Bedding can become quite discoloured and yellow over time. When you’re sleeping, your body releases natural oils and sweat that leave behind stains.

This unpleasant hue can be stubborn and difficult to get rid of with just regular washing. 

Fortunately, there are ways to get your sheets back to the crisp white you love without the need for bleach.

Bleach is always a popular option for whitening sheets and other white fabrics. Whether you need to restore the colour of the entire sheet, or just need to spot-treat a stain, bleach is a powerful ingredient.

While bleach can be very helpful, it is very harsh on the natural fibres that make up your bed sheets. 

Overdoing it with bleach can cause your bed sheets to feel rough and it can even cause the bonds of the fibres to weaken and make them more susceptible to rips and tears.

Instead, bedding experts at Delilah Home recommend using an alternative product that’s natural, but not your usual baking soda or white vinegar.

They recommend using borax. However, as borax is banned in the UK you can pick up a borax substitute which is non-toxic and safe to use.

According to the experts, this product is a “highly effective whitening agent” that aids in “lifting discolourations and stains”, and returning laundry “back to sparkling white”. 

They added that it works best when it’s exposed to the fabric for long periods of time. For this reason, adding it to water and soaking your white sheets overnight is often “the most effective way” to use it.

Borax substitute is gentler than soda crystals, yet stronger than bicarbonate of soda. It is so effective it can even be used on a lower temperature wash.