Instead, Daniel Ufland, founder of Flitch, recommended using lemon juice as this surprising solution “not only whitens bed sheets effectively” but also offers convenience and eco-friendliness compared to the harsh chemical bleach.
He explained: “Aside from its culinary uses, lemon juice proves to be a versatile household remedy. Its natural bleaching properties offer a refreshing alternative to harsh chemicals, leaving your bed sheets brilliantly white while minimising environmental impact.
“Lemon juice contains natural bleaching properties due to its high acidity levels, making it an effective alternative to chemical bleaches.
“Unlike traditional bleach, lemon juice is gentle on fabrics, preserving their quality and extending their lifespan.
“Additionally, lemon juice is readily available, affordable, and environmentally friendly, making it a convenient option for those seeking a natural approach to whitening bed sheets.”
How to use lemon juice to whiten bed sheets
1. Pre-treat any stains
Before washing your bed sheets, they should be inspected for any nasty stains. If there are any, apply lemon juice directly to the stained area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes “to allow the citric acid to break down the stains”.
2. Prepare the laundry
The next step is to place your bed sheets in the washing machine as usual, along with your regular laundry detergent.
3. Add the lemon juice
“Instead of using bleach or fabric softener”, Daniel instructed households to pour half to one cup of lemon juice into the fabric dispenser drawer or directly into the washing machine during the rinse cycle. He added: “The acidity of the lemon juice will help to brighten and whiten the fabric.”
4. Wash and dry the sheets
Run the washing machine on a normal cycle and once it is complete, transfer the bed sheets to the dryer and dry them as usual.
Alternatively, households can leave their bed sheets to dry outside on a sunny day as sunlight naturally bleaches laundry.
Once dried, your bed sheets will “emerge noticeably whiter and fresher”, thanks to the “natural bleaching power of lemon juice”.
