White t-shirts are great. They’re soft, they’re comfortable, and they look good on everyone.
But sometimes, even the best of us have to admit that our white tees have seen better days. They might be a little dingy or yellowed—or maybe you’ve just noticed that “new clean” smell has faded away and been replaced by something more musty and old-fashioned.
So why do white t-shirts turn yellow? And what can you do about it?
The answer is simple: it’s all about the dye.
In this article, we’ll explore why white clothes turn yellow in the first place (spoiler: it has to do with iron) and how to prevent this from happening in your own laundry routine.
Why do white t-shirts turn yellow?
If you love white t-shirts, we’re here to help you make sure they stay white!
1. White clothes are more likely to turn yellow than other colors. The chemicals in the dye that give your shirt its color can stain your skin, which is why some people prefer to wear black or gray shirts under white clothing. It’s also why most laundry detergents are labeled “for colored loads only”—their chemical makeup contains ingredients that can cause damage to white clothes if used improperly.
2. Washing them too often can cause yellowing—especially when combined with high-heat drying cycles or harsh detergents.
3. Sunlight and UV light can also contribute to the yellowing of your favorite white tees.
4. Some types of food and drinks can stain clothes permanently if they come in contact with the fabric long enough (think wine). And if you’re a smoker, those carcinogens can get absorbed into your clothes over time too! So maybe try not smoking while wearing those cute new tees? Or at least wash them before smoking again so they don’t become permanently stained!
5. Finally: age can also cause white clothes to yellow over time. Yellowing is caused by chemicals in dyes and clothing materials that come in contact with skin or sweat over time.
7 Tips for preventing white t-shirt from turning yellow
Are you a fan of the classic white t-shirt? We are, too! But we know how frustrating it can be when your favorite shirt starts to turn yellow.
Well, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are seven tips for preventing your white t-shirts from turning yellow:
1. Don’t wash them with anything else. Ever. Unless you want them to get dirty, that is.
2. Wash them less often than you think you need to, and make sure they’re dry before putting them back in the drawer (or wherever you keep your delicates). This will help prevent any staining from occurring while they’re not being worn!
3. Use color-safe bleach when laundering whites that have been washed too many times (or ones that have started looking dingy). This will help keep them bright and new-looking longer!
4. If you do use a lot of bleach over time, make sure to hang dry your whites after washing so they don’t fade as quickly due to exposure to heat while wet during drying time which could cause some discoloration over time if left unchecked .
5. When you do use bleach, make sure it’s color-safe and not regular bleach so that it doesn’t cause any discoloration of your whites over time.
6.For those items that can’t be washed in the washing machine, hand wash them with warm water and mild detergent or soap (avoid using fabric softeners or dryer sheets).
7. When drying your whites, make sure to dry them on a low setting (no higher than warm) and air dry them instead of using the dryer if possible as this will reduce fading over time.
We know that white shirts are a staple in your wardrobe, but they can also be trickier to wear than you might think.
Here are five tips for wearing white shirts safely without getting them dirty:
1. Don’t wear dark colored jeans with a white shirt. Dark colored jeans leave stains on the shirt when they rub against it during walking or sitting.
2. Keep your white shirt clean by washing it every week. Washing your clothes regularly helps prevent stains, odors, and other problems from developing.
3. Avoid wearing too much perfume or cologne to avoid getting the scent on your shirt and making it smell bad over time (and attracting insects).
4. Avoid using oil-based products like lotion or sunscreen on your skin before putting on your white shirt as these can stain clothing easily; instead use water-based products such as body wash or moisturizer instead!
5. When applying makeup or hair products such as hairspray or gel, try using a towel to protect yourself from getting any residue on your shirt – this will help keep it looking newer longer!
Conclusion
We hope you learned a lot about why white t-shirts turn yellow, and that you’ll never have to throw away another one again!
If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Hey there! I’m Sophia, and I’m the co-founder of this website. I’ve been a lifelong fashion enthusiast and have spent most of my time working in the industry as a fashion stylist. My goal is to create a space where we can all come together and celebrate everything that makes us who we are: our individual styles. I’m excited to bring you this digital community, where we can share our stories, insights, and experiences with each other—and learn new things along the way!