How To Revive Tired Whites

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Don't wash whites with colours

The key to maintaining white clothes is frequent laundering, very hot water (the hotter the better), and a little elbow grease.
Doing extra laundry loads is well worth the effort.
Bleeding from darker colors is one of the main culprits in dinginess.
Another common cause is detergent residue, which acts as a magnet for dirt. Follow your machine's loading instructions to ensure proper water levels and rinsing.

Step 3: Use the hottest temperature

A 10-degree increase in temperature will increase any detergent's effectiveness.
Shrinkage can be avoided by drying on low to medium heat.

Step 4: Inspect for stains

Even if it will be days before the item makes it into the wash, treat a stain with some detergent or a stain product as soon as possible.
Allowing a stain to sit will discolor and weaken fabrics.
Work the detergent into a lather by rubbing the fabric together; rinse and repeat until the stain is noticeably lighter or has disappeared.

Step 5: Ensure stains are gone

Drying stained garments will bake stains into fibers.
If stains are still visible after a wash, keep washing until they're gone.
Treat stains as soon as possible.
The longer the wait, the harder it is to get stains out.

Step 6: Chlorine bleach - the last resort

If you feel the only way to get your clothes back to their former whiteness is to use chlorine bleach, make sure to follow the label directions.
Bleach breaks down optical brighteners (chemicals with dye that are applied to most white textiles).
Over time, bleach leaves clothes yellowed or gray and dingy.
Whiteness will be stripped off a fabric by bleach over time so only do this if it's completely necessary and don't repeat. You can also use vinegar instead of bleach.