Greying underwear

Primrose

Any magic solutions for bringing back some rather greying but perfectly good underwear back to a nice white condition again?

Will soaking in Vanish or bleach do the trick?. Am rather worried bleach might damage the elastic parts. Thanks.

PasturesNew

Napisan was recommended on this thread for a white linen coat that'd yellowed.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5664388

elf06

I once managed to wash all DS's school whites, my bra and my work clothes with an inky pen (not a biro type the kind that has the ink in an internal chamber). I was furious with myself as I'd checked pockets and things! Anyway I tried to order new school clothes and couldnt get any in his size over the weekend so I resorted to cheap 50p bleach in the sink. It worked!! I'd not recommend it for weekly washing or anything but in an emergency it saved me!! I was worried about the elastic but after soaking I just made sure I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed.....you get the idea!

VfM4meplse

I'd be more concerned about the risk of a skin reaction than the elastic.

Everyone has once-whites that are now less than Dulux Brilliant White, its nowt to be ashamed of.

zippychick

this older thread may help. Do let us know what works

Zip

jackyann

I think that using Vanish just once or twice won't harm the elastic.
I keep my whites white by never washing them with any other colour. That way.

[Deleted User]

how about dying them a different colour

Slinky

I seem to recall seeing something on TV many, many years ago, might have been on Tomorrow's World (remember that?). White clothing has 'optical brighteners' on it - basically little bits of chemical that reflect the light and make it look all shiny white, rather than the fabric itself. I think you'll even see them listed in washing powder ingredients. The problem is that washing the clothes washes out these optical brightners, and once they've gone, they've pretty much gone, despite trying to stick new ones on with washing powder. So the answer is wash your white less to keep them whiter for longer.

helcat26

You can get that stuff for net curtains- Glo-White


It really depends on the fabric the underwear is made of. If it is cotton bleach might rot it, and it also does not help elasticated fibres.


Some underwear fabric - like the sheer tuff in things like this
http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/lingerie/white-floral-embroidered-thong_520078619


Seems to be a dye magnet. Even if you wash white separately it seems to pick up anything residual in the drum.


On the bright side Gossard are having a sale.
I am sorry Primrose I am assuming you are a lady:)

Primrose

I have just soaked the greying items in a Vanish solution of hot water for 3 hours and hung them out on the line to dry. They do look much better !

gonebust

I learned years ago that the only way to keep white undies white, was to was them completely separate

I could have a bra sitting in my laundry bin a month before there are enough delicate whites to form a wash

99% of undies are now black for said reason

And in this day and age where bra straps are perfectally acceptable to be on show, I'm not worrying about wearing a black bra under a light top