Get whites white again?

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 31, 2015

When you get another one try applying Scotchguard to thoses areas to keep them from becoming stained

elkpark · Dec 31, 2015

I get good results with OxyClean (or similar product; there are store brand versions that cost less). You can let the item(s) soak in a solution of it before laundering. It's safe with colors.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Dec 31, 2015

Besides spray starch, the above post is what I do

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 31, 2015

Never thought of scotch guard! How often is good to re-starch it?

And I figured OxyClean. Wasn't sure if there were any other magical things out there. How long do you usually let it soak?

I never cared about my whites as a student. Now my office makes us wear the coats. *sigh*

Dogen · Dec 31, 2015

If the thread is color fast you can use regular bleach. Even Clorox says so (this link has directions). I dated a girl who bleached everything every third or fourth time she ran a load, and all my clothes were still colorful. :)

lunchboxRN · Dec 31, 2015

You might try bluing your coat, such as with Mrs Stewart's Bluing Whitener (not Martha). This works if some of the stains are yellow, like around the collar.

For the ink, I have has success with hairspray to remove it. Also, for permanent ink, if you apply rubbing alcohol right away you can take it out.

I havent tried bluing myself yet, but this was the common recommendation from clean queen sites for getting white sheets nice again. Interestingly, bleach reacts with proteins like body oil and makes them more noticable...

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 31, 2015

Yes to much of what LunchBox RN said.

Also, in the past I've used milk to remove stains.

How To Remove an Ink Stain with Milk & Vinegar Ã¢Â€Â” Apartment Therapy Tutorials | Apartment Therapy

My white school scrubs did become a strange shade of yellow/grey after being worn once per week and bleached weekly.

For this reason, I don't bleach my whites regularly anymore. I use bluing or I use whitener found in the laundry section of the store.

https://jet.com/product/detail/7024654f4e864aac822a2b64cf3bdb5b?jcmp=pla:ggl:cwin_home_garden_a3:household_supplies_household_cleaning_supplies_household_cleaning_products_a3_other:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&k_clickid=3e13a75e-bf00-0908-ebb5-00004d799045&gclid=CjwKEAiAwZO0BRDvxs_1w-qFnhkSJABo10gg4_V_9nWFIUkKv4hxR6lNE5_w--xAfs0QD8sTOU7-YxoC4NLw_wcB

elkpark · Dec 31, 2015

My white school scrubs did become a strange shade of yellow/grey after being worn once per week and bleached weekly.
For this reason, I don't bleach my whites regularly anymore. I use bluing or I use whitener found in the laundry section of the store.

Chlorine bleach (e.g., Clorox) only "works" (the way you're expecting) on natural fibers like cotton. It turns synthetic fibers yellowish. Most scrubs and lab coats are cotton/synthetic blends (typically, mostly polyester with a small amount of cotton). That's why you don't get good results with chlorine bleach on scrubs and lab coats (unless they are 100% cotton).

DoGoodThenGo · Dec 31, 2015

Best stain remover for oils, ink and similar stains; Fels Naptha soap, the older vintage stuff which is still easily found. From nasty shirt collars, lipstick, ink, etc... the stuff works magic.

Trick to keeping whites "white" is to wash them often using hottest water as fabric can withstand and a good detergent. The longer you wear shirts or other clothing that comes into contact with any part of your skin it gives sebum time to build up and oxidize. This is the yellowing you see on shirt collars, pillow cases and even sheets.

Back in the days of caps you'd see a similar band of dirt/yellowing along the fold where the cap rested upon one's hair. This of course was a sign of slovenliness as all "nice" girls took their caps home or sent them to the laundry at least once a week. *LOL*