How to Clean White Sheets

A lot of fabric care labels discourage washing with chlorine bleach, even on white cotton T-shirts. But, detergent alone is often not enough to thoroughly clean whites. Extensive testing and research show it’s safe to use Clorox® Bleach as directed on many items.

As an alternative to chlorine bleach, you can use a laundry additive like Clorox® Clothes Stain Remover Supreme Whitener or Clorox® Clothes Ultra Stain Remover for Whites.

Before you start washing, we always recommend you do either a bleachability or colorfastness test. More information on these tests is included below after the washing instructions.

To Wash:

1. Add

   Fill Clorox® Bleach to the maximum line of your washing machine's bleach dispenser. If your washing machine does not have a bleach dispenser, add 250 ml of Clorox® Bleach to top-loading machines or 125 ml to front-loading machines. Add your favorite detergent.

   Alternatively, add 100 ml (2 capfuls) of Clorox® Clothes Stain Remover Supreme Whitener or 1 scoop (30 g) of Clorox® Clothes Ultra Stain Remover for Whites along with your favorite detergent.

2. Wash

   Start your normal wash cycle. For best results wash at 40°C. Always check the fabric care label.

Test for bleachability

To make sure the item is bleachable, you can do a quick bleachability test. Make a solution of 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of Clorox® Bleach and 1/3 cup of water. Apply a drop of this solution on a hidden area of the fabric. Rinse after 5 minutes and dry. If there is no color loss, you can safely use liquid bleach on the item as described above.

There are some fabrics and materials that should never be bleached. These include: wool, silk, leather, spandex and non-colorfast items.

Test for colorfastness

Before using Clorox® Clothes Stain Remover Supreme Whitener you should test for colorfastness. Place 1 drop of the product on a hidden part of the fabric. Wait 5 minutes and then rinse the area. If there is no color change or loss you can safely use the product.

To test for colorfastness before using Clorox® Clothes Ultra Stain Remover for Whites, dissolve 1 scoop of the product in a cup of warm water. Soak a hidden area of the clothes in the mixture for 20 minutes. Then rinse and let air dry. If there is no color change or loss you can safely use the product.