How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Do you have sheets that are looking dull and yellow? Or maybe they’re grey or have stains? Then you may be interested to know there are a variety of methods to make sheets look white, clean, and bright again. We have discussed some of these methods below so you can make your sheets look good as new!

Please note though that some of the ingredients used for whitening can be damaging to your fabrics. Make sure to test them on a small area first!

How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

How to Make Sheets Whiter

Method 1 – Use bleach

Chlorine bleach is a powerful whitener for yellowed sheets. However, this method is not for colored sheets. Even a small drop of bleach can discolor clothes and permanently whiten/fade them.

To use bleach to make your sheets whiter, use the following steps:

  • Start your washer. Add the detergent in the detergent cup.
  • Once the washer is filled with water, add the bleach. Use about 3/4th cup of bleach for the entire load.
  • Now add the dirty sheets and complete the washing cycle.
  • Always check your sheets’ tags to ensure they’re bleach-safe.
  • If your sheets have some colored patterns or prints, make use of other methods to whiten them instead of bleach.
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 2 – Use OXY cleaners

This method of whitening sheets is safer for colored fabrics. When you cannot use bleach, you can use OXY cleaners. It’s a powerful stain remover, a gentler way of removing yellow coloring and stains on sheets.

  • Start by checking the fabric labels. Make sure the manufacturer has allowed the use of non-chlorine bleaches.
  • Directly pour the OXY-cleaner on the stains.
  • Leave it on for half an hour and then wash the clothes like usual.
  • You can also make a solution of OXY-cleaner and peroxide in water and soak the entire dirty sheet in it for a few hours prior to washing.
Comfortable,Bed,With,White,Linen,At,Home

Method 3 – Use distilled white vinegar

Vinegar is a simple home remedy for cleaning sheets and brightening yellowed sheets.

  • Simply add ½ a cup of distilled white vinegar to the washer.
  • You can use detergent to wash the sheets as usual.
  • For tough stains, soak the sheet in a solution of white vinegar and water (1:1).
  • You can also mix vinegar with baking soda and apply it on tough stains. Wait for an hour before washing as usual.
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 4 – Treat tough stains with peroxide

Peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is a great remedy for stain removal. It is readily available in any grocery or drug store.

  • Spot-treat the stains with hydrogen peroxide.
  • For cleaning and whitening the entire sheet, add a cupful of peroxide to a bucket of water and soak the sheet.
  • Allow a standing time of at least 30 minutes – the longer the better.
  • Launder the sheets as usual.
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 5 – Use bluing products

Bluing laundry products like Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing Concentrate offset the yellow/gray color of your sheets, making them look whiter. You can safely whiten sheets with bluing liquids made specifically for laundry.

*Please note that bluing is not a stain remover. It will only whiten whites, but you must spot-treat stains with other methods above. And never use too much bluing liquid, as it can turn your sheets blue. Always super-dilute it before use.

If you have a front  loader washing machine, soak your yellow sheets with a few drops of blue in a tub filled with water. Soak for a few hours and then launder as usual. If you have a top load machine, wait until the machine is filled with water before adding the diluted blue into the detergent dispenser cup.

How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 6 – Dry the sheets in the sun

Sunshine is a natural bleaching agent. You can easily use it to whiten and brighten your whites.

  • Simply wash and launder your sheets as usual.
  • Then hang them out to dry in the sun.
  • The powerful UV rays will reduce the yellow color and brighten your sheets.
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 7 – Use baking soda

Another common kitchen ingredient – baking soda –  can also easily help you remove stains and brighten up sheets.

  • Make a paste of white vinegar and baking soda.
  • Apply it on the stains. Leave it on for a few hours.
  • Wash off as usual.
  • You can also add a cup of baking soda to a bucket of water and soak the sheets for a few hours. Wash as usual.
  • Another effective and easy way to use baking soda for whitening sheets is to simply add ½ a cup of it in the washer’s detergent dispenser. Run the cycle as usual. Use more soda if you have a larger load.
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 8 – Use lemons

Lemon is a natural bleaching agent that can help brighten whites.

  • To a bucket of water, add about ½ a cup of lemon juice along with some lemon slices.
  • Soak the stained and dull sheets in the bucket for a few hours.
  • Launder as usual for cleaner, whiter, and brighter sheets.
  • Avoid using this method on colored sheets.
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 9 – Use borax

Borax is a natural compound that boosts the functioning of your detergent.

  • Add borax to your detergent and add the detergent to your washer.
  • Run the washer as usual.
  • Say hello to whiter sheets!
How to Make Sheets Whiter – Top 10 Methods

Method 10 – Use dental cleaning tablets

Use denture cleaning tablets to clean and whiten dull and faded white sheets.

  • To a basin full of water, add 1-3 denture cleaning tablets.
  • Soak the sheets for a few hours.
  • Remove and launder as usual.

Some Tips and Warnings

  • Use detergents and laundry soaps specifically made for whites.
  • Wash all whites separately.
  • Always test the product/method on a small area first before using on a larger area. This will prevent large-scale damage.
  • It is best to use warm or cool water for washing sheets. Avoid very hot water as it can weaken the fabric.
  • Never mix any harsh chemicals and detergents as it could create toxic fumes.
  • Avoid using harsh cleaners on silks, wool, and other delicate fabrics.
  • Always dilute bluing products and bleach before use.

Conclusion – How to make sheets whiter?

Dull and faded yellow sheets look unsightly and old. Thankfully, you can brighten them up using one of the methods above. If one method doesn’t work, move on to the next method.

We hope this brief guide helps you get brighter and whiter sheets!

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