Laundry days can be challenging especially when you have colors and fabrics to separate. Whether you're washing a white T-shirt or a pair of white pants, white clothes can show off stains easier than other materials, and they're not exactly a breeze to clean.
In the spirit of laundry activities, we've consulted some laundry pros to find out how to make your whites stay white season after season. From stain removers to laundry detergents, there are some tricks and laundry hacks to make your garment stain-free. We’re also recommending some top-notch stain fighters so you can spend more time enjoying getting dressed and less time fumbling around in the laundry room.
How to wash white clothes | Should you pretreat stains? | Expert-approved laundry products | Editor-recommended laundry products | How we chose | Meet the experts
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How to wash white clothes
When you're ready to toss your stained white clothes in the laundry, there are a few steps you can take to ensure they come out looking brand new.
Choose the right water temperature
"Warm water with a sodium bleach is your friend. The only exception is with protein stains (blood, dairy, etc.) where you should use cold water on them because hot water can cook in the protein," Meurice Garment Care CEO Wayne Edelman says.
Above all, make sure to group garments with similar care instructions, together. Wendy Saladyga, a stain expert at Persil ProClean at Henkel, recommends tossing shirts and blouses in warm water; towels, sheets and socks in hot water; and delicate white items (sheer blouses and undergarments) in cold water on a delicate cycle.
Find the detergent that works for you
"Using the right detergent will help keep your clothes fresh and looking great, so it’s important to follow the care label instructions. When it comes to liquid versus single-load units, it’s all about convenience," Saladyga suggests.
Here's a quick go-to guide on the most commonly used options:
- Detergent discs: Simple, easy to use and pre-measured.
- Liquid detergent: Great if you’re washing loads of various sizes or as a handy pre-treatment.
- Oxygen bleach: "Depending on the stain, a good soak in an oxygen bleach can help tackle some of those tough stains," Saladyga mentions.
Should you pretreat stains on white clothes?
In general, darker stains are more challenging to get out of white clothing, according to Saladyga. But all hope is not lost, especially if you address it quickly.
“Pre-treating and washing a stain as soon as possible will help prevent it from setting into the fabric. This is key, regardless of the stain,” Saladyga emphasizes.
Pre-treating may be the name of the game, but that doesn’t mean one method works the same for every garment.
“Different stains actually all require different types of pre-treatment. It is best to address the stained areas before an overall cleaning,” Edelman says.
Saladyga also recommends using your go-to laundry detergent.
“Most people don’t know this, but you can help prevent a stain from setting in by pre-treating with your laundry detergent you already have on hand — no separate product needed,” the pro recommends and suggests letting this pretreatment sit for about 10 minutes.
When you’re pre-treating a stain, just make sure to blot the product in and don’t rub it.
“Remove any excess stain by scraping it off with a paper towel, trying not to spread it around. Then flush the stain with cool water,” Saladyga adds.
If you’re on the move and don’t have access to household products, Saladyga suggests heading to a public restroom to improvise.
“Try to wipe the stain off as much as possible and then flush with some cool water. If you are near a sink, you can use a bit of hand soap as well mixed with water and try to give it a quick rub to help get that stain out,” the pro says.
Expert-approved laundry products
Remove the stain: Shout Triple-Acting Stain Remover Spray
- Fast at removing stains
- Easy to apply
- Chemical smell lingers on fabrics
Type: Spray | Size: 22 oz. | Best for: Wine stains
For times when you're home, Edelman recommends spraying on a bit of Shout to protein and tannin (wine) stains. According to the brand, it works its magic as it "clings, penetrates and lifts stains." All you have to do is spray it on, wait one to five minutes, then toss it in the laundry.
Not only for dishes: Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap
- Removes tough stains
- Great to spot treat fabrics
- Scent is strong
Type: Liquid | Size: 38 oz. | Best for: Oil-based stains
For oil-based stains like salad dressing, Edelman recommends using good old-fashioned Dawn dish soap. The classic is already known for taking on greasy dish stains with ease, so it makes sense. It also means you don't have to buy an additional stain fighter.
Shine bright: OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover Power Paks
- Ideal for sweat stains
- It leaves white clothes whiter
- Has a light scent
Type: Power Paks | Size: 24 Power Paks | Best for: Linens, towels
"The best way to brighten and restore stained and darkened white linens/towels is to soak them in warm water, laundry detergent and use a sodium-based bleach like OxiClean," Edelman says.
With nearly 12,000 verified five-star Amazon ratings to its name, this is one laundry product that comes well recommended. The chlorine bleach alternative is chockfull of whitening prowess and works hand in hand with your go-to detergent to banish stains and brighten your whites.
A real multitasker: Tide with Bleach Alternative Original Scent
- Has a refreshing scent
- Great at removing stains
- Not ideal for black clothes
Type: Liquid | Size: 84 oz. | Best for: Keeping clothes protected from dirty water in the wash
This multitasking formula brightens whites and protects colors, making it a universally beneficial product to have on hand in your laundry room. According to the brand, it works its magic by preventing dirty wash water from soaking back into clothes. This is something Saladyga recommends looking for in any detergent you use.
“When it comes to whites, make sure that the laundry detergent you use keeps the dirt that comes off in the wash suspended in the water and washes it down the drain instead of letting them deposit back on the fabric,” she notes.
Editor-recommended laundry products
Instant extraction: Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen
- Takes out stains quickly
- Great for on-the-go accidents
- Not good for old stains
Type: Pen | Size: 3 pens | Best for: On-the-go stains
In an ideal world, stains would pop up when you're at home and able to pre-treat them. But for times when you're on the go, this handy stain remover pen can be a lifesaver. It features a microfiber pad that lifts and absorbs marks and a solution that breaks down stains. Do yourself a favor and get the multipack so you can leave one in each of your bags, in the car, etc.
Deputy editorial director Alexandra Deabler has used this product for small stain disasters. “I consider a Tide To-go stick a pretty easy must-have. It’s so small that it’s easy to carry around, but it’s powerful enough to handle any little stain or mark you might get on your clothes while out and about. I will say I’ve used it on pretty small areas and it works perfectly. But I do use it generously.”
Drum roll, please: Viva Signature Cloth Paper Towels
- Very absorbent
- Can rinse out and reuse
- Cloth-like texture
- Not many sheets
Type: Paper towels | Size: 6 rolls | Best for: Thicker, hard-to-remove stains
Never underestimate the power of a household essential like paper towels. They're great for scraping off thick stains since they're so absorbent. This set of six double rolls comes with paper towels that are cloth-like and durable, and you can even tear off however many pieces you need thanks to the choose-a-sheet design.
Whenever I [Espinal] want to spend a bit of money, I buy these paper towels from Viva. They're so sturdy and efficient at absorbing dirt and liquids.
Instant removal: Puracy Stain Remover
- Removes instant stains
- Lasts a long time
- Not a pleasant odor
Type: Spray | Size: 12 oz. | Best for: Quickly removing stains
This stain remover has saved me [Espinal] from instant coffee accidents, food stains and pen mishaps. I have used it over cotton, polyester and denim, and has removed my stains immediately. However, you have to use it as soon as you get the stain, as older stains might stay behind. The bottle is small and easy to use without causing spills.
Great for sensitive skin: All Mighty Pacs Free Clear Laundry Detergent
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Fails to dissolve at times
Type: Pacs | Size: 60 Pacs | Best for: Sensitive skin
Associate editor Sierra Hoeger only uses this detergent for its sensitive-free qualities. "This is my tried and true, go-to laundry detergent and one I highly recommend for those with sensitive skin. My mom started using the free-and-clear versions of laundry detergent when my sister and I were little, after we would have irritations and breakouts from the more chemical-based formulas," she says.
For the cool cleaner: DedCool Dedtergent Milk
- Clean formula
- Environmentally-friendly
- Unique smell
- Measuring cap not included
Type: Liquid | Size: 32 oz. | Best for: Fragrance
For production associate Audrey Ekman, this is the one to use if you want your clothes to smell like a feminine fragrance.
"I was actually blown away by how much I loved it. If you’re someone who doesn’t want your laundry to smell like your average detergent, this is the stuff for you. It smells more like perfume in my opinion, which makes sense given that the brand is known for their ultra-cool fragrances. I love that it has clean ingredients that don’t irritate my skin, but it also has an amazing scent that lasts long after the load is done," says Eckman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wearing white to a summer soirée is kind of like walking through a maze filled with stain-causing hurdles, but you don't have to hide your favorite white frock in the closet out of fear. Just be extra careful when you're around the following products or liquids:
The pros we chatted with are most fond of pre-treating with a stain remover . There are times when you might need an on-the-go option, though, so you might be tempted to stash some portable stain removers in your bag when you're rocking a white frock. Just don't forget to pre-treat the stain when you get home before washing it!
Stains happen and sometimes it takes a bit of time to get rid of them. If you take your white clothes out of the laundry machine and still notice a stain, resist the urge to toss it in the dryer.
"Drying clothes can set stains, making them more difficult to get out later," Saladyga notes. Instead, pre-treat or soak it in an oxygen bleach, then wash it once again.
Clear stains like sunscreen, white wine and glue have a tendency of popping up on white clothes after you take them out of the wash, even if you didn't notice them before you started the load.
"They may not always be seen on your white clothing or towels but they are sugar stains and will caramelize over time. This is why you may put away a white shirt or a towel as white and pull it out to be yellow," Edelman says. "Knowing this, you should always pre-soak or -treat pieces you know are getting access to these stains and wash them. When you see the stains, you can also treat and wash/dry again!"
How we chose
We selected laundry products that are efficient at eliminating stains and those recommended by experts. We also asked our Shop TODAY staff for their most-trusted formulas to keep their whites bright and new.
Meet the experts
- Wayne Edelman is the CEO of Meurice Garment Care and CLEAN by Meurice based in New York City. He previously spoke to Shop TODAY on how to keep clothes wrinkle-free.
- Wendy Saladyga is the stain expert and senior manager of technical performance at Henkel for Persil ProClean. She previously spoke to Shop TODAY on how to clean and care for your winter coats.
