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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Swapping all towels to white from coloured...how do I use laundry bleach?

34 replies

RVN123 · 19/10/2021 17:35

I love thick good quality towels and am absolutely fed up of replacing my coloured towels (grey) as they are being inexplicably bleached with faded out marks. No-one will own up to it but I think its a combination of whitening toothpaste? hair products? I'm not sure. Really peed off as they were not cheap but I'm starting to have to fold them on the towel rail a certain way to hide the 'stains' (just where the colour has bleached out) so I need a solution.

So I've decided to replace all my bath towels for good quality 700gsm white towels.

I would like to keep them looking good by using laundry bleach for whiteness. I know about the Oxy action type powders that you pop in with the normal washing power, but does anyone use actual laundry bleach?

I've googled a bit and it said it is added to the 'bleach drawer' of your washing machine but I don't have one? Can I just chuck it in with the white towel/sheet load directly into the drum?
I was thinking of the Ecover Laundry bleach powder, or alternatively, I've seen solid bleach 'tablets' - can these be used in the washing machine?

I lived in the States for a while and I seem to remember this was a thing and it brought out my whites really well, but it doesn't seem to be such a thing in the UK?

Who uses laundry bleach for their white towels and sheets, what kind do you use and how do you use it in a UK washing machine?
Thanks!

OP posts:
Palavah · 19/10/2021 17:37

Sorry, I use vinegar!

BeetleyCarapace · 19/10/2021 17:42

I have white towels and I just use a bio detergent powder. They have optical brighteners in them, I've never needed to use any additional bleach.

Cynderella · 19/10/2021 20:02

Hot wash with washing powder and soda crystals (for benefit of machine rather than towels and sheets). I avoid bleach because I think it's so bad for the environment , but I do have some Napisan that I use in white washes occasionally in the winter when I can't take advantage of sunlight.

WhenDoISleep · 19/10/2021 20:05

I use the ecover laundry bleach - I just pop it in with the washing powder in the detergent drawer.

FreshFreesias · 19/10/2021 20:08

Ecover

DespairingHomeowner · 19/10/2021 20:26

In the US, laundry bleach is used to sanitise as the top loaders traditionally used get their hot water out of the house water heater, so it doesn't get as hot as in a front loader. Its not necessary if you do a hot wash (60 or 90) in a front loader, and TBH the same products are not available here.

I would not suggest you use bleach in your machine as can corrode the pipes: use soda crystals or vanish etc instead, & a bio powder as PP have said

Meanwhile: does anyone in your house use pimple cream OR e45? I have had mystery bleached out spots on my towels due to both of these culprits

PigletJohn · 19/10/2021 20:29

I agree with @Cynderella

White cotton towels do well in a hot hot hot wash with soda crystals and a half measure of powder. No fabsoft.

In fact, if you add soda crystals, you will probably not need any powder, because they will dissolve the resident soap sludge in the machine and it will foam up more than you expected.

the soda will also leave the towels softer, and will remove fabsoft residue (which is wax) that makes them grey and reduces their absorbency.

PigletJohn · 19/10/2021 20:32

p.s.

most washing powders contain bleaching agents. The few that don't are marked "for colours"

Liquids and gels generally not.

ponkydonkey · 19/10/2021 20:35

Daz is basically bleachy washing powder! Hot wash

Or I just use bio on a hot wash.... and a bit of ace if needed.

ponkydonkey · 19/10/2021 20:37

But now I'll be using soda crystals 😀

Although I no longer live in hard water area like London.. absolutely no white towels in that limescale

theneverendinglaundry · 20/10/2021 09:27

I agree with others, hot wash with washing powder (which will contain bleaching agents and optical brighteners) and soda crystals. You can put in some oxy bleach like Ecover or Vanish if the powder needs some extra oomph.

namebunny · 21/10/2021 22:16

Do they have a thread like this on dads net I wonder…..

thelegohooverer · 21/10/2021 23:02

Washing powder contains bleach but the liquid ones don’t.

If I need to use bleach I just soak the item in diluted bleach for a short while, rinse and wash as normal.

Etinoxaurus · 21/10/2021 23:07

@namebunny

Do they have a thread like this on dads net I wonder…..
I love a good housekeeping thread, but my first thought was what a waste of money time and energy. Keep folding them cleverly @RVN123
namebunny · 22/10/2021 03:44

Ha! I know, and it’s a jolly good thread!
Always wondered how hotels keep everything so white

Buttons294749 · 25/10/2021 21:56

Do the soda crystals go mixed in with the powder in the drawer?

DespairingHomeowner · 25/10/2021 22:33

@Buttons294749

Do the soda crystals go mixed in with the powder in the drawer?
Yes - I’ve started using recently and does seem to make a difference
gogohm · 25/10/2021 22:47

I found having struggled with it for years the best option is to buy towels from asda, really fluffy and not too expensive so I replace every 2-3 years (relegated to swimming, holidays and then dog)

EskSmith · 25/10/2021 22:50

Biological powder and hang them outside whenever possible. No other bleaching required. I have white towels which are over 10 years old - still white :)

PeaceLily2000 · 25/10/2021 22:52

I have white face cloths and I add ace for whites (laundry bleach) to my pre wash drawer and use a bio washing pod. They've been washed countless times and always come out bright and white.
Also drying outside in sunshine when the weather allows!!

Cynderella · 25/10/2021 22:54

Years ago, when money was really tight, I started making washing powder - it was basically half and half grated soap and soda crystals. I now mix it with a large box of washing powder, partly for the scent and brighteners but also because it keeps powdery for longer.

I used to put it in the drawer, but now I just put in half the clothes, add a scoop of powder to the drum and then fill. I don't use the drawer at all, so no longer have to clean out all that gunge.

Mrsdoubtfireswig · 25/10/2021 22:59

I’ve never needed to bleach white towels, they’ve always seemed to maintain their ‘whiteness’ and go on the line to dry during the summer

However I found random things have bleached my coloured towels - the worst being foundation for some reason

notocovid · 27/10/2021 01:17

I think in the past my coloured towels have suffered bleach marks from touching surfaces previously cleaned with antiseptic wipes. I switched exclusively to white towels several years ago and they are still looking pretty good. I just use persil colour even though they are white then tumble-dry.

notocovid · 27/10/2021 01:18

The problems I had with coloured towels made me suddenly realise why hotels only seem to ever have white ones.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/10/2021 01:23

Meanwhile: does anyone in your house use pimple cream
The benzoyl peroxide ones have a massive clue in their name! If anyone uses those then that would explain it for sure.

My white bath mats are fine on eco 40-60 wash with normal bio liquitabs. Same with white sheets.