There is a simple way to wash white laundry items that are difficult to clean and have been tarnished by dark stains, to prevent you from putting them through the washing machine lots of times. Clothing items like socks and shirts become tarnished easily as they consist of material which readily absorbs them. Stains can set fast if you leave them on the item of clothing for a bit.

It might seem easy to use bleach to clean difficult stains; however, its toxic properties may react unpleasantly with the stain, which can make the white clothes appear tarnished. It is also difficult to use bleach on stains that are grease-based. This can damage the clothing material. However, Annalise, an expert from Thrive Market, has discovered a much more suitable solution than bleach – and that’s lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide.

She said: “Citric acid is the natural compound inside responsible for lightening and brightening. It’s as effective as conventional fabric whitening products.”

She advised: “Add a mixture of [half a] cup lemon juice (ideally, fresh) and [one and a half] cups hydrogen peroxide to the load along with detergent to brighten dingy whites. Be careful to separate out any colours, like bleach, as it could cause them to fade.”

Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes produce citric acid. This acid can dissolve most common stains, such as sweat and food but will also break down any soap left on clothing by laundry detergents to help brighten the fabric as well.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound mostly made up of hydrogen and oxygen, but it is used in cleaning as a milder bleach alternative to help whiten clothes.

When hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with tough stains, it releases oxygen molecules, which break down the stain pigments, making it easier to wash them away.

All you need to do is add 120ml of lemon juice and 360ml of hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration) to the drum of your washing machine.

Use your usual laundry detergent and place the laundry on your usual wash cycle.

Once the wash is done, hang them outside if you can, as sunlight can react with the citric acid to also help white clothing.

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can also help break down stains and remove yellowing if you have tried to treat the fabric with bleach in the past.

However, be cautious and only leave white clothing on the line for a maximum of a day, as overexposure to sunlight for too long can weaken the fabric.