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In spite of their reputation, a well cared for white shirt can actually continue to look fresh and new even after years of wear. The key to properly caring for any white article of clothing is to be proactive when it comes to fighting stains and regular maintenance. Whether you are trying to keep a fresh white dress shirt clean or hoping that your uniform will last you through a season, there are a few things that anyone can do to keep white fabric looking bright and vibrant.
When washing white t shirts, or any type of white shirt for that matter, keep them with like colors whenever possible. It is always a good idea to separate light and dark colors before putting them through a wash cycle, especially when dealing with pure white clothing. Even the least amount of dye bleeding onto so light a color will be immediately apparent, and will ruin your clothing for good. In addition to separating your laundry by color make sure to avoid washing any new articles of clothing for the first time with your white laundry.
Bleach may be used on white fabric but only sparingly. It is true that bleach containing detergent is the best way to restore anything white to its former brilliance, but over the long term, it can cause the fabric to become brittle and thin. For regular maintenance, opt instead for a detergent that contains not bleach but another, less harsh stain fighting agent. Every so often, you may add some bleach to your load to give them an extra jolt of color.
Deal with stains as soon as they appear. Many are surprised at just how many stains can be treated with nothing more than running water as long as they are addressed as soon as they occur. The real reason that stubborn stains permanently ruin fabric is that they are allowed to set. As soon as you notice a stain, remove your shirt and run it under lukewarm water. This will help push the stain out of the fabric, without doing any damage to it.
Even if you will be wearing your plain white shirt or white polo shirt frequently or in situations that are conducive to developing stains, it is possible to extend its life through proper and regular care.