| Situation | Solution | Frequency | Soaking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| White lingerie that yellows | Bath: lemon juice + hot water | 1 time/month | 1 hour |
| Fabric that turns gray | Soaking in bicarbonate | 1 time/month | 30 minutes |
| Resistant yellowing | Hydrogen peroxide or lukewarm milk | Occasionally | 1 hour / 30 minutes |
| White to maintain | Gentle hand wash, air dry | After each port | - |
And what about the fabric?
| Fabric type | Recommended methods | Methods to avoid |
| Cotton | All methods | None |
| Synthetic lace | Lemon, baking soda | Hydrogen peroxide too concentrated |
| Silk | Warm milk only | Lemon, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide |
| Satin/elastane | Soft bicarbonate | Boiling water, abrasive products |
Always remember to test a method on a small, inconspicuous area before applying a treatment to the entire room.
How to preserve the brightness of your white lingerie?
Before attempting to whiten, it's best to adopt the right habits to avoid yellowing.
The golden rules
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Wash by hand or on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag.
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Use a mild detergent specifically for white fabrics.
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Never mix with dark colors.
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Allow to air dry, in the shade or in the sun, but never on a radiator or in a tumble dryer.
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Use Marseille soap to scrub the stained areas.
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Slip a sachet of baking powder into the drum to revive the egg white.
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Choose a good deodorant that doesn't leave yellow marks.
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Do not wear dark clothing over white underwear to avoid color transfer.
Yellowed lingerie: solutions for effectively whitening it
1. Lemon + hot water: Ideal for regular maintenance without damaging the fibers.
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In a basin: 1 liter of very hot water + the juice of one lemon
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Soak the lingerie for 1 hour.
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Rinse and wash normally.
2. Baking soda + salt: Perfect for reviving greying lace.
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1L of hot water
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1 tablespoon of baking soda + 1 tablespoon of fine salt
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Soak for 30 minutes, then hand wash.
3. Hydrogen peroxide: Caution: Test on a corner of the fabric first to avoid discoloration.
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1L of hot water
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2 tablespoons of 10-volume hydrogen peroxide
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Soak for 1 hour, then wash as usual.
4. Warm milk: Very gentle on delicate fabrics such as silk or fine lace.
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Warm a bowl of milk.
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Leave the lingerie to soak for 30 minutes.
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Rinse thoroughly before washing.
Can bleach be used to whiten lingerie?
No. It yellows the fabric in the long term and damages the fibers.
Is sodium percarbonate effective?
Yes, but it's stronger than baking soda. Reserve it for stubborn stains on white cotton only.
Can you bleach colored lingerie?
No. These methods are only for white; they could discolor dyed items.
How many times can you bleach your lingerie?
No more than once a month to avoid weakening the tissues.
