Instead of using harsh, pungent bleach to whiten your whites, try one of these safer, gentler alternatives. Use one-half cup lemon juice for a medium to large load of whites…or one cup of white vinegar…or six ounces of hydrogen peroxide (make sure the label says 3% hydrogen peroxide) in your wash. (Make sure to test the hydrogen peroxide on an inconspicuous part of clothing, since it may yellow different types of cloth.) Whatever alternative natural ingredient you use, add it to your bleach (or fabric softener) dispenser in your washing machine just before you wash your whites. If your washing machine does not have a dispenser, add it to the rinse cycle.

Money-saving help for dirty clothes…

• Forgot to Dry Your Laundry?

• Tricks to Save on Dry Cleaning

• How to Stretch Your Laundry Detergent

Source: Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen are health investigators based in New York City who have spent decades collecting "cures from the cupboard." They are authors of Bottom Line's Treasury of Home Remedies & Natural Cures and Bottom Line's Household Magic. They are authors of the free e-letter Household Magic Daily Tips. 

Date: May 6, 2010

Publication: Bottom Line's Household Magic

See this post online at: https://www.bottomlineinc.com/life/cleaning/3-bleach-substitutes-for-laundry