Hello!

I was given some white linen for my wedding and both the pillow cases and sheets have turned yellow. I have tried napisan to no avail. It’s that disgusting yellow from body oil (I assume) as the pillow cases are particularly bad. Any suggestions for getting linen white again?


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  • Add 1/2 cup of baking soda with normal detergent at the beginning. Then, at the start of the rinse cycle, pour in half a cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. These two natural whiteners also have a softening effect, so you can skip the fabric softener.


  • I’d try proper bleach, otherwise probably can’t get them white again


  • When everything fails, I would dye the bedlinen in a different colour, like soft blue, beige, pastel green, soft pink…depending on the colours of your interior


  • I would try strip washing with borax (as long as you aren’t pregnant)


  • I would try diluted bleach


  • When I have white fabrics etc turn yellow, I soak it in a bucket of white king bleach over night then wash it like normal the next morning.
    Comes out white every time :)


  • Thanks everyone – I asked mother in law what they do in the hotel where she works and she said the linen often gets soaked for up to three days in a tub with water and domestos. She said they have to do this as people often put their make up on the towels, pillows etc. I’ll try this and failing it I think new linen could be in order


  • thanks for the question as I too have linen which is really lovely but ruined by turning yellow over time.


  • To be honest, I couldn’t be bothered after Napisan and bleaching! If those don’t work – bin time and a great excuse to buy gorgeous new linen!


  • Do you mean shampoo on the sheets or my hair? Lol! I’m constantly at my husband who thinks a once a week hair wash is sufficient


  • If it’s body oil you can try scrubbing with shampoo and a toothbrush before washing in the machine. Best use shampoo for oily hair.


  • oh i wondered that. i was given some a long time ago and they sat in the cupboard for ages and went yellow. i just stopped using them


  • I use this method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-eMmvpQeoQ&feature=youtu.be using baking soda, laundry soap and vinegar, works every time!


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