Best way to wash white clothes to keep them bright for a family?

Dissolve 1-2 scoops of oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) in a basin of hot water (50-60°C) and soak dingy or yellowed whites for 1-6 hours, or overnight for stubborn cases. Then wash as normal.

Wash white garments in their own load using the hottest water the care labels allow — typically 130-140°F (54-60°C) for cotton basics like towels, sheets, and t-shirts. Never mix whites with colored items.

After washing, hang white clothes on a clothesline or drying rack in direct sunlight rather than using a machine dryer. A few hours of strong sun noticeably brightens whites.

Use a detergent designed for whites or one containing oxygen bleach or optical brighteners. Products like Tide Plus Bleach Alternative, Persil ProClean, or Seventh Generation Free & Clear with OxiBoost are formulated to maintain brightness.

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drum along with your regular detergent when washing whites. For extra brightening, dissolve 1 cup in a basin of warm water and soak whites for 30 minutes before washing.

Fill the washing machine to about three-quarters capacity for white loads. Clothes need room to circulate freely through the water and detergent for effective cleaning.