I love laundry days, said no one ever. When you’re faced with a whole pile of once sparkling whites that are now a dingy shade of gray, it’s no wonder it’s seen as a chore.
But the worst moment happens when you go to grab a crisp white shirt from your closet, to discover it’s vanished, and instead, a rather dreary-looking item has taken its place.
Whether you take great care when doing your laundry or not, it can still be a challenge to keep those whites bright. So, I called on the help of clothing and washing machine experts to share their advice on how to keep whites white.
According to Philippa Brooks, fashion buyer at Chums, most of us unknowingly ruin our clothes simply because we don’t understand how to wash them correctly. She explains that with clothing costs rising and more households trying to make garments last longer, washing correctly isn’t just about hygiene; it’s about protecting your investment and the environment.
What turns whites gray?
There are several reasons why your whites are turning gray. “Mixing whites with dark clothes can cause the discoloration of the whites, as the color can often bleed during a cycle,” explains Michelle Feng, product marketing manager at Hisense.
"This is especially the case with dark and new garments which may darken white fabrics if washed together," explains Tom Akers, Product Trainer at Miele GB.
And this isn’t the only reason why whites turn gray. “If you overload your washing machine so that items can’t spread out, or if there isn’t enough detergent for the load, the dirt remaining on the items can also build up and cause the items to turn gray,” she adds.
Akers also explains that inadequate detergent can mean that soil, dirt, and oils spread to other garments rather than being washed away and he adds, "In case of oils, also washing with cold water may not be enough to dissolve them fully."
However, too much detergent can also cause an issue. Feng explains that if you use too much detergent in a wash, excess soap builds up and attracts dirt. So, rather than cleaning your clothes, it turns them gray.
There are also other reasons why white garments may adopt a gray color over time. "A slight graying is normal for cotton fabrics as they age due to oxidation," says Akers.
5 ways to keep your whites white
Following good laundry practice will prevent you from ruining your clothes and keep them looking fresh for longer. Here are 5 tips to keep your whites from turning gray.
1. Separate your garments
“Ensuring you always separate white clothes from dark clothes when washing will help to prevent any color bleeding during a cycle,” says Feng.
Akers warns that it's especially important to be careful with new garment’s or fabrics, such as denim, where the dye may be more susceptible to running.
And rather than having a big bundle of laundry to sort through before you put it in the wash, it's a good idea to invest in dedicated laundry baskets to separate whites, darks, and colors. Woe betide the person in the house who doesn't stick to the rules!
I like this Rolling Laundry Center that’s $79 at Wayfair. It has three pull-out bins for lights, darks, and colors, and a handy storage shelf above.
2. Don’t overload your washing machine
Feng also advises checking your washing machine's capacity to ensure you don’t overload it. “It allows the load to be fully cleaned, with the correct amount of space to rotate,” she explains.
If you can't put your hand on top of the load of washing and move it about, you know you've overfilled your appliance, and you won’t get the optimal cleaning results. Knowing how much laundry you can fit in a full load will prevent you from ending up with a pile of gray whites.
3. Use the correct amount of detergent
Extra detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes; in fact, it could also damage your garments and your washing machine. That’s why it’s important to know how much detergent to use for the best results.
The correct amount of detergent should be adjusted depending on the size of your load, the amount of soiling, and the hardness of your water. However, Feng says that some washing machines come with an auto-dosing feature which accurately adjusts the amount ot detergent depending on the load. “This allows for optimum cleaning with less waste, or overuse of detergent, which can attract dirt in a cycle,” she says.
4. Clean the drum
Aside from worrying about keeping your whites white, Feng recommends regularly cleaning your washing machine drum. “It will ensure a fresh and clean environment for whites to be washed, whilst enhancing the longevity of the machine,” she says. Cleaning the drum will eliminate residue, detergent build-up, and potential mold and mildew growth inside.
One particular focus area is the gasket seal, which, if not wiped clean after every cycle, will quickly become a breeding ground for mold, especially if it is not aired. I use something similar to Sugelary’s Mold Stain Cleaner, $9 at Amazon, to clean my washing machine drum.
5. Swap bleach to baking soda
Try to avoid reaching for the bleach as soon as you want to brighten your whites, as Brooks says it can weaken the fibers in your clothes.
To keep your whites bright without using bleach, add one cup of baking soda to each cycle. Whirlpool suggests adding it directly to your wash rather than using the detergent dispenser to avoid clogs.
Another method is to make up a solution of water and baking soda and allow your garments to soak for one hour before using the ‘whites’ cycle.
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