Reasons Your Clean Clothes Are Yellowing And What You Can Do About It

Reaching for your favorite white clothing only to find that it is more an eggshell shade than ivory is not a great way to start the day. From socks to trousers to t-shirts, we expect our whites to stay pearly and clean from the day we purchase them until well after they've been discarded or passed down to another wearer. There are many reasons why that is rarely the case, but the good news is that there are also many ways to prevent or reverse yellowing and discoloration.

So, what causes whites to turn yellow? In short, you can blame chemistry. According to a report by Cotton Incorporated, the yellowing of clothing and other textiles is often caused by chemical decomposition. In this process, even colorless chemicals can deepen to a yellow shade. Ingredients in your deodorant, pollutants in the air, such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone, using too much detergent or softener, leaving items in storage for extended periods of time, and even sweat and body oils can shift the hue of white fibers. Preventative measures include reducing the amount of bleach in your wash cycles, not storing clothing in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, and switching to a natural deodorant. If the yellowing is already underway, here are a few ways to restore your pieces to their former glory.

You have some options when it comes to getting your clothes looking white again. You can try a whitening solution, such as the chlorine-free OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener, wash/pre-soak with white vinegar, or wash/pre-soak with baking soda. Soaking and pre-treatment times vary depending on the severity of the stain and the type of fabric, and may require being left overnight.

There is no shortage of laundry hacks when it comes to stain removal, but it is very important to know the fabrics you're dealing with before trying any of them out. Always consult a garment's care label before dousing it in bleach or soaking it in a hot water bath. Being able to identify laundry codes and care symbols could save your favorite top from being completely destroyed in a totally avoidable stain-treating accident. It's also important to keep in mind that what works on one stain may not work on another. If you try a few stain removal methods and none of them work, there is always the option to dye the garment a darker color or to use it in an upcycling project.