What is the best way to wash white clothes?

What’s the right temperature to wash white clothes?

Whether you wash whites in hot or cold water can vary. The best temperature to wash your whites mostly depends on the fabric of your garment. Always follow the instructions on the care tag, first. However, you should wash whites in hot water if you can, since hot water is generally more effective at removing a wider range of soils. Make sure to separate out colored items when washing whites in hot water, since the high temperature can increase the likelihood of color transfer.

To achieve the best results, your white clothes wash temperature should be set to warm or hot, typically somewhere between 90°F and 140°F. This temperature range effectively removes many common soils, helping to keep your whites bright and clean. For heavily soiled items like white towels, sheets and undergarments, washing in hot water is particularly beneficial, as it can help eliminate odors and certain stains.

While washing whites in hot water is the preferred method, not all fabrics can withstand high temperatures. Delicate whites may require a gentler approach, so it's essential to check care labels. If you need to wash your white laundry in cold water, try adding an oxygen booster or washing soda to the load, but always follow the usage instructions for any cleaning agents. Read on to learn more techniques on how to retain the whiteness of your clothes or get white clothes white again.

How to wash white clothes in your washing machine

To wash white clothes in your washer, start by separating them from colored items and checking care labels. Pre-treat any stains and use a high-quality detergent designed for whites. Select the warmest temperature allowed by the care tag, and consider adding non-chlorine bleach if suitable. Finally, hang your whites up to dry in the sun or use your dryer on the warmest temperature allowed.

Washing white clothes in a washing machine is simple and effective when done correctly. To maintain the brightness of your whites and help prevent discoloration, follow these steps on how to wash white clothes.

Step 1: Sort Your Laundry

Separate white clothes from colored items to prevent bleeding and discoloration. 

Step 2: Check Care Labels

Review the care labels on your garments for specific washing instructions and temperature recommendations. Separate your white fabrics by how you’ll wash them. It’s particularly important to remove delicate whites from items you’ll wash in hot water.

Step 3: Pre-Treat Stains

Directly apply an enzyme detergent or stain remover to any visible stains and allow it to sit for a few minutes, or soak the stain in a mixture of water and detergent before washing.

Step 4: Choose the Best Detergent

Consider the fabrics and your washing machine type to pick the best detergent. In general, you’ll want to use a high-quality enzyme detergent to wash white clothes. The enzymes in detergents, like Swash^® Laundry Detergent¹,  accelerate chemical reactions that break down stains and dirt.

Step 5: Add Bleach (Optional)

You may also consider using an oxygen bleach, or non-chlorine bleach, for stained whites if the care tag allows. Oxygen bleach can help effectively address stains on both colored and white fabrics.

Step 6: Select the Appropriate Wash Cycle

Set your washing machine to a Hot water cycle (90°F to 140°F) for most white fabrics. You can pair this with a Normal cycle, or a dedicated Whites cycle if available. For delicate items, choose a Gentle cycle with warm or cold water. Always defer to the instructions on your care tag.

Step 7: Load the Machine

Place your white clothes in the washing machine, ensuring not to overload it for effective cleaning.

Step 8: Start the Wash

Begin the wash cycle and let the machine do its job.

Step 9: Dry Properly

After washing, dry your whites in the sun if possible, as sunlight may help to naturally whiten fabrics. If using a dryer, follow the instructions on the care tag or, when in doubt, choose a low heat setting.

By following these steps on how to wash white clothes, you can help keep your whites looking fresh and vibrant.

How to wash stained white clothes

To wash stained white clothes, start by flushing the stain with water as soon as possible from the inside of the garment. Then dab a bit of enzyme detergent or stain remover directly onto the stain. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, wash the garment in hot water if possible per its care label. For tough stains, soak the item in a mixture of water and detergent for about 30 minutes before washing. Learn more with this guide to removing stains from whites, or check out the additional tips below:

• Treat ASAP: Treat stains on white clothes quickly. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove. Prompt action helps prevent stains from setting.

• Check the Care Label: Before applying any stain-removal treatment, consult the garment’s laundry care label to ensure you use the appropriate method.

• Test the Treatment: Apply the stain remover to a hidden area of the fabric first to check for any adverse effects, to help avoid damage to the entire garment.

• Consider Water Temperature: Use the correct water temperature when pretreating stains. While higher temperatures can set some stains, others, like chocolate, may come out more easily in warmer water.

Some washers include features that can help you care for stains on white clothes. Look for washers with built-in faucets that let you flush your stain right over the washer. Select Whirlpool^® Washers feature a Pretreat Station that lets you soak, scrub and wash all in one spot with a built-in faucet and pretreat brush for quick, easy access to tools that help you get it all done at once.

How to make white clothes white again or brighten white clothes

To restore the brightness of your white clothes, use a combination of proper washing techniques and natural whitening agents. Start by sorting and pre-soaking white clothes in warm water with baking soda or vinegar. Then, rinse and wash in hot water with an enzyme detergent. For tough stains, consider color-safe bleach. Dry white clothes in sunlight or your dryer and maintain regular washing to help prevent dullness.

For more details, follow this step-by-step guide on how to retain the whiteness of new clothes and how to brighten white clothes that have become dull or yellowed over time.

Step-by-Step Instructions to make white clothes bright again

Step 1: Separate whites and colored clothing

First, separate white clothes from colored items to prevent color bleeding and transfer. This is a crucial step to helping keep whites bright. 

Step 2: Pre-soak

Soak whites in warm water mixed with 1/2 cup of baking soda for 30 minutes before washing. If your white shirts have yellowed more significantly, you can try mixing a solution of warm water and white vinegar and allow your white clothes to soak anywhere from one hour to overnight. Vinegar is acidic so it should not be used regularly, and should be avoided for delicate fabrics. Make sure to rinse vinegar out of your items before placing them in the wash.

Step 3: Choose the right detergent

Use a detergent specifically designed for white clothes or an enzyme detergent. You could also use oxygen bleach for stubborn dullness. Baking soda is a good bleach alternative, and can be added to your washer drum before you start a cycle. 

Step 4: Select cycles and settings

Wash white clothes in the hottest water safe for the fabric, as indicated on the care label. Pair it with a Normal or Whites cycle unless the care tag says otherwise.

Step 5: Dry in sunlight

Hang whites outside to dry in direct sunlight, which can act as a natural whitener. You can also dry them in your dryer per care tag instructions.

Step 6: Use lemon juice

For spot treatment, such as under the arms, mix equal parts lemon juice and water, apply to stains, and let sit in sunlight before washing. Lemon juice is acidic, so avoid using this method regularly or on delicate clothes.

Step 7: Try Bluing Agent

Add a bluing agent to your wash cycle to counteract yellowing. Again, use this method only occasionally to avoid overdoing it and ending up with too much color transfer. You may also want to run a Rinse cycle in your empty washer afterward. Always follow package instructions.

Step 8: Maintain Regular Cleaning

Wash white clothes frequently to help prevent dirt and sweat from setting in and always follow best practices like sorting whites, darks and colored clothes.

You can find washers with features to help you wash white clothes that need a little extra care, such as the Automatic Presoak option on select Whirlpool^® washers. You can presoak your laundry right in the washer to tackle stains without a trip to the sink. Set your washer to soak for 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes, then the washer will add water and detergent for soaking. The cycle will start automatically once soaking is complete.

By following these steps, you can effectively help brighten your white clothes and maintain their crisp appearance. Remember, consistency in your washing routine is key to keeping your whites white.

How to bleach white clothes

To wash whites with bleach, start by sorting them from colored items. Use a bleach-safe detergent and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of liquid bleach to the wash cycle, following the manufacturer's instructions. Wash in hot water if safe for the fabric. Rinse thoroughly and dry in sunlight for added brightness. Always check care labels first.

How to whiten white clothes that have yellowed without bleach

To whiten yellowed white clothes without bleach, try soaking them in warm water mixed with either 1/2 cup of baking soda or 1 cup of white vinegar per gallon of water. Let the clothes soak for at least 30 minutes or overnight before washing. Hang them to dry in direct sunlight, which can act as a natural bleaching agent. Use these bleach alternative methods to help restore the brightness of your whites.

Can you wash colors with whites?

It is not recommended to wash whites with colors, as colored items can bleed dye and stain white fabrics. Always avoid washing white clothes with new colored clothing as they may be more likely to bleed during a first wash. If you must mix whites and colors, use cold water and a detergent labeled safe for both colors and whites. Consider adding a color catcher to absorb any loose dyes during the wash. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to keep whites white is to wash them separately.

Can you dry whites and colors together?

You should dry whites and colors separately for a few reasons. White garments can absorb excess moisture from colored clothes, which could include color transfer, especially if the colored items are new or not colorfast. The heat of a drying cycle can also make dyes more susceptible to bleeding. The effect might not be dramatic, but you could notice your whites dulling over time. If you’re in a time crunch and need to dry whites with colored clothes, ensure that all items have a similar fabric type to help reduce friction in the dryer, and use a low heat setting.

What not to do when washing white clothes

When washing white clothes, it's important to avoid certain practices that can lead to discoloration, fading or damage. Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:

• Washing whites with colors: Colored items can bleed dye and stain white fabrics or lead to graying over time. 

• Using too much detergent: Excess detergent can leave a dingy residue on clothes. This is a common reason why white clothes can start to turn yellow.

• Overloading the washing machine: This can prevent proper water circulation and cleaning, or cause too much friction between garments leading to dullness.

• Neglecting to pretreat stains: While some stains will come out during a routine wash, it’s best to give them a helping hand and pretreat them as soon as possible. This can also help  prevent the stain substance from transferring to other garments in the wash.

• Using chlorine bleach on delicate fabrics: Bleach can weaken and damage certain materials. While it is a powerful whitening agent, it might overpower certain delicate fabrics. Try using baking soda and water instead.

• Washing whites infrequently: Letting dirt and sweat build up can make whites look dull. Help retain the whiteness of your clothes by washing regularly.

By avoiding these common missteps and following proper washing techniques, you can help keep your white clothes looking their best.

Discover Whirlpool^® Washer and Dryer Sets

Whether you’re looking for top load or front load washers, washing machines from Whirlpool brand, you can find features that help laundry day run smoothly. Select models feature a built-in Pretreat Station so you can soak, scrub and wash all in one spot. Or shop models with Intuitive Controls that guide you to the right cycle combinations or customize up to 35 of your own to get the right type of fabric care for whatever you're washing.