Help with white washing - eco friendly

Holly_Berry

Hi
Its my first post and was hoping someone could help.
I use eco washing stuff but my partner takes part in fencing and what he wears is all white stuff. It gets really dirty with yuck sweat and grime and find that I can't get things white again.
Can anyone recommend something that is eco friendly to get the whites white again!

Thanks in advance!

karren

My son wears white polo shirts to school and they seem to go grey quickly so I'll watch this post with interest too

gayleygoo

I'm interested in replies to this thread too, my OH does jujitsu and his white gi has turned a rather creamy colour, it comes back soaked with sweat too! I use homemade washing powder too so it doesn't have the same stain-shifting power as normal washing powder.

I usually put a scoop of vanish in each white wash, but it doesn't do what it promises on the tub. It maybe stops it getting too much worse, but it's nowhere near white! I tried soaking it in the stuff too but that didn't shift much either.

Have you tried putting it on the washing line outside? Even if it's too cold or damp to get clothes dry the clouded-over sun will still brighten them up. If you get a bright, dry day put the clothes outside even if it's already dry! Everything looks duller in winter when it only gets dried indoors.

Justamum

I use Surcare washing powder (one 25ml scoop) with 1 scoop of soda crystals, and in a white wash I also add a scoop of the powder oxygen bleach. My daughter wears white polo shirts for school and doing this they're still white.

I do think washing action has a lot to do with it though as it's the water going through the fibres which loosens and removes the dirt. Since I bought an LG washing machine my washing has been cleaner than it was with the Hotpoint we had at our old house.

Seakay

These were brilliant for adding oomph to a wash
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21371/Dolly-Washer-Balls
but you could improvise with rubber balls maybe?

I use a scoop of powdered oxygen bleach as well - usually get it from Home Bargains or similar.

ArtDecoGirly

Biotex isn't bad for the environment and they sell it in local supermarkets

dragonette

I use vanish oxy, soaked in the bath for 2 days or so if really bad. The perils of white bedding, a manual outdoor job and brightly dyed hair in my case. Agree with the vigorousness of the wash, doesn't need to be a higher temp but a more intense wash def helps

Giftcardproblem

Fencing clothes are made of special material that has been tested for strength. There are international rules governing the material. Its very important that the fabric is not damaged by washing at the wrong temperature or with the wrong chemicals or being tumble dried if its not meant to be machine dried so you need to follow the manufacturers instructions. Ring them up for advice.
If you wash the clothing as soon as possible after it has been used and line dry it in the sunshine that can help too.
HTH

Holly_Berry

Hello all,

Thank you for your replies and suggestions. And Giftcardproblem I didn't even think about the fact that fencing clothes are made of special material - I would hate to ruin his clothes!!!
Unfortunately I can not dry outside but will make sure items are washed as soon as he has fenced. And will check with the manufactures if some of the items you have suggested will be ok to use on the items.
Thanks again!

parkgirl

Putting them outside in frost and then finishing the drying inside makes them nice and white and soft

DigForVictory

+1 for beg steal or borrow line space in sunlight.
Even dubious school shirts come up better.

With washing, 98% of the cleaning is in the "agitation" - worth trying the old copper & dolly as a washing routine & fitness routine combined!