How Do You Keep Your Whites White?

[downundergirl]

Hi all. Just looking for some tips on keeping whites white. Even though I wash all the whites together, after a while they all take on a grey tinge.
I can remember growing up and Mum would boil them first, then hand wash them - dazzling whites! However, I don't have the time or inclination to do anything like this!

Thanks in advance!

D

[cazboldy]

Wasg them on a really hot wash (depending on the materials) and put a mugful of washing soda crystals in.
I actually put a tablespoonful in every wash, as it has the same effct as calgon and the like, but is loads cheaper!

[nannyL]

you have to use a detergent that contians optical brightners AKA bleach if you want white whites.
generally powders contain optical brighteners and will keep your whites white where as liquids might not

Ecover does not have optical brightners in any of its products but they do do a whitening thing that you are supposed to add if you want your whites to reamain white. I think its called laundry whiterner or something like that

In the same way you should not use the same detergent for colours as you WILL bleach your colours and they wil fade

Line drying also helps as the suns natural UV rays will help brighten your whites, tumble drying / drying on an airer inside does not ahve the same effect

[baconeggnchips]

buy new whites

[downundergirl]

Thanks all! Will try all suggestions ..... if all that fails, will buy new whites ..... or some baconeggnchips

[mustremembermyself]

60 wash plus not supermarket own brand powder (- never keeps our washing clean!) and in wash stain remover thing like oxy.

[SquiffyonSnowballs]

I second the own brand thing. I spent some time working at a plant that makes washing powder and there was a big difference in process/quality depending on brand. It was ages ago now, but made me realise that you get what you pay for.

[PeachyHasAFiggyPudInTheOven]

Supermarket own brand white products (towels etc I mean, not powder- powder can ruin a machine btw), wash as hot as fabric can take, when it starts going grey as it wille ventually I find a gallon of dylon in whatever colour now takes yer fancy solves the issue quite well! ( towels becoming lilac in machine right now...)