Even if you always carefully separate the colors when sorting laundry and especially wash the white laundry separately, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life it can quickly happen that you overlook something. How did that little red sock sneak in with the white things? The beautiful blouse quickly becomes discolored and the trouble is great. Sometimes we just don't feel like separating the laundry items and think that they have already been washed out sufficiently and that the color won't rub off. That's often true, but not always. In addition, there is also the annoying gray haze over time. And if the inevitable has now happened to you, you are probably asking yourself the question “how do I get discolored laundry white again?”. Are there home remedies that work alongside the classic bleach? We have researched for you and collected tips from grandma's secret box so that yousave discolored laundrycan.
Well, you can decolorize discolored laundry. For this purpose, if you use theHome remedies from our listYou can do this with both white and colored laundry. Of course, you should also separate them when removing the color and not treat the pink colored panties and the formerly yellow blouse at the same time. This could possibly just create new, undesirable color effects. Home remedies are also more suitable for cotton, as the colors are easier to wash out. But that doesn't mean you can't still try synthetic fibers. So: the white laundry is discolored – what to do?
- If possible, act straight away and don't let the laundry dry first. This only further fixates the “wrong” color.
- Home remedies are gentler on the fabric than chemical bleaches and are initially preferable.
- Be sure to use bleach and other chemical decolorizing agents according to the manufacturer's instructions!
Treat discolored laundry with baking soda or baking powder
If your white laundry has turned yellow or has a different color cast, you can try to remove the haze with the help of caustic soda (or baking powder). To do this, simply add two packets of baking powder ora packet of baking sodainto a bucket and fill it with approx. 5 liters of hot water. Make sure that the bucket is large enough and that there is room for the laundry as well as the water. Leave the affected clothing to soak in it overnight. You then have to wash the discolored laundry again to wash out the baking powder/baking soda residue.
Tipp: If the discoloration is severe, you can also add a little baking soda to the detergent during the washing process.
citric acid
If you would like to use citric acid to remove discoloration from laundry, fill a bucket again with hot water, which you then mix with the juice of squeezed lemons - the ratio is: juice of 2 lemons to 5 liters of water. Then let the discolored laundry soak in this solution overnight or at least for a few hours. Then rinse the items of laundry with clean water and then put them in the washing machine as usual.
Save discolored white laundry or colorful ones with vinegar
Like citric acidVinegar also works, which you already have ready-made liquid at home. This means you can save yourself the step of squeezing the lemons. To do this, mix a tablespoon of vinegar with 5 liters of hot water and soak the discolored laundry in it overnight or for a few hours. Then wash them in the washing machine. Don't worry about the smell as it will go away.
Laundry discolored – what to do? Dishwasher tabs are your savior
We have already shown you some things for which youUse dishwasher tablets in the householdcan. We're now adding laundry decolorization too! Fill a wash bowl or bucket with 5 liters of hot water. Dissolve four or five tabs in it and then soak the discolored laundry. You should let the tabs work for 10 to 12 hours before washing the laundry normally in the washing machine.
The next time you notice discoloration in your freshly washed laundry, you might as well take care of it right away, before it has even dried on the drying rack. Simply start the washing machine again and wash the affected textiles at 40 degrees using a dishwasher tablet.
By the way, you can too in the same wayUse denture cleanerand dye discolored laundry white or return it to its original color.
Decolorize discolored laundry with soda
Soda has a bleaching effect, which you should also keep in mind if you want to decolorize colored laundry. Soda is best suited when white laundry has turned pink or has taken on another undesirable color. Simply add a tablespoon of it to 5 liters of water and then soak the affected textiles in it for about 5 hours. Then rinse the item of clothing well with clean water and wash it in the usual cyclein the washing machine.
If all else fails: chemical bleaches and color removers
If all the other remedies have not achieved the desired effect, you can also treat discolored laundry with good old bleach or color remover and try your luck. Be sure to adhere to the specified dosage when bleaching discolored laundry so as not to cause further damage to the textile. The product is usually put in the washing machine together with the affected items of clothing.for more stubborn stainsYou can also soak them in a solution first. Keep in mind that such chemical agents still damage tissue to a greater or lesser extent and, more importantly, harm the environment!
Avoid discoloration caused by colors or gray haze – preventative measures
It is of course best to prevent discoloration from occurring in the first place by separating the laundry thoroughly before washing. However, this cannot prevent the annoying gray haze that appears sooner or later. What can you do to prevent discolored laundry?
- Clean the washing machineregularly!
- When sorting the laundry by color, make sure that no “intruder” sneaks in. This is usually an overlooked sock or pair of panties.
- You sorted thoroughly, but there was still something there that shouldn't have been there? Maybe you didn't miss it while sorting! When you empty the washing machine after washing, take a closer look to make sure you haven't forgotten a small piece of clothing. This could lead to discoloration the next time you wash it.
- The miracle cure prevents both discoloration and fading of the colorsVinegar. It binds the color pigments in the fibers so that they not only stay in the right item of laundry, but also appear much brighter, as vinegar also removes any limescale residue from the fibers. And the latter are also to blame for the gray haze. So you kill two birds with one stone. Simply add a splash of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment.
By the way, vinegar doesn't just prevent discolored laundry. It is also a perfect fabric softener replacement with the same effect, just without the risk of allergies. You simply put a cup of it in the fabric softener compartment. - If you have already discolored pieces, treat them as soon as possible, before they have even dried. If this is not possible, at least avoid using the dryer as the heat will set the paint.
- The hotter you wash colored laundry, the greater the risk that the color will come off and be transferred to lighter textiles. Therefore, wash them at lower temperatures. This also protects them from fading.
