keeping whites - white and blacks - black

rabialiones · 21 June 2005 at 2:39PM

i have a problem with my washing .
although i tend to keep whites and coloureds and blacks seperatly i cannot avoid
whites turning into mucky white
and
blacks turning into shades of red, gray or chalky
i tend to use low temperature washes especially for coloureds
any tips??????????/

thanks in advance

would vinegar help?????????

Pink. · 21 June 2005 at 2:54PM

rabialiones,

You might get more help with this on the Old Style board, so I hope that you don't mind if I move it over there.

Pink

Galtizz · 21 June 2005 at 2:56PM

Try asking Nile, he's an expert at washing, though I'm not sure if his expertise only with stains?

Can't help on keeping blacks, black, sorry

But to keep whites white then try adding 1/2 wash powder and 1/2 soda crystals (you'll find them in tescos on the washing isle hidden away, they are about 50p a bag)

I also add white vinegar instead of softener (well I would, wouldn't I, I'm and old styler

) I promise you, when the washing dries it doesn't smell like a chip shop. I've been doing it for nearly a year and OH hasn't noticed yet and he's very fussy about smells.

Use both of these and you'll get Daz whites every time

blue-kat · 21 June 2005 at 3:09PM

to blacken your faded black clothes, just dye them in the washing machine. A friend redyes her black jeans every couple of months.

use the cheaper powder dyes that come in little tins, they work just as well in the WM as more expensive washing machine packs. Don't forget to add lots salt to set the dye and run the machine through with bleach afterwards to clean out the innards.

will be interested in replies for whites as I struggle with this too, although am very careful to wash whites'n'lights separately. I use Lidl's colour bio powder.
-
blue-kat

squeaky · 21 June 2005 at 3:34PM

Nile sez Persil for whites every time

MATH · 21 June 2005 at 5:42PM

I have found my dark colours stay true much longer since I have started washing them in luke warm water with much less detergent. I was whites in hot water and routinely add bleach they never go grey and dingy even using only a 10min wash time. HTH

terriermama · 21 June 2005 at 5:49PM

What about those indigo coloured cubes my mom and gran used to use long ago? They apparently use to make whites bright and stiff too. Are those detrimental to the environment? Where can I find them?

Nile · 21 June 2005 at 10:46PM

For black garments (eg t shirt), follow the wash care label and use a detergent that is suitable for coloured items..........I use Persil Biological Colour Care Powder. It has enzymes to clean the stains but does not contain bleach or brightening agents. Make sure that you turn the garments inside out before pegging on the washing line so that the sun doesn't fade the colour.

To keep white garments white.........I use Persil Biological Powder. When I used to evaluate the performance of laundry care products in an R&D lab........persil was the best for whites. I don't use a fabric conditioner when washing whites. It makes socks (for example) a bit scratchy but they stay white.

For difficult/heavily stained garments........I use Ariel Biological Powder. It was the best stain remover. We evaluated products from around the UK and the world. I will also use Lenor.

For general coloured (lightly soiled) garment washing, I use Surf Biological Powder........and Lenor.

I appreciate that you have to pay more for the best and you might feel uncomfortable with the (chemicals) formula of these products..........but you have to decide. If you want black garmentss that stay black or whites that stay white.........these products work for me.

If you're happy to wear yellowing whites and grey blacks........use the gloop or other cheap alternatives. No offence intended.;)

I'm still wearing white sports socks that are over 10 years old.........and still white.;)

terriermama · 21 June 2005 at 10:52PM

Hi Nile,
I'm very 'green' so use Ecover, though it's much more expensive. Works as well as those chemical ones I used before I discovered the environmentally friendlier products. What did your lab discover about this brand?

Nile · 21 June 2005 at 11:07PM

I can't comment on the Ecover brand, it wasn't evaluated when I worked in the R&D laundry care lab.

If you are happy with your whites, blacks and stain free garments..........stick with it.

I am happy to pay for Ariel/Persil for the excellent results I see on my garments. I don't have a problem with the chemical formula.......I even wore the Alkalase and Esperase enzymes on my bare skin (Hospital Consultant Dermatologist controlled test) for skin allergy testing before starting work in the lab. I was only allergic to............the micropore tape they stuck the chemical patches to my back with.:rolleyes:

Mado · 21 June 2005 at 11:10PM

blue-kat wrote:

to blacken your faded black clothes, just dye them in the washing machine. A friend redyes her black jeans every couple of months.

use the cheaper powder dyes that come in little tins, they work just as well in the WM as more expensive washing machine packs. Don't forget to add lots salt to set the dye and run the machine through with bleach afterwards to clean out the innards.

blue-kat

Yeah works a treat but BE VERY CAREFUL in the future when you wash the dyed items as they are definitely NOT colourfast.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

keeping whites - white and blacks - black

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