Bleach in the washing machine?

[stalebananabread]

Can anyone tell me - an idiot - how to use bleach in the washing machine? I have two sets of white bed linen that are varying shades of grey to yellow, and some cotton t-shirts with old food stains.

Can I just use normal down-the-bog bleach? How much? In the drum or in the drawer? Is 60 degrees OK, or hotter? Does it need an extra rinse? So many questions.

I've tried using ecover laundry bleach and it did precisely nothing.

[greenlynx]

I always use vanish oxi action for whites. The big pot is often on offer here or there so it’s not very expensive but it’s very effective. I do extra rinse after to get rid of smell but it’s personal preference.
I don’t think you can use ordinary bleach in a washing machine but you can soak in diluted bleach before washing definitely.

[13luckyblackcats]

I often put ordinary bleach in for whites or for a last resort to rescue things, pop it in the drawer and put it on a hot wash. 60 is fine. Just a squirt or two will do, otherwise you end up with loads of suds. I also do an empty 90 wash with bleach to keep the machine clean. Never had any problems.

[Indoctro]

If using bleach with whites you need to wash them first with detergent to remove sweat etc as bleach turns sweat yellow

Wash first then add bleach and wash again on 60 or 90

[5zeds]

There’s no point in putting bleach in a hot wash. Rinse through with cold first or soak in a bucket of cold water and bleach

[AuntyFungal]

I soak stuff in a bucket before I wash in the machine.

Napisan - usually with the nappies in the supermarket.

[Anordinarymum]

I found Vanish brought my grandsons T shirt back to a brilliant white after soaking it and then washing it. Try it !