Bleaching is the best way to get rid of stains from white clothes. Let us discuss the exact procedure of bleaching clothes by hands.
White clothes are more susceptible to dust, dirt, and stains. Bleach helps to remove these stains on the whites and helps keep them glowing for a long time. Bleach is a very strong chemical, and hence, must be used with the utmost care. There are two types of bleaches used for washing clothes, viz., chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach. Let us look at the various procedures for bleaching clothes that cannot be put into the washing machine by hand.
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is in the liquid form and all the products containing this chemical that are available in the market have 5% active ingredients in them. There are also powdered chlorine bleaches, however, they are more expensive than the liquid form. Liquid chlorine bleach is also effective in killing germs in the water. In this process, you must remember that it can damage your clothes. There are certain types of clothes which can be washed with chlorine bleach, like dish towels, sheets, pillowcases, white socks, t-shirts, and tablecloths. When washing clothes with liquid chlorine, it is advisable to use only 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water used. Mix the bleach in a lot of water to make it diluted. Always use a diluted mixture of the bleach, otherwise it will damage the clothes. After dilution, mix this mixture in soapy water in which you have soaked your whites. Let the white clothes stay in the bucket for 15 minutes and then wash off the bleach and detergent from the clothes by using ample amount of water. Chlorine bleach must not be used on silks, wools, fabrics with dyes, or colored fabrics.
Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleaches are usually available in the form of powders. This is considered to be safer than the chlorine bleach. Unlike chlorine bleach, the oxygen bleaches can be used for all types of fabrics of different finishes. For using oxygen bleach, mix it in hot water and follow the directions given on the pack. Rinse off the clothes with enough water.
Lemon Juice
There are methods that do not use chemicals for bleaching. One of these methods is using lemon juice as a bleaching agent. Bleaching clothes in the sink is possible when lemon juice is used to wash them. Fill up the sink with hot water and add ample amount of lemon juice to it. Soak your clothes in this water overnight. Next morning, remove these clothes from the lemon water and wash them with your usual detergent. Thus, lemon juice can be used as a natural substitute for bleach.
These were some of the guidelines on how to bleach clothes by hands. Remember to use the right guidelines for the right type of bleach.
