The Kitchen Staple That'll Help Get Rid Of Bleach Stains On Your Towels

Getting rid of bleach stains on towels — is it possible? That's a difficult question. Preventing bleach stains altogether is ideal, of course, but bleach accidents happen to the best of us. From spills to tossing in a bleach-soaked cleaning rag without thinking, to even leftover bleach in your washer from a previous cycle, bleach can find its way to laundry it's not meant for. Plus, misusing bleach is a common mistake many people make when washing towels.

The problem with bleach stains is they remove color from fabric, rather than add color to fabric. So when it comes to treating them, it's more about neutralizing the stain and stopping the bleach from stripping the color from the towels before it's too late. Fortunately, a common kitchen staple can do just that: baking soda. Before we get into the technique, be forewarned — neutralizing bleach stains on towels requires fast action. Baking soda will only work on bleach-stained towels if you can catch it quickly.

If you just noticed you got bleach on your towels, the first thing to do is thoroughly rinse the towels to wash off as much bleach as you can. Then, mix just enough water with some baking soda to create a thick paste you can spread over the affected areas. It may be helpful to gently work the paste into the towel fibers using a cleaning brush. Let it sit until it dries, then knock off the baking soda and put your towels through a wash cycle.

Baking soda is a handy laundry hack because it neutralizes odors, removes stains, and in this case, absorbs bleach residue before it damages fabrics. If you happen to be out of baking soda, don't worry, there are other household staples that can stop bleach in its tracks. Lemon juice and diluted white vinegar also work as bleach neutralizers, but remember that bleach and vinegar shouldn't mix as they create a toxic chemical reaction, so double down on your rinsing efforts first. As an alternative method, rubbing alcohol can be used on small bleach stains to even out discoloration by transferring some of the fabric's dye over the bleached area.

Risking bleach stains is just one reason to think twice before using bleach on towels. Bleach isn't always safe for towel fabrics, and can damage fibers if not used properly, so always be sure to check your towel's care label before bleaching.