I love the crisp, hotel-like look of all-white bedding, but there is nothing luxurious about sheets that have developed a yellow tinge over time. Even the highest-quality linens can lose their brightness after years of regular use, leaving them looking tired rather than timeless.
In an effort to restore my own sheets to their former glory, I begged the experts to share their secrets. Time and again, they suggested the OxiClean White Revive Whitener & Stain Remover Liquid Additive, available from Amazon, as one of the simplest ways to keep white bedding looking fresh and bright.
Designed to tackle dullness, yellowing, and everyday stains without bleach, it promises to revive whites with minimal effort. Here’s why laundry pros swear by it, and why it could be the secret to keeping your bedding looking hotel-fresh for longer.
This liquid additive is used alongside detergent to tackle stains, odors, and brighten whites. It boasts 40 per cent more whitening power than chlorine bleach per load.
As a Sleep Editor, my ever-growing collection of best bed sheets is my pride and joy. Loath to let my older, well-loved sheets retire before their time, I spoke to Rechelle Balanzat, Founder and CEO of premium laundry service Juliette, to find out her secret laundry ingredient for restoring their bright whiteness. Her best recommendation? The OxiClean White Revive Whitener & Stain Remover Liquid Additive available at Amazon.
'It takes the hassle of time out of restoring sheets, pillowcases, and towels to bright white, and doesn’t have the adverse effects chlorine bleach does,' she explains. 'Revive is effective because it targets and removes the body oil and detergent residue, and the mineral buildup that lines and forms a layer on white fabric, which causes a yellow and dull appearance.'
As Rechelle highlights, OxiClean White Revive is also far more fabric-friendly than the typical bleach used in laundry, keeping fabrics soft and supple and preventing premature wear. The same applies when washing towels.
'A soak in OxiClean White Revive is essential,' she adds. 'You can literally see the results, and it speaks for itself, so other specialty treatments are not worth the purchase.'
Natural Alternatives
If you'd prefer to ditch harsh commercial chemicals altogether, you can also use lemon juice in laundry to a similar effect, though likely not quite so effective. Add around half a cup of lemon juice to your detergent dispenser, alongside your detergent, or add it straight to the drum.
'After the washing cycle was complete, I removed the laundry and began to notice the results as soon as they started to dry,' says our tester Megan Slack. 'After just one wash, I noticed my whites looked notably brighter and emitted a subtle citrussy scent.'
Alternatively, you can also use white vinegar in laundry (provided you know where to put vinegar in a washing machine and when to add vinegar to laundry), which is also a proven method to dissolve dull, dingy build-up and naturally brighten whites while making laundry smell better long-term.
What to Shop
Below, you can shop from a selection of whitening essentials, as well as a few of my favorite bedding picks if yours are past their prime. If that's the case, don't throw them away: They can be cut and used as cleaning and dusting cloths, or donated to pet shelters for a second, sustainable life.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This White Revive OxiClean powder is a chlorine bleach alternative that's perfect for t-shirts, sheets, machine-washable canvas shoes, socks, school uniforms, and more. Use it alongside detergent in regular and HE washers.
This is my all-time favorite white duvet cover. Made of thick, luxurious 100 per cent French flax linen, it's perfect for that breezy, lived-in look, and, in my opinion, definitely worth the premium price point.
Using baking soda in laundry is another easy way to brighten whites. If you're wondering whether baking soda will bleach clothes, the answer is a resounding no; this washing soda can also be used for shining silver, jewelry, and more.
If you're a hot sleeper, white sheets are even more difficult to keep bright, particularly during warm weather spells and over the spring and summer months. Fortunately, this set is crisp, cooling, and impressively breathable.
For those smaller stains that feel impossible to remove, a Tide pen is my tried-and-true essential. Its bleach-free formula effortlessly tackles fresh stains before they set in − pop one in your nightstand to prevent having to wash your entire sheets every time you spill a drink or a drop of food.
We liked this sheet set so much that it found its way into our curated guide to the best Amazon cooling sheets. For just under $50, you can pick up one flat sheet, one elasticized fitted sheet, and two standard pillowcases.
Meet the Expert
Don't forget to keep these mistakes to avoid when washing whites in mind to avoid undoing your hard work.
Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
