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Get Whiter Whites Without Using Chlorine or Bleach - PEP BB nest.sand.whiter

BB nest - sand badge
posted 4 years ago
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This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Nest.

In this Badge Bit, you will get whiter whites without chlorine bleach or any other toxic materials.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
   - Maybe use a pair of white things that are equally dingy (socks? two white shirts?), wash them both, then do your white treatment on one to show an improvement

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
   - before cleaning the whites
   - show what you're cleaning the whites with
   - progress of cleaning the whites
   - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
   - report on the cleaners/methods you used
COMMENTS:
 
Kathryn Ossing
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Location: Galapagar, Madrid, Spain
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posted 4 years ago
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Taking a stab at this one. I used lemon juice and line drying in the sun. I juiced two lemons and used those instead of detergent in the washing machine. We have a side loader, I added the lemon juice directly into the drum, on top of the clothes before starting it. I see a noticeable difference between the t-shirts, but not on the underwear. Perhaps it's because the underwear was made of natural undyed cotton and was never truly white? Unknown. I'll be switching to doing laundry by hand once I get a good tub and the local horse chestnuts are back in season (great for soap).
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before, two white t-shirts and two pairs of underwear. I washed one of each on the left, along with other white things that needed washing.
before, two white t-shirts and two pairs of underwear. I washed one of each on the left, along with other white things that needed washing.
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The lemon juicing process. I juiced two lemons, filtered out the pulp and seeds with cloth shown. About a half cup of lemon juice.
The lemon juicing process. I juiced two lemons, filtered out the pulp and seeds with cloth shown. About a half cup of lemon juice.
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The wash in process.
The wash in process.
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hung up to dry, t-shirt and underwear in front.
hung up to dry, t-shirt and underwear in front.
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Sunlight for 4 hours or so in the afternoon.
Sunlight for 4 hours or so in the afternoon.
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Finished product. T-shirt looks noticeably whiter.
Finished product. T-shirt looks noticeably whiter.

Restorative Wellness & Routines for living with effortless grace and ease at http://www.graceofliving.com

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Mike Barkley approved this submission.

 
Edward Norton
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My last badge bit for my first sand badge . . . Woohoo!

I picked a large sheet towel and a small Japanese onsen towel. Both were clean but had picked up grub that hadn’t come out in the normal wash.

I followed Clean & Green method for whitening yellowed whites. I used:

1 large tote
3 tablespoons of salt
3 table spoons of citric acid
1 jar of hot water
Sunshine

I stirred the salt and acid into the water. I folded the items in the tote and poured on the solution to steep.
After 20 minutes, I hung both items out on the line in full sun. They received at least 3 hours of sun on each side.
I’m pretty please with the results. The bath sheet still has a little discolouration in the middle, so I will repeat the process after it’s next wash.
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Cargo bikes are cool

Staff note (gir bot) :

Nicole Alderman approved this submission.
Note: I hereby certify that this badge bit is complete! Make sure to head over to the main Nest page and post there to get certified!

 
Ashley Cottonwood
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posted 3 years ago
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So apparently I don't own much for white clothing! The socks and tank top are practically brand new so I used two rags to show a difference in whiteness.

Start:


Making a citric acid wash with lime juice and salt:


Rubbing with actual limes:


Sun bleaching (I was told that the snow help reflect more UV?):



Finished. I didn't notice much for the shirt or socks but for sure the rags!

Like my shiny badges? Want your own? Check out Skills to Inherit Property!

Staff note (gir bot) :

Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete.

 
Louise Berns
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posted 3 years ago
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Nothing says “opportunity for a bb” like toddler pee on the couch. White couch predates parenthood—I’m reckless, but not that reckless. Anyway. Washed both cushion covers in the regular wash, then hung the “untreated” one to dry inside. The “treated” one got a wash with hydrogen peroxide and a day in the sun and came out much whiter!
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Original state
Original state
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In the washer with peroxide
In the washer with peroxide
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Sunning!
Sunning!
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Treated and untreated!
Treated and untreated!

Is there such a thing as too many projects going?

Staff note (gir bot) :

Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete. Well done Louise.

 
James Rhodes
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posted 3 years ago
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Edge case submission
I do not own many truly white textiles. So this dish towel will have to do. I used lemon juice, warm water, and hydrogen peroxide, for about an hour soak. Then I put in the sun for roughly 3 hours each side.

I will say I did not get the BLAMO whiteness increase I was hoping for, however, it did a great job removing some black smudge stains that were prolific on the towel. I can see a whiteness increase, but I think I need to revisit the formula down the road.
IMG_3482.jpg
Before the treatment, notice the black marks all over the towel.
Before the treatment, notice the black marks all over the towel.
IMG_3484.jpg
Ingredients
Ingredients
IMG_3485.jpg
Warm water
Warm water
IMG_3486.jpg
Soaking
Soaking
IMG_3504.jpg
Hour sun bath
Hour sun bath
IMG_3515.jpg
Final result. Notice the decreased amount of black stains.
Final result. Notice the decreased amount of black stains.
Staff note (gir bot) :

Ashley Cottonwood flagged this submission as an edge case BB.
BBV price: 0
Note: Unfortunately a stripped towel not enough "whites" to be able to certify this BB: 

 
James Rhodes
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posted 3 years ago
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Ok so I correcting the error I made from my first submission, using a white shirt I was able to find from my old work bag. I used the exact same system as last time, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice, with hot water. I put the shirt in the solution and let it soak for an hour. Then I let sit in the sun for roughly 2 hours each side. Results: shirt came out extremely white and the stains were removed!
IMG_3484.jpg
Lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide
Lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide
IMG_3485.jpg
Water
Water
IMG_3548.jpg
Shirt before wash.
Shirt before wash.
IMG_3549.jpg
In the solution you go!
In the solution you go!
IMG_3558.jpg
Sun
Sun
IMG_3556.jpg
After treatment. So white!
After treatment. So white!
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Carla Burke approved this submission.

 
Harmony Dybala
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posted 2 years ago
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I got a whiter white with lemon juice, salt, and sunshine! I was really amazed by these results. Both the dress I treated and the "control group" white T-shirt were 100% cotton. The dress was dingy, arm-pit stained, and rust-spotted. I hand-washed it and the T-shirt with bar-form dish soap, using rinse water from a previous load of laundry to save on water. Then, I hung the T-shirt to dry and soaked the dress with some other stained garments in cool water, the juice of three lemons, and a bunch of salt. I rubbed the most visible stains with the juiced lemons, then left it to soak for about 45 more minutes. Then I put it in the sun for three or four hours. Voila! The dress was a brighter white, and many of the stains disappeared completely, with only a few faint spots remaining. (The bonus garments were still badly stained, but they were worse off to begin with and I am not too disappointed about it.)
IMG_20220623_104130218.jpg
Clothes to be whitened
Clothes to be whitened
IMG_20220623_104500680.jpg
Yellow marks
Yellow marks
IMG_20220623_104509274.jpg
Particularly dirty areas before whitening
Particularly dirty areas before whitening
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Washing
Washing
IMG_20220623_112639676_HDR.jpg
Salt
Salt
IMG_20220623_112911384_HDR.jpg
Lemon juice
Lemon juice
IMG_20220623_123430916.jpg
Sunning
Sunning
IMG_20220623_155713637.jpg
Comparison
Comparison
IMG_20220623_155816381.jpg
Whitened item
Whitened item
IMG_20220623_155827180.jpg
Much whiter
Much whiter

"[6] Let the people, O God, confess to Thee: let all the people give praise to Thee: [7] The earth hath yielded her fruit. May God, our God bless us, [8] May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear Him." (Psalms 66/67)

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Kimberly Justice
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posted 2 years ago
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It was so fun to hand wash these whites and to go through the whole process. I'm not sure what exactly I expected, but I was surprised and excited  when I saw the difference in the shirt. I had tried to spot treat it with another method and had put it through the wash twice, and it hadn't done any good, but a few lemons, salt, and several hours in the sun later and here we are!
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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13

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Note: I hereby certify this badge bit complete.

 
Bethany Paschall
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posted 2 years ago
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Whew! Long day, but I have treated this undershirt and slip with a half cup of hydrogen peroxide twice and it is out drying in the sun.
IMG-2156.JPG
Untreated
Untreated
IMG-2158.JPG
My handy-dandy germ-killer
My handy-dandy germ-killer
IMG-2159.JPG
In the sink. Treatment in process
In the sink. Treatment in process
IMG-2165.JPG
All done, now the sun and wind to the rest.
All done, now the sun and wind to the rest.

"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else."
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Staff note (gir bot) :

James Rhodes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete!

 
Cam Lee
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posted 2 years ago
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I honestly did not expect this to work as well as it did! I used 2/3 cup of lemon juice and ~3 tbsp salt and soaked with hot water for 30 minutes, then wrang dry and rubbed/squeezed a bit more lemon juice directly on the more stained parts before hanging up in the sun. ~2 hours each side in the sun, but I would have preferred more. I hung them outside again the next day, but I don't think it made a huge difference.
20220902_114819.jpg
materials
materials
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before of cleaning rags
before of cleaning rags
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before of towels
before of towels
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soaking in lemon juice, salt, and hot water
soaking in lemon juice, salt, and hot water
20220902_123925.jpg
more lemon!
more lemon!
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hanging in the sun
hanging in the sun
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after of cleaning rags
after of cleaning rags
20220902_172515.jpg
after of towels
after of towels

Am I scavenger-hunting right?

Staff note :

You did not note which of the two sets you used the white treatment on and which you did not. It looks like maybe the towels got it. Could you follow-up with this information?

Staff note (gir bot) :

Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: Congratulations Cam I cretify this BB complete.

 
Heather Staas
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- before cleaning the whites
  - show what you're cleaning the whites with
  - progress of cleaning the whites
  - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
  - report on the cleaners/methods you used


- before cleaning the whites
  - show what you're cleaning the whites with
  - progress of cleaning the whites
  - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
  - report on the cleaners/methods you used

I decided to do this one "experiment" style.

I took an old but clean white cloth and compared it with a new white envelope for color.

I split the cloth into 3 equal pieces, and soaked each in a different whitening solution:

Hot water & Hydrogen Peroxide
Hot water & White Vinegar
Hot water & Lemon Juice

Soaked for 20 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly and dried.

Compared dried cloth with the same white envelope.   What do you think?    In person it looks like LEMON JUICE was the winner.  

IMG_0515.JPG
Original strips with whiteners and white envelope
Original strips with whiteners and white envelope
IMG_0516.JPG
Soaking in respective hot water solutions for 20 mins
Soaking in respective hot water solutions for 20 mins
IMG_0519.JPG
drying!
drying!
IMG_0544.JPG
Finished whites with same envelope..
Finished whites with same envelope..
IMG_0547.JPG
another "finished" angle
another "finished" angle

"The world is changed by your example, not your opinion." ~ Paulo Coelho

Staff note (gir bot) :

Nicole Alderman approved this submission.
Note: I hereby certify that this badge bit is complete! I love that you turned it into an experiment!

 
L. Johnson
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Submission flagged incomplete
I have to say I'm blown away by how effective this was. I was not expecting it to work so well.

My undershirts were experiencing some severe yellowing. It seemed like a good opportunity to try out this technique.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
  - Maybe use a pair of white things that are equally dingy (socks? two white shirts?), wash them both, then do your white treatment on one to show an improvement

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
  - before cleaning the whites (Picture 1 and 8)
  - show what you're cleaning the whites with (Pictures 2, 3, and 4)
  - progress of cleaning the whites (Pictures 4, 5, 6, and 7)
  - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before) (Picture 9)
  - report on the cleaners/methods you used (Shimanto Bushukan citrus juice and sea salt)

These are my six undershirts. I used the whiter whites without bleach method on #3 and #5.
12
34
56

1)

I cut some citrus from my garden in half and juiced them.
2)
3)
I applied the citrus juice and salt directly onto the articles in a wash basin.
4)
5)
Then I added some water and agitated them.
6)
Then I simply added them to our normal laundry load.

They soaked up UV rays in the sun for only 4 hours or so and came back much whiter.
7)

Before and After
8) and 9)

一期一会

Staff note (gir bot) :

Mike Haasl flagged this submission as not complete.
BBV price: 1
Note: I'm sure they are much whiter to the naked eye but your camera seems to have white balanced the pics and it's hard to see any difference.  Please try again, maybe with a "standard" white background in both pics to compare them to (paper, envelope, wall, sheet, etc)

 
Luke Mitchell
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I'm curious here whether Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) should be considered a toxic material? It's a confusing case as it is toxic to living tissues and cells, hence the strict controls on the concentration/dilution available to purchase, but it reacts quickly to produce water (H2O) and oxygen (O) which are both essential for life.

I notice that Bethany and Heather have used it for this BB so it appears that is is acceptable. I think it fails the edible cleaners test though!

Small-holding, coppice and grassland management on a 16-acre site.

 
Nicole Alderman
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posted 2 years ago
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There's actually edible hydrogen peroxide (the stuff you buy in the store has aditives that are not edible, but you can buy hydrogen peroxide is free from it, like), and it's food-grade.

Here's the stuff I bought: Essential Oxygen Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, Natural Cleaner, Refill, 32 Fl Oz

food grade hydrogen peroxide

It's also mentioned as a cleaner in Raven Ranson's Clean with Cleaners You Can Eat book, and Paul wrote the forward for that book, so I'm going to assume it has the Paul Stamp of Approval.

~ Dragons, Fairies and even a Mini-Paul! ~ You Know You're a Permie When...~ All About Permies, including tutorials ~Herbal Hugel Spiral of Randomness!~Tricks to Keep the Dirt from Sliding off a Hugel~List of Cascadia Bloggers and Facebook Pages!~

 
Rebekah Harmon
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Approved submission
I'm dismayed that, since I stopped using bleach, my white towels are slowly turning grey. :-/ In this bb, I used 3 different methods for whitening them back up. First, the two towels, no special work. "Before." The towel on the right got my normal wash with oxyclean. The left towel was soaked in lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide. Not impressed. I then soaked it in washing soda and vinegar. Still not impressed. So I hung it on the back of a chair in the sun. It ate the finish off my chair and stained the towel brown! Ug! Then, I tried hydrogen peroxide mixed with dawn dish soap to remove the brown stain and washed it normally. Finally, its a smidge whiter. I'm not a fan of natural whitening.
20230116_121844.jpg
2 plain towels
2 plain towels
20230116_134833.jpg
soaking once
soaking once
20230117_102413.jpg
nothing different
nothing different
20230116_182833.jpg
soaking and washing with stain-remover treatment
soaking and washing with stain-remover treatment
20230119_102537.jpg
the new, brown stain
the new, brown stain
20230117_102426.jpg
a teensy bit whiter
a teensy bit whiter

Being weird is easy. Making it mainstream is hard. Be brave! https://www.youtube.com/@healthygreenbrave

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Someone approved this submission.

 
Christopher Weeks
master gardener
Posts: 4074
Location: Carlton County, Minnesota, USA: 3b; Dfb; sandy loam; in the woods
2019
6
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posted 2 years ago
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Well, I don't have a lot of white stuff, so I guess I have to show off my undies. Only they're not very off-color. But here's what I've done: I got two clean pairs out of the laundry closet, I picked one to "treat" with vinegar, steam, and sun. After about eight hours in the sun (spread across two days), I rinsed them thoroughly -- until they no longer smelled of vinegar and then hung them to dry overnight. (They now smell like vinegar again, so I'll need to wash them more seriously.)
whitesBefore.jpg
Undies!
Undies!
whtiesVinegar.jpg
Drenched in white vinegar.
Drenched in white vinegar.
whtiesSteamer.jpg
Still damp, steamed.
Still damp, steamed.
whitesSun1.jpg
Catching afternoon sun.
Catching afternoon sun.
whitesSun2.jpg
Catching sun the next morning.
Catching sun the next morning.
whitesAfter.jpg
All dry. I took the pic in the same place and time of day, but two days apart and the light characteristics are different. Hopefully the contrast still shows good enough.
All dry. I took the pic in the same place and time of day, but two days apart and the light characteristics are different. Hopefully the contrast still shows good enough.
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Elizabeth Horsley
Posts: 103
Location: Dallas, TX area
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posted 2 years ago
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- before cleaning the whites:

Before pic shows several "white" items including two white tank tops and several dish towels/cloths. I think the tank on the right was washed with blue jeans at some point so it's looking particularly dingy. These came from a "clean" laundry basket. I usually don't bother to get them super white since it's dishcloths and under clothes.

- show what you're cleaning the whites with:

I soaked the whites in a hydrogen peroxide solution.

- progress of cleaning the whites:

Pics three and four show clothes soaking in solution and drying in the sun respectively.

- finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)

Pics 5 and 6 show the finished load with the treated clothes on the right and the control group on the left. I'm not thoroughly pleased with the tank top though it looks a little better. The white dishcloth and the dish towel are noticeably whiter though and I was able to get some of the stains off.

- report on the cleaners/methods you used

I soaked them in hydrogen peroxide for a couple of hours and dried them in the sun for the afternoon.
01-Before-Pic.jpg
White cloths
White cloths
02-Used-Hydrogen-Peroxide.jpg
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
03-Clothes-soaking-in-solution.jpg
Soaking clothes
Soaking clothes
04-Drying-in-sun.jpg
drying cloths
drying cloths
05-Finished.jpg
Whiter cloths
Whiter cloths
06-closeup-of-dishcloth-stains.jpg
Comparison with white envelope
Comparison with white envelope

“Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs” St. Francis of Assisi

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Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete. Really good pictures

 
Tomke Roolfs
pioneer
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Location: Königs Wusterhausen, Germany
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posted 2 years ago
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I used citrus because I saw it here, but I am not completely convinced. Will use oxygen bleach in the future as I have had good results with it. I think there is a difference, though
20230511_174140.jpg
Sample pieces
Sample pieces
20230511_174746.jpg
Washing soda and lemon Juice
Washing soda and lemon Juice
20230511_174849.jpg
soaking in lemon juice
soaking in lemon juice
20230513_111927.jpg
Left two vertical rows are not bleached
Left two vertical rows are not bleached

trying to work on all the permie projects I've ever seen at the same time

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Someone approved this submission.
Note: I see some difference. Letting them dry in the sun will make the biggest difference

 
Amanda Wright
Posts: 19
5
posted 2 years ago
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Edge case submission
So I use two different bathmats, and I treated the fluffy one with a mix of vinegar and baking soda. I took a really nice video of it, but that type of file is not supported on here?! first I use my biodegradable, Dr. Bronner’s and a natural plant-based softener. The end result was that the fluffy bathroom mat that I treated looks much better than it did and the patterned one is still dirty from muddy farm feet
IMG_5019.jpeg
Dirty bath mats
Dirty bath mats
IMG_5021.jpeg
My washing detergent
My washing detergent
IMG_5020.jpeg
During washing
During washing
IMG_5028.jpeg
Vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda
IMG_5076.jpeg
Fluffy one clean patterned one still dirty
Fluffy one clean patterned one still dirty
Staff note (gir bot) :

Elizabeth Horsley flagged this submission as an edge case.
BBV price: 0
Note: Can you include a picture or a link to the ingredients on the fabric softener and soap so we can verify ingredients? Also, the mat will get whiter if you let it dry in the sun.

 
Nikki Roche
gardener
Posts: 841
Location: South Carolina
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posted 1 year ago
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To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures:
  - before cleaning the whites
  - show what you're cleaning the whites with
  - progress of cleaning the whites
  - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
  - report on the cleaners/methods you used



I used a white T-shirt, 2 pairs of socks, and a pillowcase. I discovered 1 sock had a hole in the heel, so I discarded it before finishing the process. We've had the pillowcase for so long that I wasn't sure if it was originally white or off-white.

My husband doesn't seem to care if his undergarments are stained, so I've never treated his shirts and socks, nor his pillowcase.

I started with a baking soda paste on the worst of the stains (the soles of the socks and armpits of the shirt). I rinsed them out and soaked all of the items for a few hours in lime juice, salt, and water. After washing them like normal, I hung them to dry all day on the fence. I worked on the shirt more after that by putting lemon juice directly on the armpits for a few hours before washing again. The armpits are more stained than I had hoped they would be, but I didn't know what to hope for with how long those stains had already been there.

All of the items show an improvement in the whiteness, but the best result is the smell. My husband's deodorant leaves a strong scent on his shirts no matter how I've washed them (regular detergent, vinegar, oxyclean, etc.) Between the lemon juice and sunlight, the fragrance is gone!

The photos show before and after of the items, with the "after" photo on top and the "before" photo on bottom. All photos were taken in full sun during the middle of the day to hopefully get similar lighting.
InShot_20230616_135413405-2.jpg
After and Before - Socks and t-shirt
After and Before - Socks and t-shirt
InShot_20230616_134658478-2.jpg
After and Before - Pillowcase and 1 sock
After and Before - Pillowcase and 1 sock
PXL_20230613_161521513.jpg
Baking soda paste on the clothes
Baking soda paste on the clothes
PXL_20230613_164822082.jpg
Limes before juicing for the juice/salt soak
Limes before juicing for the juice/salt soak
PXL_20230616_002223949.jpg
Lemon juice directly on armpit stains
Lemon juice directly on armpit stains
PXL_20230614_214902885.jpg
Clothes drying in the sun
Clothes drying in the sun

(Reminder to myself) God didn't say, "well said, well planned, and well thought out." He said, "well done."
Nikki's Wishlist

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Nicole Alderman approved this submission.
Note: I hereby certify that this badge bit is complete! Those socks look a LOT whiter!

 
Jessica Michell
Posts: 70
Location: Central Ohio
17
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posted 1 year ago
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I used someone else’s recipe on here of 2/3 cup lemon juice and 3 tbs salt soak in hot water. Then left in the sun to dry.
I scrubbed with a brush after soaking.
Looks a little better. The kids socks were more improved than mine but mine might be too set since they’re older.
I left the right most (bottom) sock for comparison.
IMG_4223.jpeg
Hot water
Hot water
IMG_4225.jpeg
Lemon juice
Lemon juice
IMG_4226.jpeg
Salt (one more Tbs than shown)
Salt (one more Tbs than shown)
IMG_4229.jpeg
Before
Before
IMG_4231.jpeg
Soak
Soak
IMG_4238.jpeg
Scrub
Scrub
IMG_4239.jpeg
Sun drying
Sun drying
IMG_4260.jpeg
After
After
1897C591-D074-4E71-8037-063046DC7830.jpeg
Comparison photo
Comparison photo
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Elizabeth Horsley approved this submission.

 
Theresa Garrison
pollinator
Posts: 60
Location: Tennessee Zone 7
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posted 1 year ago
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I used a pair of dirty socks.  One into hot water and vinegar, the other into hot water and hydrogen peroxide.  Let them soak and then agitated to get the dirt out.  Then hung in the sun for more than 6 hours.  Both did okay, but probably not well enough to wear anywhere out.  Will try lemon and salt next time we buy lemons. The hydrogen peroxide one is noticeably whiter.
socks-before.jpg
[Thumbnail for socks-before.jpg]
socks-in-progress.jpg
[Thumbnail for socks-in-progress.jpg]
socks-in-progress1.jpg
[Thumbnail for socks-in-progress1.jpg]
socks-in-the-sun.jpg
[Thumbnail for socks-in-the-sun.jpg]
socks-xafter.jpg
[Thumbnail for socks-xafter.jpg]

"Never take counsel of your fears."

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Tina Wolf
gardener
Posts: 2122
Location: Zone 8b North Texas
574
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posted 1 year ago
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Submission flagged incomplete
I whitened an old stained white t-shirt with hydrogen peroxide and water.  
I soaked the t-shirt in the hydrogen peroxide and water.
When it was done you can tell it's whiter because the stains, which didn't come out...
are more noticeable.


Old stained t-shirt.  The stains in the upper middle are faded.


Soaking t-shirt in hot water and Hydrogen Peroxide


Hydrogen Peroxide


Cleaner T-Shirt...you can tell it's whiter because the stains, which didn't come out...are more noticeable.

Submission for BB certification

Permaculture Playing Cards / Wood Heat 8 DVD Set / Jumbo DVD Package

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Someone flagged this submission as not complete.
BBV price: 1
Note: This BB requires 2 items to be cleaned with 1 whitened to show the improvement.

 
Tina Wolf
gardener
Posts: 2122
Location: Zone 8b North Texas
574
3
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posted 1 year ago
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My first company work shirts were white...lol.  I looked constantly filthy as I work outside in the dirt.  We tried orange shirts but they were fugly.  We've settled on light grey...dirt and stains are less noticable.  😁
I'm comparing 2 old white tshirts.  The first one needs whitening.  The other does, too, but isn't as bad.
I added a pic of both shirts in the washer...it isn't super clear but I think you can see them rotating in a washing machine.
I whitened an old stained white t-shirt with hydrogen peroxide and water.  
I soaked the t-shirt in the hydrogen peroxide and water.
When it was done you can tell it's whiter because the stains, which didn't come out...
are more noticeable.


First old stained t-shirt before washing.  The stains in the upper middle are faded.


Second old t-shirt before washing.


Soaking t-shirt in hot water and Hydrogen Peroxide


Hydrogen Peroxide


Cleaner first T-Shirt...you can tell it's whiter because the stains, which didn't come out...are more noticeable.


Second washed T-Shirt

Submission for BB certification
shirts-in-wash.jpg
Hard to see but t-shirts washing in washing machine
Hard to see but t-shirts washing in washing machine

Permaculture Playing Cards / Wood Heat 8 DVD Set / Jumbo DVD Package

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Note: Congrats!

 
Timothy Norton
Steward of piddlers
Posts: 5245
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
2370
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posted 1 year ago
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Approved submission
To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
  - Maybe use a pair of white things that are equally dingy (socks? two white shirts?), wash them both, then do your white treatment on one to show an improvement

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
  - before cleaning the whites
  - show what you're cleaning the whites with
  - progress of cleaning the whites
  - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
  - report on the cleaners/methods you used

I decided to utilize two white undershirts for this BB.

The shirt of the left received a soaking treatment with Peroxide and Hot water before being hand agitated in a Hot water bath for a while. The shirt on the right just received the hot water bath. They both were rinsed, ringed, and then hung up on my shower door to dry. It is freezing out, or otherwise I would utilize the sun.
Whiten1.jpg
Two shirts prior to treatment
Two shirts prior to treatment
Whiten2.jpg
Peroxide and Hot Water
Peroxide and Hot Water
Whiten2.5.jpg
Hot Water agitation
Hot Water agitation
Whiten3.jpg
Drying
Drying
Whiten4.jpg
Results.
Results.
Whitencompare.jpg
Side by Side Comparison
Side by Side Comparison Pre and Post

- Tim's Homestead Journal - Purchase a copy of Building a Better World in Your Backyard - Purchase 6 Decks of Permaculture Cards -
- Purchase 12x Decks of Permaculture Cards - Purchase a copy of the SKIP Book - Purchase 12x copies of Building a Better World in your Backyard

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Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete.  Well done

 
Katherine Quick
Posts: 40
10
posted 1 year ago
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Approved submission
I took two similarly dingy rags and whitened one in a solution of organic white vinegar and hot water. I soaked it overnight and then dried it in the sun. It’s not bright white but it’s noticeably whiter than the other.
IMG_3638.jpeg
Before
Before
IMG_3640.jpeg
[Thumbnail for IMG_3640.jpeg]
IMG_3639.jpeg
During
During
IMG_3641.jpeg
During
During
IMG_3649.jpeg
After
After
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Ash Jackson approved this submission.

 
Jojo Cameron
pioneer
Posts: 173
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posted 1 year ago
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Approved submission
I don't know that it comes across in the photos, but the t-shirt I lemon-bleached *was* a bit brighter afterwards.  I did it twice to make sure.
20240420_180327.jpg
Equipement.
Equipment.
20240420_180139.jpg
Control shirt on left; shirt to be bleached on right.
Control shirt on left; shirt to be bleached on right.
20240420_180810.jpg
Lemon juice and salt.
Lemon juice and salt.
20240420_183659.jpg
Drying in low-level sunlight.
Drying in low-level sunlight.
20240420_204301.jpg
Still not the same shade of white as the control shirt, yet a bit brighter than before.
Still not the same shade of white as the control shirt, yet a bit brighter than before.

They say time's the great healer, and that's true. It's just not a very good anaesthetist, is the problem,
Whose lunar deity is not male is destined to be dominated by his wife. -- Old Hindu proverb

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Laura Quick
Posts: 77
14
posted 1 year ago
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Approved submission

Dave Burton wrote:This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Nest.

In this Badge Bit, you will get whiter whites without chlorine bleach or any other toxic materials.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
   - Maybe use a pair of white things that are equally dingy (socks? two white shirts?), wash them both, then do your white treatment on one to show an improvement

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
   - before cleaning the whites
   - show what you're cleaning the whites with
   - progress of cleaning the whites
   - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
   - report on the cleaners/methods you used

IMG_2435.jpeg
I soaked one of the rags in hot water and white vinegar overnight, then left it in the sun to dry.
I soaked one of the rags in hot water and white vinegar overnight, then left it in the sun to dry.
IMG_2439.jpeg
Soaking in white vinegar
Soaking in white vinegar
DSC_0686.jpeg
Whitened cloth
Whitened cloth
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Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete.  Well done

 
Fiona Quick
Posts: 36
4
posted 1 year ago
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Approved submission

Dave Burton wrote:This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Nest.

In this Badge Bit, you will get whiter whites without chlorine bleach or any other toxic materials.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
   - Maybe use a pair of white things that are equally dingy (socks? two white shirts?), wash them both, then do your white treatment on one to show an improvement

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
   - before cleaning the whites
   - show what you're cleaning the whites with
   - progress of cleaning the whites
   - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
   - report on the cleaners/methods you used

FBEE5249-69F2-4271-98E6-61219E3AC7D0.jpeg
Before
I started with two discolored rags. I clean one with boiling water and vinegar and let it soak overnight. Then l left it out in the sun to dry.
69D17384-58C9-4944-898A-967628FBA9D1.jpeg
Vinegar as a whitener
Vinegar as a whitener
99223FCA-65D6-4F31-B0F1-28C915B6594D.jpeg
Sun drying and whitening
Sun drying and whitening
F2CF90A2-B1F0-4F6E-BAAA-E11EB70E30AA.jpeg
After
After
Staff note (gir bot) :

Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete.  Well done.  Photos are perfect

 
Cheryl Loomans
pollinator
Posts: 304
90
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posted 9 months ago
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Very dingy pillow cover for a formed foam pillow. I soaked it in super washing soda and then added it to the regular laundry which was done by hand today. Then it sat in the sun for most of the day. I'm impressed with the improvement but will try lemon juice next time.
20240819_201400.jpg
soaking in washing soda
soaking in washing soda
20240819_124113.jpg
detergent
detergent
20240819_123322.jpg
before treatment
before treatment
20240819_164042.jpg
after treatment and sun soak
after treatment and sun soak
20240819_164028.jpg
see the improvement?
see the improvement?

"The winter will ask what we did all summer" - Henry David Thoreau

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Rebekah Harmon approved this submission.
Note: yay! the sun wins out today !

 
Katie See
Posts: 49
10
posted 8 months ago
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I tried whitening some socks, the whitened one doesn’t look perfect, but looks Better than it had before. I used salt, lemon juice, and the sun to whiten it.
1EC2FCBC-A459-4ACE-A428-5821DEFB8EAE.jpeg
Before
Before
B0EEDD7B-0112-4D1C-96B5-18F54644558C.jpeg
Lemon juice and salt
Lemon juice and salt
8FFD1C19-4919-43D0-A4C0-8F1B6A3EFAFB.jpeg
Soaking.
Soaking.
8F74B2B4-6E32-4C7D-A659-1B8012270ED5.jpeg
The sock in the sun.
The sock in the sun.
969EC793-CF34-41C4-A7FF-9CC9925DC9AE.jpeg
The whitened sock. ( the circled one is the sock that got treated.)
The whitened sock. ( the circled one is the sock that got treated.)
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Jessica Michell approved this submission.

 
Joy Hancock
pollinator
Posts: 173
68
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posted 7 months ago
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I whitened 2 t-shirts, a handkerchief, and a kitchen towel. I soaked them all overnight in a bucket of hot water with 3 tbsp citric acid. Then I washed them in the washing machine and let them dry in the sun for 4 hours. I would say they're noticeably whiter and most of the stains are out too!
image_50381057.JPG
before
before
image_67191297.JPG
citric acid
citric acid
image_50351361.JPG
soaking
soaking
image_50410753.JPG
after
after
image_50456065.JPG
side by side, before and after
side by side, before and after

"Despise not the day of small things."

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Jessica Michell approved this submission.
Note: Wow! Nice work.

 
Alexandra Malecki
gardener
Posts: 525
Location: 6a; BSk; Suburbia; 0.35 acres
203
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posted 4 months ago
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Approved submission

Dave Burton wrote:In this Badge Bit, you will get whiter whites without chlorine bleach or any other toxic materials.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
   - Maybe use a pair of white things that are equally dingy (socks? two white shirts?), wash them both, then do your white treatment on one to show an improvement

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
   - before cleaning the whites
   - show what you're cleaning the whites with
   - progress of cleaning the whites
   - finished cleaning the whites (must look noticeably whiter than they were before)
   - report on the cleaners/methods you used



I tested a citric acid solution and a hydrogen peroxide solution on previously laundered socks. I used strong concentrations for 2 hrs of soaking time. 1 tbsp of citric acid OR hydrogen peroxide to 1.5c water. I then laid the socks out on snow to sun for 2 hrs, then hung them in the sun to dry. The sock on the left of the photo is always the citric acid solution and the sock on the right is the hydrogen peroxide solution. If there's a photo with a sock in the center, then it's the control - without any additional whitening solution added to it.

I tried taking photos in a few different lighting environments because I don't think that the photo effectively shows the improvement/contrast well. However, in-person, the hydrogen peroxide solution was way more effective. I actually think that the snow photo (with the wet socks after the 2hrs in the solution) does the best job showing the contrast but that photo doesn't include the control sock. The citric acid sock appears to have a yellow hue whereas the hydrogen peroxide sock has a blue hue which appears whiter.
1_before-cleaning-the-whites-and-what-I-m-cleaning-with.jpg
[Thumbnail for 1_before-cleaning-the-whites-and-what-I-m-cleaning-with.jpg]
2_soaking-the-socks-in-the-solutions.jpg
[Thumbnail for 2_soaking-the-socks-in-the-solutions.jpg]
3_socks-sunning-in-snow.jpg
[Thumbnail for 3_socks-sunning-in-snow.jpg]
4_sock-drying-in-the-sun.jpg
[Thumbnail for 4_sock-drying-in-the-sun.jpg]
5_finished-cleaning-the-whites.jpg
[Thumbnail for 5_finished-cleaning-the-whites.jpg]

I'm pursuing SKIP to inherit property, check it out for yourself: SKIP book or maybe you're my Otis/Otessa match?
I love that Rocket Mass Heaters are Carbon-Nuetral. In Erica's and Ernies Art of Fire Presentation, Erica explains the chemistry of how that's possible!
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Jesse Lane
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posted 3 months ago
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This is my attempt at getting whiter whites. I used a pair of socks After a normal wash. The right sock was my test sock.  The first round I used hydrogen peroxide. I couldn’t see a difference after several hours.  The Second round I scrubbed it with a lemon and then forgot about it overnight. The next morning I rinsed it out and hung it on the line to dry in the sun. These are the results on the right sock. Slightly less gray and brighter white.
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My pair of socks after typical washing. Right sock is the test sock
My pair of socks after typical washing. Right sock is the test sock
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First try with hydrogen peroxide
First try with hydrogen peroxide
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Second try scrubbed with a lemon
Second try scrubbed with a lemon
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on the line
on the line
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Finished. Right sock is the test sock.
Finished. Right sock is the test sock.

J Lane

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Amy Pulsipher
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posted 2 months ago
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After washing and drying these shirts, I noticed they were dingy. I took one and soaked/agitated it in hot water with the juice of a lemon, then dried it in sunshine.
PXL_20250405_211426294.jpg
Dingy shirts before whitening
Dingy shirts before whitening
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I added lemon and washed in a 5-gallon bucket with a modified plunger.
I added lemon and washed in a 5-gallon bucket with a modified plunger.
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Hung in the sunshine for a few hours
Hung in the sunshine for a few hours
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It worked! Compare un-lemonified on the left to the citrused on the right.
It worked! Compare un-lemonified on the left to the citrused on the right.

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - Maurice Switzer

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Jean Rudd
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posted 2 weeks ago
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Ok, this may be a fail, but we have to start where we are ...

I decided my mop heads were dingy instead of white.  Here's the 4 mop heads I'm testing:  2 with blue stripe and 2 plain.  I washed them by had, each pair had one of each type.

I washed them by had in the sink with soap.  Pair 3 had citric acid added in the form of an old bottle of lime juice I found in my storage pantry.  Very expired.  But still acidic.  

I set the 2 pair of mop heads out in the sun for a day.  For kicks, I added some lime juice to the conventional washer load of whites I was doing with the remaining mop heads in it.

After sun drying, you couldn't really tell which was which.  The lime ones may have been slightly cleaner.

But here's where the fail comes in.  The washer load of mop heads with lime juice was noticeably whiter than normal and than all of my handwashing.  So this just proves that I am sub-standard at hand laundering.  I'll go over and try that badge bit next maybe!


mop-heads-before.jpg
Mop heads before test. Then I mopped the floors with them so they were even grungier.
Mop heads before test. Then I mopped the floors with them so they were even grungier.
mops2.jpg
Adding hot water to the dirty pairs of mop heads.
Adding hot water to the dirty pairs of mop heads.
mops3.jpg
Adding soap.
Adding soap.
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Getting some good suds.
Getting some good suds.
mops5.jpg
This is the jar of expired lime juice.
This is the jar of expired lime juice.
mops-last.jpg
Here are the final pictures after sun drying. Top was the machine-wash. Next pair down was the lime, then finally the ordinary wash.
Here are the final pictures after sun drying. Top was the machine-wash. Next pair down was the lime, then finally the ordinary wash.

~ jean (self-learner, homeschooling mom, DIY'er)
Teach the next generation by teaching them to love learning | https://selfeducatingfamily.com/

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Note: On my phone I couldn’t tell the difference. But on my iPad I can definitely see the difference.  Good job.

 
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