How to keep clothes white?

[Natalieharrison]

I know fascinating topic. DS starts school soon and has to wear white shirts. He's a mess magnet and I know they will come home dirty. This is why he never wears white. Our washer tends to turn whites grayish. What can I do to keep the white shirts as white as possible? I cant afford to replace them just because they're dinghy. Is there a washing powder you can recommend?

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

The Vanish whitening stuff is great, also add some soda crystals to the wash and wash them on a 60 degree wash with only other pure white things (last one very important imo)

Also, assuming they're cotton don't be afraid to add a bit of bleach to a bucket of cold water every few months to keep them bright.

Also, forget non bio washing powder, you need bio to keep things white!

[CaliNative]

I find Dr Beckmanns sachets (comes in a box of 3) work wonders for whites. Probably best to use with pure whites washes only but I have had some coloured cotton items (with grey stripes, for example) come out fine.

I have also had hydrogen peroxide mixed with water and baking soda recommended to me as a pre-treatment, although haven't tried it yet!

[CMOTDibbler]

Only white things in the wash, Daz or Lidl Formil washing powder (not liquids) and Napisan in the prewash drawer. Don't wash anything not pure cotton above 40 either as it degrades the polyester and makes it dingy.

If they are really dirty and you need to make up a wash later, chuck them in a bucket of napisan to have a good soak

[RubyWinterstorm]

only wash whites with whites

and use Vanish for stains

and use at least 40C temp

[llangennith]

Wash all whites separately. Only way I know to keep whites nice and bright.

[gamerchick]

Do you wash whites with each other and only each other OP? Its a bit of a faff of you don't have many white clothes but it'll keep them bright for longer.

[VeritysWatchTower]

I do a whites wash, no other items are put in, just whites.

Shirts are from Asda and I start with 10 for Ds2 (messy) and 6 for Ds1 (secondary school so jumper on permanently) mainly because they come in packs of 5 or 2. Works out at £2 per shirt.

They are washed every Monday as I refuse to do laundry on a weekend. Just use Persil for whites and Comfort Pure as I like the smell.

[NoodieRoodie]

As all PP have said, only whites together etc then once a month or so soak them in Milton overnight before a wash. I've currently got DS's in a bowl, they come up beautifully

[PovertyJetset]

Vanish powder, one scoop in the drum, biological detergent and if really bad will presoak.