10 Super Easy Ways To Whiten Whites Without Bleach

You can whiten your clothes by following these simple tips to refresh your laundry. You don't even have to use bleach to clean your clothes and eliminate spots and smells.

The best ways to clean and refresh your clothes are affordable, eco-friendly and suitable for colored garments. You can either use homemade, natural solutions or eco-friendly laundry products made by sustainable brands.

You can use these simple recommendations are as a powerful laundry additive that protects your skin and the environment. These work well on all your laundry to whiten whites, brighten colors, and remove odors.

Here are some super easy ways to fight stains and whiten whites without any bleach that you need to know.

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1. Eco-friendly stain remover

You can get rid of sticky stains and odors and whiten your clothes by using an eco-friendly stain remover. They clean and refresh your clothes without any toxic ingredients.

The best stain removers aren't irritating or corrosive as they contain no chlorine or caustic soda. They replace the hazardous chemicals found in traditional laundry products with milder, eco-friendlier ingredients.

They come in either spray or liquid form to eliminate your most stubborn spots and smells. They are fully compostable, natural, and made with eco-friendly ingredients.

Eco-friendly stain removers use innovative formulas to remove stains and odors and works on colors and whites. They work with your favorite laundry detergent to help you in the fight against tough set-in stains and odors.

Check out our selection for the very best eco-friendly laundry stain removers to effectively whiten whites and make them brand new again.

2. White vinegar

You can easily make a very potent cleaning product yourself by using a water and white vinegar solution. It's an all-natural, DIY, homemade cleaner that can help you whiten whites, brighten colors, and remove odors.

SHOP WHITE VINEGAR

Using white vinegar is a less toxic and plastic-free solution since it eliminates unnecessary bottles of cleaner. You can also look for package-free cleaning products made of vinegar at farmer's markets or some grocery stores.

The amount of vinegar you need depends on how many clothes you plan to clean. You will need more vinegar for heavier loads. Start with one cup of vinegar for four cups of water.

White vinegar is a natural cleaner that will clean and refresh your apparel and footwear right away without damaging it. Just place your items in a soaking basin for at least half an hour.

Then use cold or moderately warm water and try to remove any remaining stain or odor on your garments by hand. Cleanse and rinse the fibers in cold water.

And don't scrub stains vigorously. You could spread them and even damage the fabric permanently. Instead, work from the outside in gently dabbing them.

Don't worry. Your clothes won't smell like vinegar. You can also add an aromatic scent to the mixture with the essential oils of your choice. Essential oils made of natural extracts are perfect to scent your laundry and leave no residue or harsh smell.

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Be careful not to use too much vinegar as some fragile colors may fade. Use the scented vinegar solution in place of traditional bleach. This mixture will eliminate stains and odors and add a fresh scent to your clothes.

Read our ultimate guide for everything you need to know about how to clean your clothes with vinegar.

3. Baking soda

Baking soda is another fantastic way of whitening whites without any bleach. It's very effective against pesky spots, residue, and odors and leaves your clothes naturally fresh-smelling.

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You can make an effective cleaning solution with four tablespoons of baking soda per glass of water. Then, apply the mixture to the stained area gently and let it make its effects for at least an hour.

Baking soda will whiten your clothing if you wait long enough. Make sure to let your garments air dry. After a while, you can brush the baking soda off of the fabric. Then, cleanse and rinse your clothes in water.

You can repeat these steps until your clothes are clean enough and the spots and are gone. Repeat the baking soda application, then let your garments soak for longer until you are happy with the results.

You can read our guide for everything you need to know about using baking soda to clean your laundry.

4. Organic soap

To effectively whiten your clothes without bleach, soak them in hot water and organic soap for at least an hour and then repeat. Water and natural soap are enough to refresh your garments if the odors or stains aren't exceptionally heavy.

Some of the best soaps you can use are all-natural, package-free soaps made with organic oils, herbs, spices, plant butter, pure essential oils, and chemical-free ingredients.

Look for eco-friendly products made of plant-based ingredients and avoid animal-based agents, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, phosphates, petroleum, and synthetic fragrance.

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Soak your clothes for long periods but not too long as you risk damaging the fabrics. Delicate fabrics require lower water temperatures and softer soaps.

5. Eco-friendly detergent

Detergents are the ultimate cleaning products. They are super practical and powerful to remove any stains and odors, brighten colors and whiten whites without bleach.

Specific liquid laundry detergents target the most stubborn stains and odors. Gently rub the detergent onto the stained area until it becomes clear. Cleanse and rinse the fabrics in cold water.

Avoid any chlorine-based detergent as it can melt fibers, dye, and damage fabrics. Don't use acetone or organic solvents either. They will dissolve many types of fibers and cause irreversible damage to your clothes.

Don't use too much detergent. Measure the right amount, liquid or solid. The amount of detergent you need depends on how many clothes you need to clean.

Check out our selection of affordable and eco-friendly laundry detergents to whiten whites.

6. Mineral oil

Mineral oil can also help you whiten whites and remove stains without bleach. Pour the colorless, odorless, light oily mixture directly on the stained area and rub gently.

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Mineral oil is a common ingredient in many personal care products, such as baby oil. It comes in different forms (oils, gels, liquids) and is also used in furniture polish, wood treatment products, and stainless steel cleaners.

You can use mineral oil as a pre-wash method for super easy stain removal. Dab a little bit of it on the stained area, let it soak and dry, then cleanse and rinse with cold water.

7. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective solution to whiten clothes without bleach. This mild antiseptic, oxidizer and bleaching agent will clean and refresh your garments and make them brand new again.

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Dilute a solution of hydrogen peroxide in water to prepare an efficient cleaner against pesky spots and odors. It's a powerful disinfectant with antiviral and antibacterial properties.

You can use hydrogen peroxide to whiten whites and brighten colors, disinfect laundry, and remove stains. It's a fantastic substitute for bleach that you can use along with your favorite laundry detergent.

8. Lemon cleaner

Another way of whitening your clothes without bleach is to make a natural cleaner at home using orange or lemon peels or juice.

You can easily make an all-purpose, all-natural cleaner by mixing water with orange or lemon. Citrus fruits are very effective against stains and odors. They also add a wonderful scent to your clothing.

SHOP LEMON JUICE

You'll need one cup of fruit-based ingredients mixed with 3 cups of water. Make the cleaning solution, apply it to the stained area, and let it soak for at least half an hour.

Natural and homemade fabric cleaners are arguably the most affordable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning products. They are healthy and safe for your skin and the planet.

Opting for an easy DIY solution can even save you money. You can create your sustainable fabric cleaner at home without any extra equipment. Use it to clean and refresh your clothes without damaging the environment.

9. Dry-cleaning service

Alternatively, you can send your clothes and shoes stained with acrylic paint to your nearest dry cleaning service. If all else fails despite your best efforts, use the services of a professional cleaner.

Contact a local dry cleaner if you can't get paint stains or odors out of your clothes and shoes at home. You can easily find the nearest dry cleaning service online.

For heavy stains and odors on your clothing, professional dry cleaning services can save the day.

10. Chlorine-free bleach

Most bleaches contain hazardous ingredients that aren't safe for your skin or the environment. To effectively whiten your clothes in a better way, you can use eco-friendlier, color-safe, and chlorine-free bleach.

Chlorine-free bleach offers many advantages over regular bleach. It contains no synthetic fragrances, dyes, or contaminants and refreshes your clothes without harmful chemicals and toxins.

Check out our selection for the very best color-safe and chlorine-free bleaches to effectively whiten whites and make them brand new again.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.