A PAIR of white linen trousers or a white T-shirt – two staples in our summer wardrobe this season.
But as chic as they may make us look, light-coloured garments are also prone to stubborn stains that are often impossible to get out.
One cleaning whizz shared how to get your whites sparkling again with a 40p hack[/caption]
The best part? You probably have the item you need in your home already[/caption]
However, there’s a mistake that’s very easy to make, she warned[/caption]
While there are plenty of store-bought powders and products to tackle this, turns out, you can also use alternative methods for a fraction of the price.
Lynsey Crombie, the Queen of Clean, has shared a simple, cost-effective solution to bring back their brightness without spending a fortune.
The best part? You probably have the item you need in your home already.
If you – or your little one – have been enjoying some time in the grass, the whizz told This Morning viewers how any cheap toothpaste can work wonders to remove stubborn green stains.
However, when trying out this trick, there’s an easy mistake not to make, she warned.
”Don’t go and get the blue one – because you’re just gonna make a mess.
White toothpaste, she explained, has got bicarbonate of soda, which helps lift stains and brighten clothing.
To make your garments sparkle, simply apply the white toothpaste directly to the stain with a drop of water.
Rub in with an old toothbrush and leave to sit for ten to 15 minutes.
Pop it in a cold water wash and leave to dry in the sun.
According to the expert, not only will your clothes come out looking like brand new, they will also have that refreshing mint aroma.
”And don’t go buy a really expensive one – they’re 40p in one of the major supermarkets.
”Keep it in your cupboard, rub it in and then just leave that for a bit.”
More hacks to get rid of harsh stains
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with vinegar and wash as usual.
- Lemon Juice and Salt: Squeeze lemon juice over the stain. Sprinkle salt generously. Rub the fabric together and leave it in the sun for an hour before washing.
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Dab the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse.
- Milk for Ink Stains: Soak the stained area in milk. Leave it overnight. Rinse and wash the following day.
- White Vinegar for Grass Stains: Apply white vinegar directly to the grass stain. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Wash as usual.
- Cornflour for Grease Stains: Sprinkle cornflour onto the grease stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the grease. Brush off the cornflour and wash the garment.
- Toothpaste for Collar Stains: Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to the collar stain. Scrub gently with a toothbrush. Rinse and wash as usual.
Zesty trick
But if you don’t have toothpaste at hand, lemons work a treat too, another guru, Thomas Bird, textiles expert and owner of Fabric Online, previously shared.
“Lemon juice is a natural and affordable solution to making your whites even whiter”, he insists.
“Lemons contain citric acid, a natural bleaching agent that effectively breaks down even the toughest stains.
“Unlike chemical whiteners, such as bleach, it lifts stains from your clothes without the risk of damage making it the perfect alternative for brightening your whites.”
A pack of lemons costs just 69p in Aldi, making it a very affordable hack.
Beyond its stain-fighting power, Thomas points out that lemon juice also leaves your clothes with a fresh, citrusy scent whilst eliminating any unpleasant odours.
To use lemon juice in your laundry, simply squeeze three lemons into a glass, which should equal about half a cup of lemon juice.
Next, add the lemon juice directly to your washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent.
Then set your washing machine to the normal spin cycle and let the magic happen.
After the wash, let your clothes dry as usual, and watch the noticeable difference appear as they dry.
