Several months back, I had one reader ask me about my favorite white shirts. And as much as I love a good white button down or tee, I despise how quickly the shirts lose their crisp, fresh look. That was pretty much my reply to that reader question..”that no matter what I buy, they end up looking dingy after a few months..” But, being that they’re pretty much a staple in my wardrobe, it would be a purchase I’d make several times a year.
In response to that readers question, I had another reader, Nicole, comment about soaking her whites in Oxiclean overnight and “how it works like a charm.” Now, of course I’ve seen the over the top infomercials claiming what a miracle product Oxiclean was, but it wasn’t until then, that I even thought to try it.
Later that day, I ran to the drugstore, bought a large bucket, some Oxiclean and soaked four of my white button downs and five of my tees in the solution. After a night of soaking, I threw everything in the washing machine and couldn’t believe the results! BRIGHT WHITE CLOTHES.
I know that many of you are reading this and thinking “DUH! Where have you been?” I immediately text messaged a bunch of my friends and half of them were like “Um…. yea. You didn’t know that?” and the other half shared my excitement from this new found knowledge. Keiko then told me that her mom swore by soaking her whites in a mixture of laundry detergent, oxiclean and a ton of ice cubes. Apparently, this combo is even better than what I described above, but I have yet to try it.
For the few of you who didn’t know this trick (and I do realize it probably is just a few), I just had to share. Apparently I’m the one whose been living under a rock. My whites have brand new life and that’s something that will most definitely save me a ton of money.
The easy steps:
*Soak your whites in a bucket or water + 1 scoop Oxiclean. I fill the bucket to the top and use the end of a mixing spoon or whatever you have on hand, to stir the mixture together.
*Let it soak overnight (or any 6-12 hour period). You don’t have to be strict with this, but I’ve found, the longer I let the clothes soak, the better. Every now and then, I’ll give the mixture a stir.
*Transfer the wet clothes into your washing machine. Add another scoop of Oxiclean inside the actual spinner (not in the separate detergent compartment) and then INTO the detergent compartment, add your usual detergent. Machine wash as you normally would.
All of these directions are also on the back of the Oxiclean box!
Done!
PS: This is NOT sponsored, just something I wanted to share!
photo by Christina Emilie
51 comments
Ivete
Ha ha, I guess I’ve been under that rock with you! I didn’t know about this either. So, a big thank you to Nicole for letting you know and thank you for sharing it with us!
http://www.girlinahotcity.com
July 13, 2016The Fearless Fashionista
Thank you for this. I didn’t know either and will definitely try this!
July 13, 2016brett
I love Oxiclean! I’ve been using it for a long time now, but only when my clothes have an intense stain. I’ve never tried soaking my whites in it overnight. So thank you for the tip! I can’t wait to try it!
http://www.giltedgeblog.com
July 13, 2016Azu
YES! That’s exactly what I use on my whites. People ask me all the time how my whites are so white. I’ve been using it for years and it’s amazing.
xo Azu
http://www.raven-locks.blogspot.com
July 13, 2016sasa
Good to know, haha:P
Shall We Sasa
July 13, 2016Dana Mannarino
This is awesome, I never knew about this trick! Thanks for sharing so candidly!
Pink Champagne Problems
July 13, 2016Jo
Add me to the list I was skeptical that this would be better than what I have been using. But I’m going to buy some and will try this especially on my husband’s white t shirts.
July 13, 2016PS – you look amazing never would have dreamed you just had a baby! Love your blog – you make my day?
Helena
Jo! Thank you so much! And please let me know when you try this and how it works on his shirts.
July 14, 2016Nina
Helena, I would also highly recommend White Distilled Vinegar for everyday use. It’s naturally whitens whites, seals color into to dark fabrics, deodorizes, and softens clothing without breaking down the fibers overtime like traditional fabric softener does. and it is great at keeping armpit stains at bay. 🙂
July 13, 2016Jo
Oxiclean really is amazing when it comes to brightening white clothing! An alternative homemade version is 1 part baking soda, 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water. Works like a charm!
xo, Jo
July 13, 2016http://www.cutandchic.com
Helena
I have to try this! Thank you!
July 14, 2016Jen
Oxyclean stain remover is also great! I spray it all over my white Converse and let it soak for 10 mins. Add laundry detergent and scrub with a stiff brush. Cover wet shoes completely with toilet paper or tissues (it’s weird but somehow keeps the canvas from yellowing ) and let dry. Shoelaces soak in it overnight then are just run through the wash. It’s the best thing to clean a pair of dirty white canvas shoes!
July 13, 2016Helena
Didn’t even think of trying this, but going to let my husband know! He has so many sneakers that need new life. thank you!
July 14, 2016Rach
I totally did not know this so this is definitely amazing!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
July 13, 2016Emilia Dobrydney
Yep I have been living under a rock too–I will be trying this tip ASAP!! Did you use powder or liquid? Thanks for your awesome tips–you’re the reason why I have decent skin again 🙂
July 13, 2016Helena
I used the powder!
And omg, your skin comment made my day! SO happy to hear that. Would love to hear what you changes you’ve made to see a difference!
July 14, 2016Emilia Dobrydney
Thanks so much for your feedback–and it was the type of cleanser I use as well as how I wash my face that I changed! I switched to all BR products and although I don’t have a huge variety I see a huge difference from just switching to a milk cleanser and lotion P50! Thanks again for your tips they truly do make a difference and your style is a huge inspiration!
July 14, 2016Carolyn
does Oxiclean work better than color-safe bleach?? I swear no matter how much I soak with that, my white don’t get any whiter!
http://heyprettything.com
July 13, 2016Helena
Hi Carolyn!
Personally, it works better for me than color-safe bleach!
July 14, 2016Alyssa Amato
This is the perfect post! Love the tips! xx
http://www.fashionsensored.com
July 13, 2016Kate
What ratio of Oxiclean to water did you use?
July 13, 2016Helena
Hi Kate!
I got a standard size bucket and I use one scoop of oxiclean and then fill the bucket *almost* to the top. Probably three quarters full!
July 14, 2016nat
i really want to get some of my white clothes whiter again so these tips are great!!
July 14, 2016xx
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Trendique
Oh what a great article! <3
xo Vanessa from http://www.Trendique-Magazine.com
July 14, 2016Caitlin
Oh man, I am one of the few. I desperately need to try this on my white Chucks! Those things lose their white in a heartbeat! Thanks so much for posting, I love this!
http://www.tailoredandtrue.com
July 14, 2016Rosie
Ah, I needed this post! Thanks for sharing.
July 14, 2016xx, R @ http://www.thegirlinpolkadots.com
Lera
Great tips! I usually just drop it off at the dry cleaners but all the chemicals they use make me feel uncomfortable. I’ll try this instead.
July 14, 2016Ann
Well, guess I too have been under a rock! I’ve been so upset in the past by a ruined / yellowed / dingy white shirt so this is JUST AWESOME – thank you!!
July 14, 2016Nancy
I was just at the store today and pick-up the *new*
OxiClean White Revive. Have you seen it yet ?
https://www.amazon.com/OxiClean-White-Revive-Stain-Remover/dp/B00QKIHXCE/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468527767&sr=8-1&keywords=oxiclean+white+revive
July 14, 2016Monika
Such a useful post!
July 14, 2016Love,
http://www.thestyleventure.com
Pallavi
I should have invested in Oxyclean! I presoak my kids’ clothing in it, as well, and highly recommend the spray bottle version to anyone with an infant or a toddler (or both!) Those diaper blowouts and food battles can produce serious stains, as you will soon discover.
July 14, 2016google mail
Good to know, haha:P
July 14, 2016Betsy
I have a lot of white clothes, and thanks for your share
Coco | http://www.missygowns.com/
July 15, 2016Weekend Whimsy Vol. 103 - PreppyPanache
[…] Tips for getting your whites back to white. […]
July 15, 2016Marina L
LOVE their products! Oxiclean baby will get all those stain from your baby clothing!
July 15, 2016OxiClean® Spray-A-Way (hard to find in the storse) is always in my bag. It saved me and my friends so many times,..even red wine stains on vacation.A Must have!
Andrea
I love wearing white, but always get stains all over my clothes! This is such a great tip!
http://www.thebeautydojo.com
July 15, 2016Tiffany of Macarons and Coffee
Thanks for this post!!
July 15, 2016John
How much did you get paid for this? You know you are required by the FTC to disclose that this is a paid brand partnership with OxiClean.
July 17, 2016BrooklynBlonde
Hi John,
July 18, 2016Not a penny. This wasn’t a paid collaboration by any means. Just something I discovered (thanks to a reader) and felt excited to share.
Slow clap Sunday: opinions, financial stability, and Black Lives Matter - What's up Maddy
[…] How to get your white shirts white again: I’m one of those people who never heard of the oxyclean tip. I’ve always used bleach but Helena of Brooklyn Blonde showed me another way. […]
July 17, 2016Elizabeth
I *LOVE* oxyclean. Beware to not go crazy soaking too much as it does weaken the fabric. I’ve had some thinner, gauzier beach coverups as well as my duvet cover end up ripping after many oxyclean soaks.
Another thing that helped me immensely was switching to crystal deoderant (the roll on version). No more thick, yellow deoderant stains on my nice white clothes.
July 20, 2016Liv
Such helpful tips! Thanks!!
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
July 27, 2016CAt
Does doing this weaken fabric? Im in marching band, i march the crash cymbals, and we have long fitted gloves that are white we wash them and whiten them every 2 werks and mine are the only gloves that have holes and weak spots.
August 25, 2016Stacey
I also swear by the Oxyclean stain stick for baby/toddler stains. I put it on a stain and throw into the laundry basket to set in until laundry time. No soak needed and everything comes out! A mix of Oxyclean and water also got red wine out of my expensive white wool rug. A Mom’s Bestfriend!
November 2, 2016lenny face
This is such a great tip!
November 24, 2016anna
Also, if you happen to have a blood accident during your… Um period, you can soak it in oxyclean overnight in cold water and the stain is gone by morning. Saves me from tossing out pajamas or underwear!! ✨
February 21, 2017Valeria
Regular hydrogen peroxide in the bottle actually works wonders and you don’t have to soak it. Just put some on and it will bubble up, then rinse it with water. Should be good to go.
September 4, 2017Kim
HUGE fan of Oxi-Clean *BUT* it will disintegrate anything with elastic after a few washings. Watch out for your socks, bras, and undies, stretch jeans, stretch tops. I’ve been using Oxi-Clean since it first came out and I love, love, LOVE it! Unfortunately, the rubber killing is real. 🙁
March 6, 2017aPARTEMEN CAMBIO LOFTS
Thank you for this. I didn’t know either and will definitely try this!
Ha ha, I guess I’ve been under that rock with you! I didn’t know about this either. So, a big thank you to Nicole for letting you know and thank you for sharing it with us!
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May 29, 2017Deborah
I am so going to try these amazing tips especially on my daughter’s school t-shirt. Thanks for posting
June 28, 2017