There are several natural remedies you can try to restore the brightness of clothes yellowed by the sun.
Why Sunlight Can Yellow Your Laundry Summer is a favorite season for many, not just for beach trips but also because laundry dries quickly in the warm sun. However, excessive sun exposure can sometimes cause clothes to yellow. If this happens, don’t worry—there are effective ways to fix it. Here’s what you can do.
How to Handle Sun-Yellowed Clothes While summer offers many pleasures, including quick-drying laundry, the intense sun can occasionally cause clothes to yellow. This can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean your clothes are ruined. Several natural remedies can help, and they’re easy to implement.
Citric Acid for Whitening Sun-Yellowed Laundry One effective method to whiten yellowed clothes is using citric acid. This eco-friendly and biodegradable compound has strong whitening properties. To use it, dissolve 150 grams of citric acid in a liter of water, then soak the yellowed clothes for a few hours. Afterward, rinse them thoroughly and let them dry.
Vinegar and Salt: A Classic Solution An old-fashioned remedy involves using white vinegar and coarse salt. Pour half a glass of white vinegar and two handfuls of coarse salt into a basin of cold water. Soak the sun-yellowed clothes for several hours or overnight. After soaking, wash them in the washing machine at a high temperature for best results.
Baking Soda for Stubborn Stains Baking soda is another versatile ingredient that can remove yellow stains caused by sun exposure. Simply dissolve three tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of hot water, then soak the clothes for a few hours before washing.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Deep Cleaning For a more intensive treatment, hydrogen peroxide is highly effective. Mix 20 grams of baking soda with 250 ml of hydrogen peroxide (10 or 12 volumes). Apply the mixture directly to the stains using a toothbrush, let it sit, and then wash as usual.
Lemon Juice: A Natural Whitening Agent Lemon juice is another excellent natural remedy. Squeeze the juice of a lemon into a container of water, and use a microfiber cloth to dab the mixture onto the stained areas. After letting it sit for a while, rinse the clothes and hang them to dry.
Sodium Percarbonate for Powerful Whitening Sodium percarbonate is a strong, eco-friendly whitener that works best at high temperatures (30-50°C). You can use it for hand washing by soaking the clothes overnight, or simply add a scoop to your washing machine. Either method will help restore your clothes’ original whiteness.
With these natural solutions, you can easily bring your sun-yellowed clothes back to life, keeping them as fresh and bright as ever.
