Get my whites, whiter...naturally?

[growingthings]

Okay, so after what feels like never-ending poor weather, I've had them hanging out in the sunshine for a couple of days, they've been put through the machine with some white vinegar, but they're still looking a bit grey.

I understand that moaning about my grey whites isn't cool it's Daisy's nursery uniform, which still fits her, but is looking rather sorry for itself. I just don't want to get her some new ones if I can perk up the ones we already have. (honestly I'm not being tight, I'm thinking of the envirnoment! ) (this was the nearest I could get to a ducks bum )

So anybody got any golden nuggets of washing related wisdom, preferably natural or at least not hideously toxic.

Thank you

Lorna x

[Green Aura]

'Fraid not honey. You've already tried what I would have suggested. Sunshine's a pretty good bleach.

My parents used to use something called a "blue bag" which was supposed to make things look whiter. I don't know if it worked and I can't say if it was environmentally-friendly either (that generation were particularly fond of chemicals ).

Aren't those oxygen-based bleach type things supposed to be better for the environment - someone will correct me I'm sure But surely a spoonful of that, once in a while, wouldn't be too bad. I have a tub and use it maybe 2-3 times a year when my teatowels get really stained (my family think they're cleaning cloths )

[MKG]

Try hydrogen peroxide. It's perfectly environmentally safe as long as it goes into the waste water (where it safely breaks down into oxygen and water). I don't know how diluted it would have to be for clothing, but I'm sure it would be easy to find out.

The old "Dolly Blue" stuff did actually give your whites a very pale tinge of blue. It's a visual trick - things like that appear to be whiter than "real" white.

Mike

[crowsashes]

wash your whites with something blue, i use a blue towel. it works on the same method as a blue bag.

or try ecovers laundry bleach ( b& Q sell it)

[Daveswife]

Put some lemon juice in the final rinsing water and hang the garment in the sunshine to drip dry. The combination of sunshine and lemon juice will make a positive difference to the whiteness.

[growingthings]

Thanks guys I'll get onto it......after camp!!

Off for a weekend of water activities, open cooking and generally having a laugh with the families at my Scout group..

see you after the weekend!

Lorna x

[John Headstrong]

or try ecovers laundry bleach ( b& Q sell it)

AH! YES !I knew I saw a huge selection of ecover stuff somewhere!!, Mrs H was telling me to get more but I could not remember where I saw it all

thank you

[Pennylane]

Have a great time at scout camp...no whites there they local venturescouts hold thier group meetings here when they are not off doing something like potholing or canoeing.

[crowsashes]

or try ecovers laundry bleach ( b& Q sell it)

AH! YES !I knew I saw a huge selection of ecover stuff somewhere!!, Mrs H was telling me to get more but I could not remember where I saw it all

thank you

its the only place i can get it from round here now, even co.op and t£$co have seriously raised there prices AND reduced there ranges

i do really love the method bathroom cleaners over ecovers though, they smell so delicious

handy you can get the bulk containers too