HOW TO WASH WHITE CLOTHES THE RIGHT WAY
Keeping your white clothes stain-free may seem daunting, but mastering the right techniques can help boost your confidence when it comes to those pesky loads of whites that often pose a challenge. Use this guide to discover the best cycle settings, wash temperatures and additives to use when washing whites. Plus, get answers to common questions about separating whites from darks, removing stains and best practices to help keep your whites bright for longer.
HOW TO WASH WHITE CLOTHES IN A WASHING MACHINE
The right laundry day routine can help you keep white clothes looking bright. Follow the five simple steps below to learn how to separate clothes, choose the right additives for your load and pick the most effective cycles and settings.
STEP #1. SEPARATE CLOTHES
Sort your laundry into two piles: one for plain whites and another for embroidered whites and light pastels, tans or grays. Wash these two piles separately.
STEP #2. PRETREAT STAINS
To tackle stains, start by blotting or scraping off any excess residue. Rinse the area with cold water from the inside out, then apply an enzyme detergent or stain remover directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
For delicate fabrics, use a gentle detergent and cold water. Lightly squeeze the fabric to work the detergent in, being careful not to damage the material.
STEP #3. CHOOSE ADDITIVES
If you’re using bleach, make sure it’s the right type. Chlorine bleach is great for whites and colorfast fabrics but can damage delicate materials like wool and silk. For a gentler option, try oxygen bleach to help keep whites bright. Always check the care tag to see if bleach is safe for your fabrics and which type to use.
You can also boost whiteness by adding baking soda to your wash cycle, directly into the drum, or adding a whitening solution alongside detergent.
STEP #4. SELECT WHITES CYCLE
Some washers—like select top load and front load models from Maytag brand—include a Whites cycle that takes the guesswork out of washing whites. The cycle uses very warm or hot water, fast spin speeds, an extra long wash time and an extra rinse to clean thoroughly. If your washer doesn’t have a Whites cycle, choose hot water and add an extra rinse.
Make sure you check care tags for fabrics that shouldn’t go in warm or hot water—like certain wool, cotton, linen or silk items—and wash those pieces separately in a cycle with cool water.
STEP #5. CHECK FOR STAINING
The heat from a dryer can set stains, so double check that treated stains are completely gone before you transfer whites to the dryer. If you see any hint of lingering stains, pretreat and rewash your clothes.
HOW TO KEEP WHITE CLOTHES BRIGHT
Common household products and a handful of simple practices can help prevent your whites from getting dingy over time. Explore the following tips to help keep your clothes looking crisp and vibrant.
Soak in oxygen-based bleach: Soaking in oxygen-based bleach (rather than chlorine-based bleach) can help brighten whites, but it can be a time-consuming process. Check your bleach product packaging for details. Be sure to check clothing care tags first, as this method isn’t suitable for fabrics like wool, suede or silk.
Use baking soda: Mix water and baking soda in a spray bottle, then spritz it onto your clothes and let them soak for an hour to brighten them up. You can also sprinkle baking soda directly into the washer drum (not the dispenser) to help boost your laundry’s brightness.
Soak in vinegar: Create a mixture of vinegar and hot water, then allow clothes to soak for anywhere from one hour to overnight. Rinse whites thoroughly before you toss them in the washer for cleaning.
Use a whitening solution: Add a whitening solution to brighten your whites and help tackle any color bleeding. Just follow the instructions on the solution’s packaging, as they can vary by brand. You can use these solutions to pretreat stains or add them to your washer alongside detergent.
- Dry outdoors: Drying clothes outside can naturally brighten fabrics and may give your clothes a crisp, fresh look and smell.
BEST WAYS TO REMOVE STAINS FROM WHITE CLOTHES
Getting stains out of white clothes can be the difference between retiring an old favorite and adding it back into your wardrobe rotation. From red wine to foundation, use the tips below to help you tackle tough stains on white clothes.
Act fast: Move quickly on fresh stains to help prevent them from setting. If you can't treat the stain right away, soak your clothes in a mixture of water and laundry detergent until you’re ready to tackle it.
Blot stains: Avoid rubbing a stain, as it can spread or sink deeper into the fabric. Instead, blot or scrape off any excess as soon as possible, or try rinsing from the inside out to flush it away.
Use enzyme detergent: Detergent with enzymes can help break down stains and dirt faster, thanks to an accelerated chemical reaction. Use an enzyme detergent to work out stains more effectively during pretreatment.
Use the right water temperature: Warm or hot water can help fight some stains, but most need a cold water pretreatment to break them up first. Use this guide to learn how to tackle different types of stains.
- Check the stain before drying: After washing stained clothes, always check to see if the stain is gone before you toss them in the dryer. Heat can set residual stains and make them harder to remove. If the stain is still there, pretreat and wash the garment again.
WASHING WHITE CLOTHES: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Knowing how to sort your laundry, choose the right water temperature and select cycle settings can help your whites stay bright. Check out the FAQs below for tips on keeping your whites looking fresh and ready to wear.
DO YOU WASH WHITES IN HOT OR COLD WATER?
Washing whites in hot water can boost stain-fighting power and help keep clothes bright, but there are exceptions. Certain fabrics, like wool or linen, may need a cold water wash to help prevent shrinkage. You should also pretreat most types of stains using cold water.
WHAT IS THE BEST SETTING FOR WHITE CLOTHES
Some washers make it easy to handle white clothes with a dedicated Whites cycle. This cycle usually includes a longer wash time, an extra rinse, a fast spin and very warm or hot water—all designed to tackle tough stains. If your washer doesn’t have a Whites cycle, you can still get great results by choosing warm or hot water and adding an extra rinse.
Remember to check the care tags for your laundry load before you choose your cycle and settings, as some white fabrics can be delicate and might shrink in hot water.
CAN YOU WASH COLORS WITH WHITES?
Always separate vibrant, bright and dark colors from your white clothes to prevent any color transfer mishaps. While you can wash some lighter colors with whites, it’s a good idea to make a separate pile of plain white clothes to wash on their own. Then, you can wash whites with prints or embroidery with softer shades like pastels, light grays or light browns.
CAN YOU DRY WHITES AND COLORS TOGETHER?
You likely know to keep whites and colors separate in the washer, but the same rule applies when drying. It’s better to dry your whites in their own load, separate from other colors. Throwing wet clothes in together can lead to colors bleeding into your whites as they tumble, and colored garments can shed pilled fibers or lint that might cling to lighter fabrics.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® WASHERS AND DRYERS
Maytag® washers and dryers offer powerful and convenient features to help keep laundry day on track. Select washers include a built-in water faucet that lets you rinse, spot treat or soak clothes right in the washer. The Extra Power button—on select washers—boosts stain fighting on any wash cycle, and Advanced Moisture Sensing in the dryer monitors inside moisture and air temperature to help evenly dry loads.
