How to Make Sheets White Again

Crisp, white sheets are a joy to sleep on. There’s just something intangible about jumping into a set of sheets that look so clean and fresh. However, the unfortunate thing about white is it’s the easiest color to stain, so it probably won’t take long for even the brightest sheets to start fading and turning yellow.

The good thing is there are tons of ways to mellow the yellow and get your sheets looking brand new again. Below, we’ll talk about some solutions you can use to remove stains as well as prevent them from happening in the first place.

Methods for Making Sheets White Again

There are tons of ways to get stains out of your best sheets and make them bright as new. The stain cleaning method you choose will depend on several factors, including your tolerance of chemicals, the delicacy of your sheets, and the severity of the stains.

Baking Soda

A tried-and-true solution for memory foam mattress cleaning, baking soda is also great for sheets because it lifts stains rather than lightening them. That means it’s gentle enough for most machine-washable fabrics, even delicate ones. It’s also easy to use. Just add half a cup of baking soda to your regular detergent and run the sheets through your normal wash cycle.

White Vinegar Solution

White vinegar is a natural solution that can help lighten stains and remove unwanted color from white bedding. Mix a vinegar solution with a ratio of a half-cup of white vinegar to every gallon of water and soak your sheets for an hour before machine washing.

Liquid Bluing

The cool primary color blue counters the warm primary color yellow, so if your white sheets have a yellow tinge, rather than being stained with food or beverages, liquid bluing might be your best solution. Avoid directly adding the blue liquid to your sheets, as it could stain them. Rather, dilute it based on the instructions that come with the bottle and pour it into your washer along with your regular detergent. Never put liquid bluing in your washer’s dispenser because it can stain that as well.

OxiClean White Revive

This brand-name solution can effectively remove tough, set-in stains. To pre-soak, mix a scoop of White Revive with 4 gallons of water, using enough water to completely submerge your sheets. Allow the OxiClean to dissolve completely before adding sheets. Once the OxiClean dissolves, give the water a stir, add the sheets, and soak for 1 to 6 hours. Remove bedding after the soak and wash as usual.

Lemon Juice

If you’re looking for an all-natural whitener, lemon juice might be it. Citric acid is a natural bleaching agent, so squeezing a lemon into your detergent before washing your sheets will help remove yellow stains. It also has the added benefit of eliminating odor and leaving your sheets with a pleasant lemony smell.

Borax

Sold as a whitening laundry booster, this white, powdered mineral can be found at most stores. To whiten your sheets using borax, mix half a cup of powder per gallon of water and soak your bed linens in this solution for around 8 hours. Then wash with a mild detergent.

Bleach

For really stubborn stains, it might be best to bring out the big guns. You will need to be careful using chlorine bleach on white fabrics because it can react with your body oils and dead skin cells and actually deepen the yellow cast on your sheets. For that reason, you should wash your sheets with regular laundry detergent first. Then, you can run them through another wash cycle with half a cup of bleach.

FAQs

Can I machine wash my sheets?

It depends on the fabric they’re made of, but generally, yes. Most sheets are machine washable. If you’re unsure, you can always check the care instructions on the label or in the packaging before tossing them into the washing machine.

Is it better to line dry or tumble dry?

Sunlight can help naturally bleach white sheets, so hanging your sheets outside on a bright day is better than tossing them in the dryer. Just make sure to place your clothesline far away from trees/power poles/etc. to avoid staining them with bird droppings or leaf litter. Also, be careful about allowing your sheets to bake for more than a couple of hours because prolonged exposure to heat can damage the fabric.

How do I prevent my white sheets from yellowing?

Sheets yellow over time because of the build-up of dead skin cells, sweat, and body oils. Washing your sheets frequently and showering before bed can help reduce the amount of oil and dirt in your sheets and delay yellowing.

In addition, you can do other things like:

• Avoid eating in bed to keep spills from staining your sheets
• Launder your white sheets separate from colors
• Remove makeup before bed
• Don’t use fabric softeners (they can deposit color)

Which is better, hot or cold water?

Warm and hot water does a better job of lifting stains from white and light-colored linen or cotton sheets. It also has the added benefit of killing allergens.

Remember to always check the care instructions before washing any set of sheets, but generally speaking, warm water should not damage most fabrics.

How frequently should I wash my sheets?

It’s usually best to wash your sheets about once a week, and this is especially true for white bed sheets. Any buildup of skin, oil, and dirt can sap their whiteness and leave them looking dull and yellowish.

Bottom Line

The reality is all sheets have a shelf life, and for white sheets, the natural aging process is always going to lead to some degree of yellowing and dinginess. They’re also more susceptible to stains from everything to food, sweat, body oils, and even your skincare products like face creams and moisturizers. Thankfully, you can ward off stains and slow the aging process through proper care, regular washing, and the use of whiteners and stain removers.