White Clothes Yellowing: The Magic Ratio to Perfectly Reverse Discoloration
๐ก The Destiny of White Clothes: The Magic Formula to Reverse ''Yellowing''
Everyone loves white clothes for their clean, crisp look, but with time or improper storage, it''s hard to avoid ''yellowing''. The yellowing is primarily caused by oxidized residues of sebum, sweat, and protein that were not removed during washing, or by the deterioration of optical brighteners. While standard detergent can never reverse this, I''m sharing the ''magic ratio'' to perfectly restore yellowed white clothes at home with simple ingredients.
๐งช The Magic Formula for Yellowing Restoration: Oxygen Bleach + Dish Soap
Yellowing is an oxidized protein stain, so you need both oxygen-based bleaching power and grease-dissolving ability to break it down.
๐ Ingredients and the Magic Ratio (The 1:1:1 Principle)
| Ingredient | Ratio | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium Percarbonate (Oxygen Bleach) | 1 | The main agent, generating oxygen bubbles to break down the yellow color |
| Neutral pH Dish Soap | 1 | A secondary agent, breaking down residual body oils and grease to aid bleach penetration |
| Hot Water (60 | 1 | The solvent that activates the detergent and oxygen bleach (Water temperature is very crucial!) |
โญ Use the ratio of ''1 Soju Cup: 1 Soju Cup'' for a standard laundry tub.
๐ ๏ธ 3-Step Restoration Method for Yellowing
1. Activate Oxygen Bleach with Hot Water:
- Put the yellowed white clothes into a tub and pour in hot water (60โ70ยฐC) just enough to submerge them. (Water that is too hot or boiling can damage the fabric.)
- Add the sodium percarbonate first and dissolve it completely to activate the oxygen bubbles.
2. Add Detergent and Soak Sufficiently:
- Add the neutral pH dish soap to the dissolved oxygen bleach water and mix well.
- Soak the white clothes for 30 minutes to 1 hour. For severe yellowing, soaking overnight is also recommended. (However, do not soak clothes with metal fasteners for a long time.)
3. Rinse Thoroughly and Dry:
- Discard the soaking water and rinse several times with clean water to ensure no residue remains.
- Add half a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse to neutralize residual alkalinity, making the fibers cleaner and softer.
- Dry the clothes in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, and you will see your white clothes turn magically bright again.
This restoration method is most effective for sebum-based yellowing on white clothes. Don''t give up on your yellowed garments!