What We Use Instead Of Bleach
Do your white sheets and clothes look dull and grey? It’s time to give them a brighten, and I have good news—there are all-natural alternatives to chemicals like chlorine bleach that will keep your whites looking crisp and cheery without harming the planet!
Sun— When we used cloth diapers with our kids, naturally, the liners got stained and discolored. To brighten them, we would air dry them in the sun. It worked like a charm! Not only do the UV rays remove stains and make them whiter, but they also kill many types of germs and help to disinfect fabrics. Hang white bed sheets, clothes, and towels in direct sunlight and allow them to dry.
Distilled White Vinegar— Distilled white vinegar works great to whiten clothes, soften fabric, and help remove musty/mildew smells. Add ¼ cup of vinegar to the last rinse cycle. You can also soak your clothes for a few hours in a basin full of warm water and one cup of white vinegar.
Lemons— Since we grow lemons, we often use them to clean, disinfect, and bleach our clothes. Lemons are known to whiten, brighten, and disinfect simultaneously. You can soak clothes or sheets in a bucket or basin with hot water and 1-2 sliced lemons. Allow your linens to soak for one to two hours before washing as you normally would in your washing machine.
Baking Soda— Baking soda naturally whitens, freshens, and softens fabrics—and it’s budget-friendly! Just add ½ cup of baking soda to the washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent. For spot stains, you can make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it directly to the fabric, and allow it to sit for a few minutes before washing it.
Hydrogen Peroxide— Hydrogen peroxide works great to disinfect cuts and scrapes, but it’s also a great way to bleach your whites. Add 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to your detergent or bleach dispenser, then run the load as you normally would.
Lemon Essential Oil Laundry Whitener
What you will need:
· ⅛ cup (1 ounce) natural and unscented Liquid laundry detergent
· 15 drops lemon essential oil
· ¼ teaspoon distilled white vinegar
· ½ cup baking soda
Mix and keep in a dark glass jar and add 2 tbsp in the laundry detergent dispenser.
If you want to clean up all of your laundry products check out my post about DIY fabric softener here and stain remover here
