· By Carl Pronti
The Secret to Whiter Whites with The Pink Stuff
There's nothing worse than sorting out your whites only to find everything has turned grey, yellow or pink! Whether it's t-shirts, underwear, or socks, it's frustrating, and you're not asking for too much from your detergent. Sometimes, though, your laundry detergent needs a helping hand to eradicate stains and discolouration, and it starts with you.
Pre-Treat Your Whites
First, be careful as you sort your laundry – everyone has faced the inevitable slip-up of leaving a dark item in a white wash. Your whites will stay whiter if you ruthlessly sort your laundry. To keep it simple, have separate washing baskets for whites and colours. Use a wash bag for more delicate whites.
Fast Treatment is Crucial
If you have discoloured whites or stains on clothing, the quicker you treat them, the better. The Pink Stuff Oxi Whites is tough on stains and gentle on fabric, which makes it an ideal pre-soak treatment. You need one scoop and three litres of water combined. You should give your clothing an hour maximum to soak, and then you can wash as normal. Alternatively, you can add a scoop to your detergent drawer alongside your everyday detergent. If you have tough stains, pop two scoops into the drawer.
Tackle the Stains
The Pink Stuff Oxi Spray is ideal for spot-treating stains. If you are dealing with blood stains, red wine or soda stains, ink, or another tough stain, the Oxi Spray is just the ticket. Like its powdered counterpart, Oxi Spray is up to the challenge of tackling tough stains without harming the fabric and it's suitable for use on whites and colours. It's easy to use; simply spray it on both sides of the stain and let it set for five minutes before starting a washing cycle or hand washing. However, it shouldn't be used on dry clean-only items or delicate fabrics (upholstery, silk, leather, wool).
Washing Your Whites
Whites generally wash better on a 40-degree Celsius setting, so bear that in mind when you select your washing cycle, but always consult the manufacturer's washing label to be sure. If you can hang your washing out to dry in the sun, that is a helpful way to whiten your whites, as UV rays can have a bleaching and disinfectant effect.
However, using a whitening product alongside your everyday laundry detergent is going to be one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. It's the only way to guarantee the stains come out and keep the discolouration at bay. This is especially true if you live in a hard water area because hard water is rougher on fabric. So, for residents of Southern Australia and Western Australia facing hard water and Queenslanders with moderately hard water, whitening aids are a must.
Shop CleanHQ
In addition to pre-treating your whites, you should stay on top of your washing machine's cleanliness. Not only should you regularly clean the drum, but you should add the filter to your quarterly cleaning schedule. CleanHQ stocks a wide range of cleaning products, whether you're looking for products to keep your whites whiter or a cleaning pack to tackle the entirety of your home. We have everything you might need to build an efficient cleaning kit.