Getting white clothes clean can be tricky unless you use the right product (Image: Getty)
During the holiday season, more people are going on muddy countryside walks and eating chocolate which means it will take more work to get white socks and t-shirts clean.
It may seem obvious to get rid of tough by them in bleach, but this is one of the biggest laundry mistakes you can make as it can cause white fabric to turn yellow.
Bleach is simply too harsh on clothing and is also not very effective as it cannot break down the compounds in certain stains to get rid of them and can actually bind them further into the fabric.
Allison Hess, an expert from , has shared that natural alternatives are not only safer to clean with but are more powerful at breaking down tough stains.
She said: “Chlorine bleach quickly whitens your clothes and sheets, but it also brings with it irritation, toxins, and even carcinogens (cancer-causing particles).
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Lemon juice can naturally break down stains so you do not have to use bleach (Image: Getty)
“In addition, bleach doesn’t always do what it sets out to; it can actually react with polyester and turn the fabric yellow.”
Instead, one of the “strongest” laundry cleaners that works wonderfully to get rid of stains is lemons as they contain citric acid.
Allison said: “Lemons are natural whiteners and brighteners—plus they add a clean scent to your laundry.
“You can add a quarter to half a cup of lemon juice in with your regular laundry detergent for a clean and gentle whitening boost.”
The citric acid in lemon juice is incredibly efficient in cutting through tough, greasy stains, which makes it perfect to use at Christmas, as it can break down most food and drink stains.
Not only does lemon juice remove dissolved stains but it also has mild bleaching properties when exposed to sunlight to help lighten white clothing.
Hanging clothes outside to dry helps get them whiter and cleaner (Image: Getty)
How to use lemons to wash white clothing
If your white clothing is extremely stained then presoak it in lemon juice before sticking it in the laundry machine.
Simply fill a basin or bathtub with hot water, then add lots of lemon juice or lemon slices. Next, add your white clothing and let it soak for one hour before washing it like normal.
Then, add lemon juice to the detergent drawer of your laundry machine while doing a regular wash. Wash on a warm cycle unless the care label specifies cold water.
If you can, hang your white laundry outside. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight react to citric acid, helping to whiten the fabric and break down any remaining stain particles.
Allison said: “After you wash your whites, leave them out in the sun to dry. This will make your fabrics whiter, fresher, and lighter, and they won’t be submitted to heavy heat.”
Once your clothes are dry they should be completely clean and stain-free so you can enjoy Christmas without worrying about your laundry piling up.