Grey sheets that should be white

[Sheila]

I change bedsheets and pillows (white 100% cotton) once a week and wash them in biological washing powder. They are a few years old (ahem) but still in good nick so I don't want to replace them, but they are all grey in the middle. Pillows are particularly gross I am ashamed of my washing line. I've tried Glow White to no avail. Should I bleach them or what?

Can't quite believe I'm agonising about "keeping my whites white" but yes it has come to this.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

What I tend to suggest if you can't get things white again is why not dye them a completely different colour? Dylon do washing machine dyes that are easy to use and as the sheets are 100% cotton they should take really well

HI sheila, new to mumsnet today, looking forward to lots of support and good advice. happy to help others if i can..
i have successfully bleached pillow cases, as long as you put them thru a full cycle afterwards, shouldnt b a problem..dunno about sheets tho due to the size, unless you try it in the bath!

Hi, does anyone know of any type of buggy board will work with the quinny buzz?

Have you tryed adding half a cup of bicarb to the washing along with your usual amount of washing powder? Its supposed to make your whites brighter.

I do the same as Betty- all my towels are now dark green after being a avriety of mismatched shades

what temp do you wash them on?

Hang it out in the sunshine, folded so that the grey patch catches the most sun. Leave it there for a couple of days (even if it rains) then wash again. Works on nappies, don't see why it wouldn't work on sheets.