Bedding can become stained and dingy if sweat builds up on the fabric over time (Image: Getty)
Nothing is better than jumping into a soft bed with fresh sheets, but if you have trouble keeping your bedding white, then you may be using the wrong products.
Pillow covers and bedsheets become dirty as sweat can build up in the fabric and cause yellow stains to appear on your bedding.
It may seem obvious to use bleach to clean bedding, but Jodi Brungardt, a home decor expert and founder of Lyndale Drive, has shared that she has tried it, and it only worsened the stains.
Jodi said: “My mom used bleach on everything white, and for whatever reason, she could keep whites just that, WHITE. Not me, seems everything I bleach, turns yellow. So after all my research (trial and error) I discovered bleach is my enemy!”
Bleach cannot get rid of sweat or body oil in fabric as the chemicals will react to protein-based stains and set them deeper into the material instead of removing them.
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A simple but effective way to clean bedding is to soak it in white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice (Image: Getty)
Instead, Jodi discovered that the best way to clean bedding and get it white again is to use natural ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Jodi decided to soak her stained bedsheets in a basin filled with white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice, and she was amazed by the results.
She said: “This time, I added about a cup of white vinegar, a couple of heaping tablespoons of baking soda and lemon juice to the gallon of water.
“Remember making volcanoes erupt in 5th-grade science class? This mixture has the same effect….there was lots of bubbling, fizzing and smoke going on.
She added: “I got busy with another project, so I don’t know exactly how long I let them soak, maybe six hours, but look! The yellow dingy-ness is GONE!”
This homemade laundry solution will not only remove stains from bedding but also help brighten the material naturally without having to use harsh chemical products.
White vinegar contains acetic acid which is able to dissolve sweat stains (Image: Getty)
White vinegar contains acetic acid, which dissolves sweat stains and kills bacteria on the sheets, helping to clean the bedding.
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which not only removes stains but also has a natural whitening effect, helping restore dull or dingy bedding.
Baking soda is highly absorbent, helping lift stains and remove musty smells, so your bed sheets will be much fresher.
You can soak the bedding in a basin filled with warm water, lemon juice, white vinegar, and a few tablespoons of baking soda.
Leave the bedding to soak for a few hours, or overnight if you can, and the stains should begin to break down.
Once the time is up, place your bedding in the washing machine like you normally would, but add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the detergent drawer along with your normal laundry detergent.
Your bedding will be fresh and completely clean after hanging it up to dry (Image: Getty)
Place it on a normal wash cycle, and once it is done, make sure to put it on a rinse cycle. Add 120ml of white vinegar to where you would normally put your fabric softener.
When the laundry is done, hang them up to dry rather than use a tumble dryer.
If you can, hang the sheets outside, as sunlight also has natural bleaching properties. If it is too cold, you can dry them indoors.
Jodi said: “I didn’t put them in the dryer. Personally, I think the dryer ‘sets’ stains, so I let them air dry.
“During my research, I also read that hanging them on the clothesline and allowing the sun to naturally bleach the white sheets is an excellent option.”
Once your bedding is dry, it should be completely clean, stain-free and smell wonderful so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep in some fresh sheets.
