How to Wash White Clothes, According to a Cleaning Expert

A helpful guide to preserving your favorite pieces.

Whether you have successfully found the perfect white T-shirt or are still on the hunt, it's no exaggeration to say that laundry day is of prime importance in keeping that all-importance item well, white. And then, of course, life gets in the way: to save time, we mix darks and lights in the same load, or we spill tomato sauce on pasta night, or we use a little too much bleach and everything turns up pink. It happens! And here's the thing: it doesn't necessarily mean your white T-shirt (or any of your white clothes, for that matter) is ruined.

So, what is the right way to wash white clothes, both in general and when stains happen? We're taking the guesswork out of wash day with the help of Alex Wojenski, a cleaning expert at Grove Collaborative, who shares all of her best tips below.

Washing Tips

Always separate your whites.

A little extra work in the laundry room goes a long way. According to Wojenski, separating your white clothes from your dark clothes is a tried and true practice that helps prevent any unintentional bleeding of colors, adding that "washing with other colors can also eventually dull whites." Ergo, keeping them separate will not only preserve their coloring but also their brightness.

Hot water isn't always necessary.

Wojenski told us that while many people wash their white clothes in hot or warm water, it's not necessary unless your whites are "especially soiled or have a stain." Washing in cold water will be just as effective and—bonus—more eco-friendly.

Stain Removal

Before tossing a stained white garment into the wash, Wojenski recommended using a brightener "to lift the stain and dullness from clothing to restore the original brightness."

If your garment has dried before or after pre-treatment, Wojenski also suggested using vinegar to dampen the area before pre-treating or washing. She shared her techniques for specific stain removal below.

Dirt or mud

Dirt or mud will come out of white clothing, but you first have to make sure any residue is removed before tossing it in the washing machine. If it's wet, Wojenskin said to let the mud or dirt dry, crumble it off, then use your finger to gently remove the rest (do not rub or push on the area, as this will cause the dirt to set into the fabric).

"Spray with a stain remover and blot gently until the stain has dissolved," Wojenski advised.

Blood

Whether we're talking about the occasional period stain or paper cut, blood stains happen. The good news is that they aren't impossible to get out of white garments. Simply spray the area with either hydrogen peroxide or a powerful Stain Remover Spray and let bubbles form.

"Once the bubbles have stopped, rinse under cold running water and repeat until the stain has faded," instructed Wojenski.

Follow up by washing with other whites, on a hot setting, and with your favorite detergent ASAP.

Chocolate

We hate to waste chocolate, but sometimes, pieces find their way onto our white blouses. First, remove any lingering bits, then with either a liquid laundry detergent or soap (note: Wojeski said Castile Soap or Dish Soap work especially well), rub gently to create suds.

"Rinse with cold water and repeat until mostly removed and then treat with a stain remover as needed," added Wojeski.

Pasta sauce

"Pasta sauce stains can be especially tricky as they are made up of oils, water, and are also acidic," Wojenski explained.

Ergo, getting them out of white clothes is a bit more hands-on and time-sensitive. The first step is to remove any excess sauce by running cold water from the reverse side of the garment to not set the stain further. "From here, the process is similar to removing other stains," Wojenski assured. "Apply a small amount of liquid detergent or dish soap to the affected area, and starting from the outside of the stain, gently rub in circular motions inward until it is sudsy and the entire area has been agitated."

Wojenski added, "Rinse again with cold water. After rinsing, apply white vinegar and let sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and treat with a stain remover. Rinse thoroughly and repeat applications of stain remover until the stain is gone."

Sweat

Though a daunting task, Wojenski told InStyle sweat stains can be taken care of. Most prominent on the underarms of T-shirts and dress shirt collars, these types of stains are best treated by spraying the affected area and surrounding areas with a generous amount of stain remover until completely saturated.

"If you are working with a heavier dress shirt, especially around the collar or area that can handle some pressure, use a toothbrush (designated for this task) and work in circular motions to scrub the stain," Wojenski continued.

She added, "If you are working with less durable material, a damp wet white cloth can be used instead. It will take some time before there is progress, but keep at it. Eventually, the stain will begin to lift. Rinse with cold water and reapply stain remover as needed. Wash immediately after treating on a hot setting with a booster."