How to Bleach White Towels Without Ruining Them

How do five-star hotels get bleach white towels so pristinely white? A lot of stay-at-home moms have probably wondered about this at some point. It may not be simple, but it is possible to restore the natural color of a white towel that has been stained. If you're looking for tips on how to bleach white towels and achieve that hotel-like pristine white, we've got you covered.

How to bleach white towels

On the other hand, it’s a known fact that white objects are notoriously difficult to clean and preserve. You may find it frustrating to watch the stain cling to your fluffy white towel even after repeated attempts at washing. However, you won’t need a professional cleaner after reading this article and following the simple steps herein. Read on if you want to know how to bleach your white towels at home.

Read: How To Keep White Bath Towels White?

Is bleaching white towels safe?

We found that regular use of bleach in addition to detergent did not accelerate the deterioration of materials beyond what would have occurred with just detergent washing.

However, bleach-safe linens can still be ruined if the proper care is not taken during the laundering process. This includes soaking the laundry for longer than recommended, filling the bleach dispenser in the washing machine to its maximum capacity, and applying bleach directly to the towel sets without diluting it. In addition, you can prevent yellowing and other signs of wear and tear by using bleach as directed on the package.

Method for bleaching white towels

Wash white towels with bleach by following these instructions will ensure that your towels and linens are clean and bright white:

An Excess of Cleaning Agent Using Chlorine

Among the many cleaning products available, chlorine bleach is a popular choice. To restore their classic, crisp white color, many people wash their bath towels, pool towels, and washcloths in bleach to get rid of stains and grime. It’s a potent weapon for bleaching towels, but it can be harmful if you don’t use it properly.

That being said, moderation is the key to enjoying everything. Over-bleaching with chlorine bleach is bad for clothes and can turn them yellow. Over-bleaching natural textiles, such as cotton, reveals their yellow core. The same holds for synthetic fibers formulated with a synthetic polymer that is yellow in color. If you decide to use chlorine bleach, read the directions on the bottle carefully.

Step 1:

To begin the process of bleaching your towels, load them into the washing machine first. Find out how many towels you intend to bleach and use that information to choose the appropriate load size. Make sure there is not too much laundry in the washing machine.

It will be more difficult for the agitator to fully clean the load if the clothes are packed in tightly together.

Step 2:

Raise the temperature of the hot water to its highest possible setting. Choose a cycle that uses hot water and lasts at least half an hour. Towels will come out cleaner if the water temperature is raised higher. Always check the label on your towels, as they may have special instructions on how to care for them. Some types of towels cannot be cleaned with boiling water. If this is the case, you should cook the food at the highest temperature on the label.

Step 3:

Follow the directions that are printed on the top of the detergent bottle to ensure that you only use the appropriate amount of detergent. So you get the most out of your built-in detergent dispenser, be sure to fill your washing machine up to the “max-fill” line. Suppose the detergent does not come out of a separate dispenser in your washing machine. In that case, you can combine it with the hot water as it is poured into the machine.

One of the most common uses for the cap that comes on laundry detergent packages is a measuring cup. Check the instructions on the bottle for the appropriate amount of detergent to use for your load size. Then, when doing the laundry, check to see that you are using the proper amount of detergent. When using detergent, it is essential to find the optimal balance between cushioning the load, limiting the washing efficiency, using too little soap, and having towels that are not clean. Finding this balance can be challenging.

Step 4:

Combine 12 cups (120 mL) of bleach with 1 US quart (950 mL) of water in a mixing bowl. Combine the water and bleach in a large container, like a bowl, measuring cup, or a bucket. When applying bleach, it is critical to carefully follow the instructions on the packaging because the appropriate amount can vary.

Step 5:

After the agitation has been going on for five minutes, the bleach should be poured into the washing machine. Add 8 ounces of Clorox® Bleach or Clorox® Scented Bleach*, 3.5 ounces of Clorox® Clothes Stain Remover Supreme Whitener or 1 ounce (two tablespoons) of Clorox® Laundry Stain Remover Intense Whites. The bleach dispensers on washing machines require 1/2 cup (120 mL) of bleach, which should be poured to the “max-fill” line until it is full. The device will ensure that bleach is supplied at the appropriate times. When using front-loading washing machines that lock once the cycle has begun, include the bleach diluted in the load alongside the detergent.

Step 6:

Close the door of the washer, and the cycle will continue as usual. After the wash cycle is complete, the towels can be dried by either being placed in a dryer or being hung up to dry. Repeat the necessary process to get the towels as white as possible; if they are not white enough, start over. If you want your clothes to be white and absorbent, you should forgo using fabric softener.

Our Take

To get the brilliant white appearance you want for your towels, chlorine bleach is one of the essential chemicals you need to use. However, it is vital to apply it appropriately. A few helpful suggestions are included below for your consideration.

• To prevent the bleach solution from breaking down over time and becoming less effective, it is essential to soak your towels in it within the first 24 hours after it has been mixed.
• Towels should never be treated with solid bleach directly.