Never use bleach to whiten your yellowed bed sheets, says cleaning expert

White sheets can start to stain naturally in the summer due to the build-up of sweat and body oils, causing them to turn yellow. It may seem like common sense to use bleach on faded bed linens to get them white and shiny, but it’s actually one of the worst products to use on sheets.

Lauren Fountain, bedding expert from the Sleep Foundation, explained: “Chlorine bleach is quite harsh and can degrade the fibers and shorten the life of the bedding.” “If you use it regularly, it can turn your sheets yellow as it reacts with body oils and proteins on the fabric.”

Instead, it’s better to use natural cleaners that will be gentler on your sheets but still incredibly effective at getting them white again, and all you need are some basic closet staples, reports Express.

Lauren said: “The answer is simple, cheap and environmentally friendly: baking soda, vinegar, washing up liquid and lemon juice, all basics you probably already have at home. Vinegar is a natural fabric conditioner, while lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent, and the acidic nature of both products can help break down stains.

“Dish soap is better at removing sweat stains and can help penetrate the fabric to get rid of any build-up, while baking soda increases the effectiveness of these products.

“To bleach bed linen, all you have to do is place the sheets in a basin or large bowl and pour warm water over them. In the mixture include one cup each of white vinegar and lemon juice, half a cup of baking soda and two tablespoons of dish soap. Stir with a wooden spoon until completely dissolved and then leave to soak for at least 30 minutes, if the sheets have lost their color, you may need to let them soak even longer.

“When it’s time to wash, opt for a cold water cycle which should rejuvenate your sheets, returning them to their original brilliant white.”

The advice doesn’t stop there: it’s best to dry the washed bedding outside on a sunny day, rather than throwing it in a tumble dryer. “The sun’s ultraviolet rays have a bleaching effect, helping to keep your sheets white,” explains Lauren. “Plus, they’ll smell amazingly fresh!

“Drying sheets in the sun not only has the benefit of natural bleaching, but also eradicating bacteria. However, this process is best accomplished over two to four hours of exposure. At the end of this care regimen, your sheets will be sparkling white again Concluding her advice, Lauren adds, “That’s it.”

Simple, cost-effective and natural way to keep your bed linen perfectly white so you can enjoy their fresh and crisp look and feel night after night. Enjoy!