How to whiten yellowed cotton and linen fabrics?

For cotton only, dilute chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) according to label directions and wash in cold water (25°C). Never use chlorine bleach on linen — research shows it causes shrinkage 2-4 times beyond permissible standards and degrades the fiber's structural and strength characteristics.

Dissolve OxiClean (or a similar oxygen bleach product like OxoBrite or Seventh Generation Oxygen Whitener) in hot water following the package directions. Soak yellowed cotton or linen for several hours or overnight, then wash as usual.

Choose a laundry detergent that contains fluorescent whitening agents (also called optical brightening agents or OBAs) and use it for regular washing of white cotton and linen. Most major-brand detergents include these at approximately 0.05-0.1% concentration.

Wash white cotton and linen thoroughly before storing to remove all body oils, detergent residue, and soil — these oxidize over time and cause yellowing. Store clean whites in a cool, dark, dry place wrapped in acid-free tissue paper, not in plastic bags or cardboard boxes.

For valuable, antique, or sentimental textiles, consult a professional textile conservator rather than attempting home whitening. A conservator will examine the fiber composition, assess the fabric's condition, and propose a treatment that balances whiteness recovery against preserving structural…

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your wash cycle along with regular detergent, or dissolve it in warm water and soak yellowed items for 30 minutes before washing. For stubborn dinginess, make a paste with water and gently work it into the fabric before soaking.

Dilute a few drops of laundry bluing (such as Mrs. Stewart's Bluing) in cold water until the water is a pale blue. Add the diluted solution to the rinse cycle of your wash. Never apply bluing directly to fabric, as it will leave blue spots.

Add 1/2 cup of borax (sodium tetraborate) to the washing machine along with your regular detergent when washing yellowed whites. For a pre-soak, dissolve 1/2 cup in a basin of warm water and soak for 30 minutes before washing.

Dampen the yellowed fabric, apply lemon juice (full-strength for cotton, diluted 1:1 with water for linen), and lay it in direct sunlight. Keep the fabric moist and reapply as it dries. Repeat over several sessions until the yellowing fades, then wash to remove the lemon residue.

Add 1 cup of 3% household hydrogen peroxide to the washing machine drum before loading clothes, or pour it into the bleach dispenser. For targeted treatment, mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water and soak the item for up to 30 minutes before washing.

Wet the yellowed fabric thoroughly, lay it flat on clean grass or a white sheet in direct sunlight, and keep it damp throughout the day. Turn it over halfway through. Repeat over several days until the desired whiteness is achieved.

Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate per liter of hot water (50-60°C) and soak yellowed cotton or linen for 1-6 hours. For heavily yellowed items, soak up to 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally. Wash normally afterward.