Liquid chlorine bleach is a powerful tool for sanitising and brightening white linens, but there is zero room for error once you open the bottle.

Because towels and bedding absorb high levels of body soil (stuff like body oils, dead skin flakes, sweat, etc), occasional bleaching is an effective way to deeply disinfect fabrics and break down microscopic residue.

However, using it incorrectly can backfire. If applied directly to organic proteins like sweat, it can trigger a chemical reaction that locks in stains and turns fabrics yellow.

To get that ultra-bright look without stripping away fabric strength, here is how to use bleach correctly every single time.

Before opening a bottle of bleach, set your washer up for success with a few crucial pre-checks.

First, decode the care tag on your linens. Look for a solid or open triangle symbol to confirm the fabric is bleach-safe. If you spot a crossed-out triangle, avoid chlorine bleach entirely because it will permanently ruin the material.

Next, watch your detergent levels. Always pay attention to the detergent’s suggested amounts on the bottle and follow them closely. Too much detergent creates soapy residue that traps dirt in the fibers, while too little won’t clean properly.

And finally, avoid overstuffing the machine, which prevents water and bleach from circulating evenly. For top loaders, only fill the drum about three-quarters full.

For front-loading machines, use the palm trick : you should be able to easily fit your hand vertically between the top of the laundry pile and the top wall of the drum.

Source link