
Bleach is no doubt an effective method to restore the natural brightness of white clothes. But this effective method can only help when you know how to wash white clothes with bleach properly. I am sure this guide has helped you to understand how to wash whites with bleach. By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can keep your white clothes white, bright, fresh, and stain-free without damaging the fabric.
Follow this simple and easy guide and restore the brightness and shine of your whites!
You might be interested in reading: How to Remove Coffee Stains From Clothes
FAQ
How much bleach to put in when washing the clothes?
You can add ¼ cup of bleach per 1 gallon (4 liters) of water. Alternatively you can also check the bleach packaging label instructions. But do not pour the excess quantity of the bleach on the clothes.
At what temperature to wash white clothes with bleach?
The best temperature to wash white clothes with bleach is 40°C on a warm cycle. Also do check the fabric label to know what temperature is mentioned on it. If you are washing clothes without a washing machine then using lukewarm water is best.
How to bleach white pants?
To bleach the white pants, first wash them with detergent to remove the dirt. Then soak them in a mixture of bleach diluted with water for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse the pants thoroughly to ensure bleach is completely removed. Squeeze the excess water and hang them out to dry naturally.