As anyone with crisp, white bed sheets knows, keeping your white fabrics bright and clean can be a total chore. That’s why we think an easy-to-use and effective laundry whitener is a necessary item in your laundry care routine. “White fabrics are prone to yellowing with age and use,” explains Krissia Garcia, Founder and CEO of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean.
Using a laundry whitener can help get rid of these stains as well as boost the brightness of your white laundry. But, more importantly, these cleaning gems can keep your pricey high thread count sheets looking good.
Plus, we think it’s better to use the right products that will keep whites bright rather than try to correct the problem later. But, first things first. Before you run off to the store to scan the aisles, we think it’s equally important to look for a laundry whitener that will actually work with your machine and other laundry products, such as detergents and fabric softeners. With that in mind, we looked high and low and thoroughly researched the best laundry whiteners available, zeroing in on effectiveness, safety, and ease of use.
Best Overall
OxiClean White Revive
Effective whitening and stain removal
Easy to control amount used
Presoak is effective
Budget-friendly bulk options
Strong scent
Stain removal takes time
The superior cleaning power of OxiClean White Revive puts it at the very top of our list. It's safe to use on colors and doesn’t include chlorine. And we liked how well it brightened whites and tackled even tough stains, such as yellowing, grass, mud, pasta sauce, mustard, and butter. It worked particularly well as a pre-soak for tough stains. Even adding it to the regular wash brightened whites significantly. We noted that it's important to add the powder to the water, and let it dissolve completely before adding your clothing.
Even though it is chlorine-free, OxiClean has a strong scent. It isn’t unpleasant, but might be overpowering in an enclosed laundry room. If you are able to open a window or run a fan, the scent will dissipate. Using it as a presoak takes up to six hours, which makes it even more important to ensure you have enough fresh air.
This formula comes in multiple size containers of powder, as well as a liquid solution and pods. You can buy it in bulk, making it one of the most economical as well as the most effective options on our list. The powder is by far the most versatile because you can easily control how much you use and mix it into water for a pre-treat stain remover. While the other methods can be used in the same way, they take a bit more work to use.
Form: Powder | Amount: 3 pounds | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Yes
Best Budget
Clorox Splash-Less Bleach
Strong brightening power
Won’t splash or drip
Cap prevents leaks
Not safe for colors
Takes up space
Bleach is one of the most effective whitening and stain removal agents out there. But you have to be careful where it goes, making this splash-less formula a great way to get the power of bleach in an easy to use application. The cap is designed to prevent leaks and the thicker liquid solution results in fewer splash and drips when you pour it. Keep in mind that this is a strong bleach solution, so you shouldn’t use it on colors. It's also a good idea to wear gloves to protect your skin when using it.
We also love that this is economical. It comes in a two bottle set with a total of 110 fluid ounces. Depending on your use, it may be all of the bleach that you need for a year or more. It does take up space and is heavy, however. Just be sure that you really need to buy in bulk. If not, you can get a smaller quantity, which is still budget-friendly.
Form: Liquid | Amount: 110 fl.oz. | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: No
Best Eco-Friendly
Savvy Green Oxygen Brightening Powder
Bleach, phosphate, and chlorine free
Fragrance free
Can be used as a cleaning paste
Recyclable packaging
Need a lot to be effective
This eco-friendly alternative to harsh laundry whiteners uses oxygen to lift dinginess alongside your normal laundry detergent. It's one of the safest products for the widest use, including in high-efficiency washing machines, for colors and whites, and even around the house as a cleaning paste. It's free of phosphate, chlorine, and fragrances. Eco-conscious customers will also like that the packaging, as well as the included scoop, is recyclable.
You will need quite a bit of this powder to see results. Soaking can make it more effective, although that adds time to your laundry routine. It comes in a 2.5 pound package, but if you are using it often you’ll go through that amount quickly.
Form: Powder | Amount: 2.5 pounds | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Yes
Best Bleach
Amaze! Ultra Concentrated Bleach Tablets
Concentrated solution
Won’t spill
HE machine safe
Affordable
Can irritate skin
Not safe for colors
Want to use bleach without the mess? These tablets are concentrated bleach that you throw in with your wash to brighten whites. You can put one or two tablets in with your normal wash routine, depending on the size of the load. While they aren’t safe for colors, you can use it on fabrics that you would use traditional liquid bleach with. They work in high-efficiency machines. Plus, surprise, you can even use them to freshen and clean your toilet or other surfaces.
Just note, you should keep them out of the reach of children and pets because they are concentrated bleach. It might also irritate skin, so be careful when handling them. Fortunately, they won’t spill like liquid bleach, so that's one less thing to worry about.
Form: Tablets | Amount: 32 | Scent: Meadow | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: No
Best without Bleach
Nellie’s Oxygen Brightener
Oxygen-based brightening
Doesn’t leave film or smell
Makes fabrics soft and bright
Expensive
Nellie’s uses oxygen to boost and brighten whites instead of bleach. This makes it safe for all machines and colors, and it's less harsh on fabrics. Users noted that their clothing, towels, and sheets come out softer after adding Nellie’s Oxygen Brightener to their washing routine. We love that it won’t leave behind a film or smell that can sometimes accompany bleach-based whiteners.
It's a bit pricey, especially considering it only comes with 15 scoops of powder. You can get a bulk size container, which is takes up more space but is more economical if you use it often. Because it is a powder-based formula, it doesn’t take up the space that water-based detergents and whiteners do.
Form: Powder | Amount: 0.55 pounds | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Yes
Best for Stains
All Oxi Laundry Booster Free & Clear
Part of stain-fighting line
Free of perfumes and dyes
Works on household surfaces
Pricey
All OXO Laundry Booster is an extra that works alongside your favorite laundry detergent to keep your whites bright and clean. It has stain lifters that work on laundry as well as other household surfaces. When you use the booster with detergent, it creates even better stain-fighting power.
We like that this product is free of perfumes and dyes, making it a good option for those with sensitivities. Just know it's a bit more expensive than some liquid options, mostly due to the convenience. They aren’t as pricey as pods, however. Each container can do around 48 loads of laundry.
Form: Powder | Amount: 3.25 pounds | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Yes
Best Bluing
Mrs. Stewart's Liquid Bluing
Doesn’t use bleach
Very economical
Long-trusted formula
Too much can stain fabrics
Some fabrics react differently
This solution changes the undertone of your whites, making them appear even brighter and more vibrant. It has been around for 140 years as one of the most economical and effective ways to brighten whites without using bleach. A little bit really does go a long way, with only a few drops needed for a typical load. In fact, too much can stain your fabrics.
You do need to dilute it and not all fabrics react the same way, something that we noted during testing. It's better to start with a very small amount to see how it reacts with your whites. The way it works goes something like this: the formula actually changes the pigment of the fabric by adding blue, which makes it appear brighter and more white. While it can take some trial and error to perfect, this is a good option for those who don’t want to use bleach or other harsh chemicals.
Form: Liquid | Amount: 8 fl.oz. | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Not listed | Safe for Colors: Not listed
Best Liquid
Out Laundry Whitener
Great for treating stains
Can be used to boost laundry
Septic-safe
Safe for colorfast fabrics
Needs gloves during use
You can use this liquid laundry whitener as a pretreatment for stains or alongside detergent as a booster in you wash. It's easy to control and use just the amount you want to use, which can save money. It works on yellowing caused by iron and rust, as well as red stains like those from clay and dirt. It is especially recommended for white sports uniforms, such as baseball pants.
It is a strong formula and the manufacturer recommends wearing gloves when you handle it. You should also make sure to provide enough ventilation if you are letting it sit during presoak. It is safe for your washing machine and system, however, even high-efficiency machines and septic systems. It is also good for most colorfast fabrics.
Form: Liquid | Amount: 4.75 pounds | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Yes
Best Pods
OxiClean White Revive Power Paks
Easy to use
Won’t spill or leak
Can be used as a pretreatment for stains
Safe for colors
A bit pricey
These pods provide the power of the OxiClean White Revive formula that you can toss into the laundry. This cuts down on potential skin irritation because the solution is kept entirely in the pod and won’t come into contact with anything until after the wash cycle begins. It's safe for colors and both top- and front-load washing machines. Because they are pods, you won’t have to worry about spills or leaks.
These are a bit expensive when you consider that the package only contains 24 pods, but still a good value. The powder or liquid formulas are more economical but not as convenient. You can use it as a presoak stain treatment, although you will need to let the pod dissolve in water first.
Form: Pods | Amount: 24 count | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Yes
Best Powder
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Only two ingredients
Can be used around the house
Easy to use as a paste or powder
Not great for tough stains
This simple washing soda generates a lot of cleaning power, whether it’s as a laundry whitener or for other household cleaning. It's made of sodium carbonate and water, but comes in powder form. You can mix it to make a paste or put it in your washing machine alongside your detergent to boost and brighten whites. As a paste, it can be used to treat stains, although it isn’t the most effective option on super stubborn stains. We like that it's super affordable, making it another all-purpose cleaner to add to your cabinets.
It's also good to get rid of odors and can remove tarnish from silver, gold, brass, and copper. If you have delicate fabrics or materials, Arm and Hammer recommends testing an inconspicuous area to make sure that it won’t react negatively. Fortunately, with such a simple formula, it's easy to keep track of what ingredients you should avoid.
Form: Powder | Amount: 55 oz. | Scent: Unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes | Safe for Colors: Varies
Final Verdict
Our top pick, OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Removal, is one of the most effective laundry whiteners and can be used on a variety of fabrics. It also happens to be a great value. If you want something even more budget-friendly, consider Clorox Splash-less Bleach, which has strong whitening and stain-fighting power, but should only be used on whites.
What to Look for in a Laundry Whitener
Form
Laundry whiteners come in liquid, powder, tablets, and pods. Liquids and powders are the most common and are easy to measure out just the amount that you need. Some, such as Clorox Splash-less Bleach, are formulated to reduce splashing and spilling. Tablets and pods, like AMAZE! Ultra Concentrated Bleach Tablets and OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Remover Power Paks, are convenient because they come pre-measured. All you have to do is throw one into your washing machine.
Stain Type
If you are dealing with stubborn stains, you may need a laundry whitener that can be used as a pretreat soak solution. The All OXO Laundry Booster with Stainlifters is part of a great line with extra stain-fighting power but our top pick, OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Removal, remains one of the best options for stains as well as general brightening.
Ingredients
Some laundry whiteners use oxygen-based cleaning ingredients to lift out stains and boost brightness in your laundry. Others use bleach but are often just safe for white fabrics. The simplest formulas, such as Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster Super Washing Soda, includes only a few ingredients and can be used all around the home to clean and brighten.
Temperature
Look for laundry whitener that can be used in both hot and cold water. The OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Removal is a great option that works in all water and types of washing machines.
Color Safe
If you plan to use your laundry whitener on colors, make sure that it is a color-safe formula. The OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Removal and OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Remover Power Paks are both good for this purpose. Bleach-based laundry whiteners are typically just used on white fabrics, although some are safe for colorfast fabrics.
“It’s always a good idea to test new products on a small amount of clothing before putting it in with your entire wash,” recommends pro cleaner Krissia Garcia of Kriss Klean.
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Do laundry whiteners work?
Laundry whiteners work by targeting stains as well as removing yellowish tints that build up on white fabrics over time. Some work by removing these stains while others change the hue of the fabric to make it appear brighter and whiter.
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Can I use a laundry whitener on all my clothes?
Some laundry whiteners can be used on almost all fabrics while others are only suited to particular fabrics or colors. You should always follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and test it on a small amount of fabric if you aren’t sure. Bleach solutions typically have the most limited utility and can only be used on white fabrics. Oxygen-based laundry whiteners are generally better for colored fabrics.
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How often should you use laundry whiteners on your clothes?
For specific stains, you can use a laundry whitener as a presoak or as needed to treat the stain. For general whitening, you can use the laundry whitener with each load or periodically to give your clothing and linens a boost.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Melynn has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. She compiled this list using tester data and reviews, as well as research on the types of laundry whiteners and their many uses.
Our Experts:
- Krissia Garcia, Founder and CEO of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean has over 10 years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning.