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How to quickly bleach tulle at home. How to bleach tulle at home from gray and yellowness? How to bleach tulle in a washing machine? Caring for sheer curtains

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How to bleach tulle at home quickly - effective methods for different materials

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To decorate rooms, many housewives around the world use light-colored curtains. Immediately after purchase, they look impressive and elegant, but time passes, and dirt gradually settles on the curtains. Dust, ultraviolet radiation, exhaust fumes from the street - all this spoils the original color of the curtains; they become covered with an unpleasant yellowish-gray coating.

However, do not despair and give up. Your beautiful curtains can return to their former whiteness. In this article we will talk about how to bleach tulle at home quickly and effectively.


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Revealing the secrets of whitening

If dirt appears, a fairly logical solution would be to send the curtains to be washed in the washing machine. However, not all so simple. This option will not only not return the original color to your curtains, but will only worsen the whole situation. Let's figure out once and for all how to remove yellowness from tulle. For this purpose, a variety of means are used: both folk ones, inherited from the grandmother, and modern household chemicals.

Chemical bleaches

How to bleach curtains using modern means? There are three large groups of industrial bleaches:

  1. Chlorine-containing. The positive features of this type are high efficiency and low price. Chlorine is the main active ingredient. This chemical is very aggressive, so it must be used with extreme caution. Under its influence, the fibers and structure of the fabric become thinner and destroyed, it quickly wears out and breaks. This product cannot be used more than once on the same material. Otherwise, you may get the opposite of what you want: dull stains will become permanently attached to your curtains.
  2. Oxygen-containing. As a result of a chemical reaction, free oxygen is released, which literally knocks dirt out of the fabric. These products do their job quite well, and in themselves they are not dangerous to the structure of the material. The only “but”: they only work in hot water, which can negatively affect the condition of the fabric.
  3. Optical. This method is fundamentally different from the two above. The task here is not to remove stains, but simply to pretend that the curtains are clean. Due to a chemical reaction, tiny particles of luminescent dye are fixed in the structure of the fabric, causing it to literally glow from the inside. The top layer of the material creates an optical illusion of snow-white color.


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Homemade bleaches and how to use them

Now let's turn to the origins bequeathed to us by our ancestors. It's time to learn how to whiten curtains at home without using industrial chemicals. You will be pleasantly surprised when you realize that All of the following products are no less effective, and the fabric is treated much more carefully. Another important feature is the hypoallergenic nature of home bleaches.

Salt

Yes, yes, ordinary table salt, which is available in every kitchen. Don't believe me? Let's find out how to bleach tulle with salt. You will need coarse non-iodized salt (6 tablespoons), washing powder (half a glass) and plain water (10 liters). The curtains should be soaked in this solution for at least 4 hours, or even better overnight. After the time has passed, we wash the curtains in the washing machine.

This method gives a guaranteed result and is extremely easy to use.

Zelenka

This option sounds even stranger, don’t you think? Well, let's figure out how to bleach old tulle with a solution of brilliant green. Mix brilliant green (10-15 drops) with water (about a glass) and leave for a couple of minutes. Then you need to check whether a precipitate has formed. If a precipitate appears, then drain the liquid and stir again until completely dissolved. Pour the solution into a container of warm water (10 liters), stir thoroughly and lower the curtains there for no longer than 5 minutes. We take it out and hang it up, let the water drain on its own.

Blue

Household blue is a combination of pigment and ordinary starch. How to whiten tulle curtains at home using it? Much easier than you think. This fall method is similar to the previous one, the only difference is in the colors of the bleach. Dissolve one capful of blue powder in 10 liters of warm water, check for the presence of sedimentary lumps. Dip the curtains in the solution for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly in clean water. Lightly wring out the fabric and hang to dry.

Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide

These cheap products do a great job when the problem arises of how to bleach yellowed tulle at home. Please note that this method does not work with synthetic fabric. The first thing to do is mix a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide (2 tablespoons), ammonia (1 tablespoon) in a container with hot water (5-7 liters). Place the curtains there for 15 minutes, then put on protective gloves, rinse the fabric with clean water and hang to dry.

Starch

First you need to wash the tulle by hand or in a machine, then mix potato starch (1 cup) with warm water (1 cup). Pour the resulting solution into a 7-10 liter container and stir. We leave the curtains to soak for 5 hours, then hang them to dry without spinning.

Starch not only perfectly whitens curtains, but also gives them a voluminous, embossed shape and creates beautiful folds. In addition, a thin film is formed on the fabric, which can repel dirt for some time. This will keep your curtains clean longer.

Laundry soap

The most common soap, which can be bought at any hardware store, can restore the whiteness of your tulle. You should take soap (1 briquette) and grate it on a coarse grater. Mix the resulting crumbs with water (3-4 liters) and boil. Add cold water (3-4 liters) and place the curtains in the soapy solution. Let the curtains sit in the pan for 6-12 hours, then remove them and wash them.


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Whitening nylon curtains

Having dealt with various types of industrial and popular bleaches, you need to learn how to bleach nylon curtains at home. Nylon is a durable material, but requires high maintenance and is quite difficult to work with. The use of chemical bleach is strictly prohibited, and the water temperature when washing should not be higher than 30 degrees.

So, if during cleaning you are faced with the problem of how to bleach nylon tulle at home, then you have a choice from the following options. It is correct and safe to use soaking in salt, solutions of green or blue. You can also use another method of whitening, which is carried out using potassium permanganate. After the procedure, the nylon should be washed in a machine on a gentle wash cycle.

Whitening organza curtains

Organza is a very fragile and delicate fabric; it is resistant to high temperatures and aggressive household chemicals. But the interior looks stylish and elegant both in real life and in the photo.

For the bleaching process, the water should not be hotter than 40 degrees. Among folk remedies, solutions of salt, brilliant green, blue, as well as ammonia diluted with hydrogen peroxide work perfectly. After rinsing, the curtains should be hung to dry without wringing. It is believed that potato starch will do the job best. It will strengthen the structure of the fabric, give it textured hardness and make it snow-white.

Bleaching old tulle curtains

With old curtains, you will have to put in a lot of effort to remove dirt stains from them. However, returning to the original color is not a pipe dream, but a very real possibility. Most importantly, follow these instructions:

  1. The first step is to wash it in the washing machine to clean the top layer of fabric.
  2. Prepare a strong solution of soap crumbs and boil the tulle in it.
  3. The next step is to prepare a solution of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, soak the fabric in it for 10-20 minutes.
  4. Mix the saline solution and rinse the curtains in it.
  5. The final stage is rinsing in a starch solution, this will fix the fresh color and add texture to the fabric.

Bleaching in a washing machine

You can also bleach curtains in a washing machine located in any bathroom. This option is the simplest because you are not required to monitor the process.

Before you begin, wash your curtains yourself. Only one curtain should be in the machine, as other things can stain the fabric and ruin it. There are special mesh bags that prevent fabric deformation. Place the tulle inside and wash on a delicate cycle. The temperature should not be higher than 40 degrees, and the drum speed should not exceed 400.


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In order for you to cope with bleaching your favorite curtains and not have any extraneous problems in the process, we have compiled a list of useful tips and recommendations:

  • immediately before washing, knock out or shake out dust from the curtains;
  • Don’t crumple the tulle haphazardly and carelessly throw it into the washing machine. Fold the fabric several times, carefully smooth out any irregularities and place in the drum;
  • if your curtains are too dirty, you can soak them the night before washing in a solution of water with the addition of washing powder;
  • washing is carried out strictly in a delicate or gentle mode, the fabric must be handled carefully;
  • using a special mesh bag will help reduce the possibility of negative impacts to a minimum;
  • the water temperature during washing and bleaching should not exceed 30-40 degrees, otherwise dirt and yellowness can penetrate even deeper into the structure of the fabric and become fixed there;
  • to effectively complete the process and give the fabric a final shine, rinse the curtains in water mixed with vinegar (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water);
  • Do not wring out the tulle after bleaching or washing, hang it wet. The folds will smooth out themselves under the influence of gravity;
  • It’s better not to iron the curtains, but if such a need arises, then set the mode to the most gentle setting.

Whitening your favorite curtains at home is not so difficult, just follow the rules described above, be careful and careful. Good luck with the rehabilitation of your curtains!

Tulle - mesh fabric made of silk, nylon or organza , a real decoration for any window. However, over time, this decoration tends to turn yellow or darken.

The housewife has to look for solutions to restore the product to its original shine and freshness. Regular washing in hot water is harmful to delicate fabrics.

Tulle tolerates only gentle temperatures and does not tolerate spinning in a washing machine, but the means at hand will help you cope with stains.

How to bleach tulle from gray to white

Tulle often turns gray from dust if it hangs near an open window or is stored incorrectly.

If thin fabric has colored prints or embroidery, then the use of soda or hydrogen peroxide is unacceptable; you will need:

  • 400 g of neutral powder (easily replaced with soap shavings);
  • 3 tbsp. l. acetic essence or acid 70-80%;
  • 10 liters of warm water (not higher than 50 ˚С).

Curtains should be removed, shaken to remove dust and small debris, immersed in a warm soap-vinegar solution for 10-15 minutes, gently squeezed 2-3 times with your hands without removing them from the water.

You need to rinse the curtains first in warm and then in cold water, without twisting them during the spin cycle, and dry them in the shade, straightening them out as much as possible.

The same method can easily bleach regular white tulle.

How to bleach tulle from yellowness

Often tulle turns yellow when exposed to sunlight or hot fumes if the curtains decorate a kitchen window. Salt and ammonia will help correct the situation.

Pre-dusted curtains should be soaked in a strong saline solution. To do this, take 1 glass of salt per 10 liters of warm water, leave the item in the liquid for 3-4 hours.

  • 10 liters of boiling water;
  • 2 tbsp. l. ammonia 10%;
  • 2 tbsp. l. liquid turpentine;
  • 200 g neutral powder;
  • a tank with an enamel coating or a deep basin.

A tank with a lid would be preferable because... turpentine has an unpleasant odor. Dissolve the powder in boiling water (you can take soap shavings), turpentine and ammonia, cool to 40˚C.

The tulle curtains, wrung out and rinsed after the salt bath, should be immersed in the solution so that it covers the fabric completely, leave for 10-12 hours, tightly closing the lid. You will have to rinse thoroughly, changing the water 2-3 times, and dry it outdoors in the shade.

Attention! This washing method cannot be used frequently on items, otherwise it will have a detrimental effect on the fabric.

How to bleach old tulle

It happens that old curtains that have turned yellow or gray with time are so loved that you don’t want to replace them with new ones. There are 3 ways to resuscitate aged curtains.


Bleaching with borax and starch

You need to take 30 ml of borax (sodium tetraborate in glycerin 20%), 10 liters of water, 6-8 g of starch (preferably potato) and follow the instructions:

  1. After normal washing, soak the rinsed and slightly wrung out tulle for 1.5-2 hours in a warm aqueous solution of borax.
  2. Dissolve the starch in a small amount of cold water and brew with boiling water, stirring constantly. When the solution becomes clear, it must be carefully poured into clean cold water without stopping stirring.
  3. Immerse completely in the prepared starch solution for a few seconds.
  4. All that remains is to once again immerse the tulle, which has not been wrung out after starch, into clean cold water and hang it to drain, completely straightened. It is better to dry in direct sunlight.

Advice! Before lowering the curtains into starch, you can add a few drops of indigo carmine blue to it, which will give the tulle an additional optical effect of whiteness.

Bleaching with chlorine

This method is less popular because you have to use chlorine bleach , which “eats” a thin nylon net, but sometimes there are no other methods left.

In a basin that already contains a detergent solution, add no more than 2 caps of sodium hypochlorite, stir thoroughly and leave for 20 minutes. until completely dissolved. The pre-soaked fabric should be immersed in the prepared soap-chlorine solution for 25-30 minutes.

Attention! Chlorine-bleached curtains should only be rinsed in warm water! This method should be used no more than 2-3 times during the entire “life” of organza or nylon. After using chlorine, a piece of silk can literally fall apart in your hands.

Boiling in soapy water

You will need a large tank, where you need to place tulle, well shaken out of dust and soaked in saline solution. All that remains is to boil it in a soap-soda solution for 20-30 minutes. For 10 l. water you will need 400 g of laundry soap shavings 72% and ½ cup of soda.

After boiling, the curtain, rinsed in warm water, is sent first to a perhydrol-ammonia bath, and then to a bath with starch and the addition of blue. A cotton curtain will not only acquire a fresh look, but will also retain its shape for a long time.

How to bleach tulle with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia?

Often, nylon or mesh curtains are decorated with dense embroidery made of thread or linen; such patterns literally “catch” all the dust and quickly take on an unpresentable appearance.


The following will help give whiteness to woven fabric:

  • 1-2 tbsp. l. ammonia alcohol;
  • 100 ml hydrogen peroxide 3%;
  • 10 liters of water heated to 60˚C.

Immerse the nylon veil, washed in the usual way, completely in a basin where the peroxide is already dissolved, and add ammonia. The foam with dirt particles that has risen as a result of the chemical reaction should be carefully drained, and the nylon with embroidery should be soaked again in a perhydrol-ammonia solution for 30-40 minutes. Rinse twice.

Perhydrol (hydroperite) tablets, previously dissolved in warm water, also give a similar effect. You should take 9 tablets per 10 liters of liquid.

How to bleach tulle with salt?

Dissolve any powder for (8-10 l) and add ½ cup of regular salt to it. Soak the curtains in the cooled solution for 8-12 hours.

Wash the curtains in the machine in the “Synthetic” mode. Gentle wash 40˚C.” To get a visible effect, the process should be repeated twice.

How to bleach tulle with brilliant green?

Pre-soak the item in salt and powder, and add 7-10 drops of 1% brilliant green to the rinse water. Make sure the product dissolves completely.


While still wet, soak in this solution for 3-5 minutes, turn the fabric over 2-3 times. Dry flat, do not wring out.

Important! The thicker the solution, the more intense the green tint of the curtains will appear, which creates the optical illusion of snowy whiteness. If you overdo it with brilliant green, the tulle will simply turn green.

How can you bleach organza, veil, synthetics, nylon fabric?

Listed below are the simplest and most economical ways to whiten nylon patterned and mesh curtains, which do not require special costs.

Blue

If you decide to bleach nylon curtains or organza tulle with blue, the recipe will be the same as in the case of brilliant green. Soak the product, wash it, add 1/2 tsp to the water. means, lower the curtains into the solution.

Mustard

This method is good for organza, silk curtains or silk embroidery. It is also suitable for removing greasy stains on kitchen curtains.

100 g of dry mustard must be stirred in a glass of cold water until completely dissolved. Brew the mixture with boiling water until liquid. Let cool.

Strain the solution and pour into a bowl of warm water, leave for 2-3 hours. Wash the curtains in this water without soap twice. Particularly greasy areas can be lightly rubbed with dry mustard. Change the solution. Repeat the procedure.

Rinse thoroughly in cold water with the addition of vodka (1/2 cup) or ethyl alcohol.

Manganese (potassium permanganate)

Dissolve several manganese crystals completely in a glass of boiling water until a dark pink solution is obtained. Carefully pour potassium permanganate into a bowl of warm water. Add as much soap or powder as needed to neutralize the manganese. You will need to take approximately 100-150 g of product.

The resulting manganese-soap solution should be slightly pink and without much foam. You can immerse synthetic material in it for 20-30 minutes. Rinse in water with vinegar and dry.

PVA glue

The glue is used as starch and bleach. Clean the curtains from dust, wash them in any convenient way and soak for 6 hours in a bowl of warm water, where 4-6 tbsp have already been dissolved. l. PVA glue.

After soaking with glue, there is no need to rinse the tulle; just hang it out to its full length and let the moisture drain.

Bleaching in a washing machine

If you don’t want to experiment with various chemicals, try washing a yellowed or grayed nylon curtain in the washing machine using the “Pause” button:

  1. Load the dust-free mesh curtains into the drum.
  2. Add 50-60 g of washing powder and the same amount of bleach.
  3. Select gentle wash mode.
  4. After the machine has taken in water and heated it to 40˚C, leave the process in “Pause” and leave it like that for 2-3 hours.
  5. Continue washing.

Conclusion

Synthetic fabrics such as organza or nylon, decorated with intricate embroidery and colorful prints, can last for many years with proper care and attention.

All these things are easy to keep in perfect order if you know how to bleach correctly. You can add an initial shine using folk remedies to any product made from the finest patterned mesh material.

Nothing refreshes the interior of a room more than light, delicate tulle, dazzling with its whiteness. Despite the availability of a huge number of window design options, white classic tulle remains for many years the number one favorite of many housewives. But unfortunately, this lightweight material has a “capricious character”, and over time, under the influence of sunlight, street dust, kitchen fumes and cigarette smoke, it acquires an unpleasant yellowish or grayish tint. We will tell you in this article how to bleach tulle at home quickly and without using special store-bought products.

Which whitening method should I choose?

To bleach tulle effectively at home, you need to choose a method and means based on the type of fabric. Today, the most common tulles are made of nylon and organza.

Organza

Organza is a beautiful, but very capricious fabric. This material does not tolerate contact with hot water and aggressive industrial bleaches. Among the folk remedies you can use organza tulle for whitening:

  • Soaking in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
  • Rinse in a saline solution with the addition of brilliant green.
  • Rinse with blue solution.

We will provide whitening recipes using folk remedies below.

Capron

Nylon is a delicate synthetic material. It needs careful washing and delicate bleaching. Nylon cannot be washed at high temperatures - maximum 30 degrees, rpm speed should not exceed 400.

It is also impossible to use industrial bleaches for this material, as they can play a cruel joke on it and damage it irreparably. Among folk remedies, you can use only those that provide a stable and reliable effect even in cold water.

Capron is not afraid:

  • Washing and soaking in saline solution.
  • Rinse in a solution of potassium permanganate.
  • Rinse in a solution of brilliant green.

Important! Voile curtains, created by weaving thin threads, quickly become dirty. To avoid damaging delicate fabrics when bleaching, wash curtains in water with the addition of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia (in a ratio of 1:2). Let the tulle sit in the solution for half an hour, then rinse it thoroughly and let it dry.

Preparing any whitening composition at home will not take much time, and the pleasant snow-white result will last for a long time. Let's look at the most popular whitening recipes.

Important! Even a sparklingly clean tulle or curtain will look tasteless in the interior if it is wrinkled or hung anyhow. Therefore, we also invite you to familiarize yourself with interesting ideas and tips that will help you bring the interior of your room to perfection:

Whitening tulle at home is the best way

To ensure that nylon and organza curtains regain their original whiteness, use one of the simple, but effective and efficient cleanliness recipes.

Salt

This method is suitable for nylon tulle that has lost its appearance.

Important! Salt is a safe, non-allergenic product that can be safely used to bleach any fabrics found in all rooms, including the children's room.

To prepare the bleach solution you will need:

  • 3-5 tbsp. spoons of coarse table salt.
  • 100 g of regular washing powder (not necessarily bleaching).
  • Basin with water.

Proceed as follows:

  1. Pour warm water into a basin.
  2. Dissolve salt and washing powder with water.
  3. Immerse the tulle in the resulting solution.
  4. Leave it to soak for 5 hours, or better yet, overnight.
  5. For heavy soiling, machine wash on a delicate cycle; for light soiling, rinse the curtain.

Important! For prevention, rinse tulle in a saline solution after each wash. Place the curtain for 15 minutes in the solution: 5 tbsp. spoons of salt per 5 liters of water. Salt makes the fabric crispy and snow-white.

Blue

To use blue for rinsing, prepare a solution: dilute half a teaspoon of blue in 7-10 liters of warm water (up to 40 degrees). Be sure to make sure that there are no lumps of product, otherwise stains will remain on the fabric.

Proceed as follows:

  1. Wash the tulle by hand.
  2. Rinse the curtain in the blue solution for 5 minutes.
  3. Rinse with clean water.

Important! If you use a washing machine to bleach, pour a capful of blue into the rinse aid compartment.

Disadvantages of this method:

  1. It is very difficult to find blue in household chemical stores and chain supermarkets.
  2. If you do not stir the product thoroughly, stubborn stains will remain on the fabric. This is why it is better to rinse by hand.

Zelenka

To quickly bleach yellow tulle at home, prepare the following solution:

  1. Dilute 5-10 drops of brilliant green with a glass of warm water.
  2. Place the container on the table.
  3. After 2 minutes, evaluate the result: if you do not see any sediment, then the solution is ready and can be used for bleaching.

Use the solution as follows:

  1. Fill the basin with water (7-10 liters of warm water).
  2. Pour out the green solution. If there is still sediment left, strain the solution.
  3. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Wash the tulle as usual.
  5. Dip the washed curtain for rinsing in a basin with the solution for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Turn the tulle over several times to ensure it bleaches evenly.
  7. Gently wring out the curtain and hang it up to drain the water.

The advantages of this method:

  • The product is very accessible and cheap.
  • Whitening takes minimal time.
  • The fabric becomes much fresher and whiter.

Disadvantage of this method: if you do not stir the brilliant green solution well enough, the fabric will not acquire a snow-white hue, but light green stains, which are quite problematic to remove.

Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia

This method can only be used for cotton curtains. Peroxide with ammonia will perfectly clean kitchen curtains from yellow plaque, dust, grease and soot.

  • 1 tbsp. spoon of ammonia.
  • 2 tbsp. spoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Instructions for use:

  1. Fill the basin with water heated to 60 degrees.
  2. Add the ingredients and mix the solution thoroughly.
  3. Place the fabric there for 20-30 minutes.
  4. Rinse the tulle.
  5. Squeeze (without twisting).
  6. Hang to dry.

Important! This method is not suitable for bleaching synthetic fabrics.

Potassium permangantsovka

Our grandmothers used this method to bleach nylon tulle at home. It is considered one of the most effective.

To prepare the solution you will need:

  • Laundry soap - 100 g.
  • Potassium permanganate.
  • A glass of water for diluting the product.

Use the ingredients as follows:

  1. Fill a basin with warm water.
  2. Grate the laundry soap and add water.
  3. Stir the soap solution thoroughly.
  4. Dissolve a small amount of potassium permanganate with a glass of water.
  5. Make sure there is no sediment at the bottom of the glass, pour the solution into the basin.
  6. The bleaching water should be soft pink, with a small amount of soap suds.
  7. Pre-wash the tulle.
  8. Dip the cloth into the cleaning solution.
  9. Leave for 30 minutes.
  10. Rinse the curtain.
  11. Hang to dry.

Advantages of the method:

  • An excellent result that lasts quite a long time.
  • Whitening takes minimal time.

Disadvantage: Finding potassium permanganate is quite difficult.

Laundry soap

Use soap suitable for washing white items:

  1. Grate the soap.
  2. Add to a pot of water.
  3. Bring the soap solution to a boil.
  4. Remove the prepared solution from the stove.
  5. Mix the contents with cool water.
  6. Soak the yellowed curtain in a warm solution for 5-7 hours.
  7. Wash the tulle by hand.
  8. Rinse thoroughly.

Starch

This method can be used to bleach nylon tulle and organza curtains.

Proceed as follows:

  1. Clean the tulle from dust.
  2. If heavily soiled, wash the curtain.
  3. Dissolve 250 g of starch in a bowl of warm water.
  4. Dip the washed tulle there for a few minutes.
  5. Rinse the curtain with water.

The curtain will not only get rid of grayness and yellowness, but will also keep its shape well in the future, and dust particles will settle not on the fabric, but on the starch, which will make it easier to wash the curtain in the future.

Soda

Like salt, soda is present in any kitchen, so it can return the curtains to their original whiteness at any time.

Use baking soda to pre-soak before machine washing as follows:

  1. To 4-5 liters of water add 50 g of washing powder and 1 tbsp. spoon of soda.
  2. Mix the solution thoroughly until the powder grains are completely dissolved.
  3. Soak the tulle with this mixture for 20 minutes.
  4. Place the curtain in the machine and wash on delicate cycle.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.

Important! Soda is another universal remedy, the use of which in everyday life is almost unlimited. Read about how it can be used profitably to solve certain household problems in our articles:

Lemon acid

Using citric acid, you can wash heavily soiled and grayed items.

Instructions for use:

  1. Thoroughly soap the curtain with laundry soap.
  2. Soak the soaped tulle with hot water.
  3. Add 2 tbsp to 5 liters of water. spoons of hydrogen peroxide if the curtain is covered with smoke.
  4. Leave the product for half an hour.
  5. Rinse with warm water and a sachet of citric acid.

Important! Citric acid is an excellent descaling agent for various household appliances. In this case, you can use it to .

How to bleach old nylon tulle at home?

It is quite difficult to return an old curtain to its original whiteness. In this case, an integrated approach is needed.

To revive burnt and grayed material, perform the following procedures:

  1. Thoroughly shake out any dust from the curtains.
  2. Wash the curtains in the washing machine.
  3. Boil the tulle in a strong soap solution for an hour.
  4. Soak with hydrogen peroxide solution.
  5. Rinse in saline solution.
  6. Secure the effect by rinsing in lukewarm water with the addition of 200 g of starch.

How to bleach tulle in a washing machine?

To effectively bleach tulle, use the following tips:

  1. Before washing curtains, be sure to shake them free of dust.
  2. Soak curtains that are too dirty with soapy water or hot water with salt (4 tablespoons of salt per 5 liters of water) overnight.
  3. Wash curtains on a delicate cycle and a water temperature of 30 degrees.
  4. For bleaching with a washing machine, regular washing powder and 2 drops of ammonia are suitable. An alternative to ammonia is 5-10 tablets of hydrogen peroxide.
  5. You can add non-chlorine bleach to your washing machine.
  6. Wash curtains by folding them several times until they are the size of a small rectangle. We recommend placing the folded curtain inside a special bag so that the fabric does not become deformed, and at the same time this will help facilitate the ironing process after washing.
  7. When rinsing, add 2-3 drops of brilliant green to cold water.
  8. Do not turn on the spin function in the washing machine.
  9. After finishing washing, wrap the curtains in a white sheet and wring them lightly without twisting them.
  10. Hang damp curtains on a curtain rod to dry.

To make curtain bleaching most effective, use the following recommendations:

  1. To prevent dust and dirt from being absorbed into the material during soaking, shake out the curtains.
  2. For soaking, washing and bleaching, use only warm water (no higher than 35 degrees). At high temperatures, yellowness eats into the fabric fibers and is almost impossible to remove.
  3. Remember that minor discoloration is much easier to remove than old discoloration. Apply whitening measures immediately at the first signs of color loss.
  4. Before bleaching tulle at home, be sure to wash it. When washing by hand, do not rub the fabric, just squeeze it lightly.
  5. To make the tulle acquire a beautiful shine and shimmer in the sun, add a little table vinegar to the washing water (1 dessert spoon per 1 liter of water).
  6. If the nylon or organza tulle is new and you are washing it for the first time, then add the required amount of liquid store-bought bleach to the water. Next time, you cannot use chemical bleaches for curtains, since after the second wash with the product, the fabric will not acquire a snow-white, but a yellow tint.
  7. After washing, do not twist the curtains by hand and do not use the “Spin” function in the machine. Wait for the water to drain from the tulle and hang the still damp curtains on the windows. Let the folds straighten out under the fabric's own weight.
  8. Do not iron the tulle. If ironing is still necessary, then use the minimum temperature, otherwise the synthetic fibers may acquire a yellowish tint that will be impossible to remove.

Safety precautions

Even at home, you should never forget about safety precautions. To protect your hands and curtain fabric from possible unpleasant surprises, follow these rules:

  • Carry out all whitening procedures with special gloves.
  • Strictly follow the drug instructions and dosage.
  • Do not experiment with mixing substances. For example, hydrogen peroxide cannot be mixed with brilliant green, as it contains alcohol and neutralizes the effect of brilliant green. Soda and brilliant green also neutralize each other, and household bleaches in combination with ammonia or soda can produce harmful fumes.
  • Avoid using chlorinated water in the bleaching process and never use hydrogen peroxide with chlorinated water.

Video material

As you can see, washing and bleaching tulle is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. By spending a minimum of time and effort, you will decorate the windows with snow-white, flowing tulle and create coziness throughout the whole house.

For the first time, decorating house windows with light, snow-white tulle curtains began in France. The fashion for such curtains quickly reached Russia. Light tulle curtains can now be found on the windows of most apartments in our country. Light, lace fabric makes the room cozy and gives it freshness. Unfortunately, over time, tulle may fade and acquire a yellowish or gray tint. You can return the original whiteness to the curtains in several simple ways.

Fast and effective ways to wash by hand

Machine washing is not always able to cope with tulle stains, so methods that have been proven over the years will come to the rescue. The choice of fabric wash will depend on the problem that needs to be dealt with. There are folk methods for combating any type of tulle pollution. They do not require much effort or time, and any housewife can find the components necessary for such washing at home. And then the tulle will become snow-white.

How to wash an old gray curtain until it's white?

Often the fabric from which the curtain is made becomes gray, losing its whiteness. This can happen from accumulated dust or settled tobacco smoke. You can restore the original whiteness of curtains using several proven methods.

Salt

Whitening with salt was known in the homeland of tulle curtains - in France. Regular coarse salt will help you get rid of the gray tone of the tulle and make it snow-white without much effort.

In order for bleaching to be as effective as possible, it is recommended to soften the fabric threads before washing. To do this, just immerse the curtain in cool water for thirty minutes. If possible, the fabric can be rinsed under the tap every ten to fifteen minutes.

After this procedure, the curtains must be lowered into a container of water in which washing powder and a couple of large spoons of salt are dissolved. The temperature of the liquid must be high enough.

The fabric should be left in water for a minimum of eight hours. The optimal soaking time is considered to be 10-12 hours. After this, the curtains are washed in running water. This step will rid the fabric of salt marks and foam residues.

Another option for adding freshness to curtains using salt will take even less time. It is enough to immerse the pre-washed fabric in a saline solution for several hours and immediately return it to the window. The curtains will become truly snow-white and crisp, which will give the whole room freshness.

Hydrogen peroxide

A combination of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia will help save cotton tulle, which has turned gray from household dust and time that has settled on it.

It is worth noting that this method is only suitable for caring for natural fabrics, and can irreversibly damage synthetic fabrics.

Prepare the mixture: pour one large spoon of ammonia and two of hydrogen peroxide into cool water. Immerse the tulle in a container for thirty minutes and then rinse under running water. To avoid chemical burns on the skin of your hands, use rubber gloves.

Lemon acid

A solution of citric acid will help remove dirt and rid the tulle of the gray tint that has appeared over time. This method will take very little time. The fabric must be washed with laundry soap, then rinsed and soaked for several hours in water with a dissolved sachet of citric acid.

Alternatively, you can use vinegar.

If after the first wash the curtains do not look snow-white, the procedure can be repeated two or three more times. Citric acid will help cope with even a strong gray tint or stubborn dust.

Soda

Perfect for getting rid of gray fabric baking soda. This method does not require any costs, is easy to do and takes little time. To prepare the mixture, you will need one tablespoon of powder and baking soda per three liters of water. The soaked curtains are left in the solution for an hour. After which the fabric must be rinsed.

Perfect for removing grease and dust that has accumulated on curtains over time. soda ash. It differs from food in its high alkali content.

This soda should be used with caution: the substance can cause skin burns or cause allergies.

In addition, for silk curtains, bleaching with soda ash is contraindicated: there is a high risk of damage to the threads.

How to get rid of yellowness?

The snow-white fabric from which the curtain is made may turn yellow over time. The color of tulle is influenced by a huge number of factors. Once white tulle can turn yellow from tobacco smoke, heating, or fade in the sun.

It is worth noting that only as a last resort should you resort to strong chlorine-based bleaches. This limitation is due to the structure of the material: tulle is woven from a huge number of thin threads that are easily destroyed under the influence of an aggressive environment.

Simple folk remedies can help restore curtains to their original appearance.

Blue

The blue liquid can return tulle curtains to a fresh look in a few minutes. To do this, after washing, just soak the fabric for ten minutes in water with two tablespoons of blue dissolved in it. For a stronger effect, it is recommended to turn the tulle over every two to three minutes.

Zelenka

To do this, hand-washed curtains are left in water with brilliant green dissolved in it. Ten drops per two to three liters of liquid is enough.

To enhance the effect, you can add ten tablespoons of regular salt into the container. Wait until all the ingredients have dissolved before immersing the fabric in water.

Starch

Ordinary potato starch can gently bleach sun-bleached tulle made from synthetic fabrics. It will not damage the threads, and the curtains will become snow-white and will hold their shape better. To do this, you need to dissolve 300 grams of potato starch in a large amount of water.

Before bleaching, curtains should be washed by hand, gently wrung out and immersed in the prepared mixture for a quarter of an hour. Afterwards, the fabric is rinsed again to remove excess starch and immediately hung.

This method will not only cope with yellowness, but also prevent its appearance in the future. The settling dust will not penetrate into the structure of the threads, so to give the curtains their original appearance, it will be enough to wash them.

White

The most common way to restore freshness to tulle is to rinse with white.

It is worth noting that this method can only be used once. Subsequent soaking of the fabric in it will not give the desired effect. In addition, this method negatively affects the curtains and leads to the destruction of the threads.

To get rid of stains on curtains using this bleach, just follow the recommendations on the package. And the specific odor that often remains on the fabric can be easily eliminated with the help of fabric softeners.

Aspirin

Aspirin tablets will help cope not only with the signs of ARVI, but will also return yellowed curtains to their original fresh look. True, only ordinary, non-effervescent tablets are suitable for this method. To whiten, you will need to dissolve a number of tablets in water equal to the number of liters of liquid. The curtains are left for three hours, after which they are washed.

This method is equally effective against yellowing and graying of curtains.

Potassium permangantsovka

Another inexpensive and quick method of bleaching curtains is using a solution of potassium permanganate. It is recommended to wash the curtains first, then immerse them in water with a glass of powder dissolved in it and a small amount of potassium permanganate. The color of the liquid should be deep pink.

Leave the fabric in the liquid for a couple of hours, squeeze it out carefully and hang it on the window. No additional washing required.

How to remove rust?

Rust stains can appear on tulle curtains for a variety of reasons. Most often they occur in places where fabric comes into contact with metal. For example, where the fastenings are located.

Such contaminants are alkaline, so they can be removed using various acids. The most common method for removing rust is citric acid or vinegar. It is recommended to apply a cotton pad soaked in these substances to the contaminated areas for an hour. Then just wash the curtains with powder.

However, if traditional methods do not help, you can resort to technical fluids. They are often sold in automotive departments. This substance is applied to the tissue with a syringe for several hours so that the active components begin to work. Specialized liquids can even deal with old rust stains.

How to bleach soot?

Soot stains are considered one of the most difficult stains to remove. They are difficult to wash from fabric, and in the case of tulle curtains, the process is complicated by the inability to use aggressive detergents and hot water. However, there are several ways to remove soot from curtains. First of all, the curtains must be washed in warm water using laundry soap. Then the contaminated areas are treated with dishwashing detergent or soda ash and left for half an hour.

As an alternative method for removing soot from curtains, you can use turpentine. It is applied pointwise to the stains, after which the tulle is washed using the usual method. You can also remove dirt with bleach.

Properly bleaching at home in an automatic washing machine

If it is not possible to bleach the curtains manually, you can resort to using an automatic washing machine.

To do this, you need to know a few subtleties so as not to damage the fabric:

  • The tulle removed from the cornice must be shaken off from accumulated dust. Before placing the fabric in the drum of the machine, it is recommended to fold it into a small rectangle. It is better to use soft powders suitable for children's clothes for washing.
  • The additive compartment can be filled with a delicate bleach, such as Vanish. It will not damage the fabric, but will do an excellent job of removing dirt. Instead of bleach, you can use baking soda and baking powder.
  • To avoid damaging the curtains during washing, select a delicate mode with a low temperature and set it to no more than four hundred revolutions per minute. To ensure that the curtains are not excessively wet, it is recommended to choose the double rinse method.
  • With this method of cleaning, the fabric will not be damaged or wrinkled much, which will make ironing easier or help you do without it.

Before choosing a method that will help return tulle curtains to their original snow-white color, it is worth finding out what material the curtains are made of. Washing methods that are suitable for some fabrics may severely damage others.

  • Nylon tulle. Nylon curtains require careful handling. Chlorine-based bleaches are not suitable for washing them. In addition, such curtains can only be soaked in cool water. Green paint, washing with blue or potassium permanganate will help to refresh nylon curtains. To keep the product in shape, it is recommended to add potato starch to the water.
  • Organza tulle. Organza is a fabric produced by weaving silk threads, viscose and polyester. This material is considered capricious, and careful care is required. Organza curtains do not tolerate high water temperatures and strong chemicals for washing. You can refresh such curtains by using ammonia in combination with hydrogen peroxide, and it is better to rinse them only in cold water.

  • Voile tulle. Voile curtains can add freshness to any room. But it is quite difficult to bleach such curtains at home. The veil is woven from thin threads that are easily damaged. Many housewives prefer to turn to specialists to refresh voile tulle. To wash such curtains at home, use laundry soap, hydrogen peroxide, or soak them in blue. In this case, it is better to choose a liquid temperature of no more than forty degrees.
  • Chiffon tulle. Chiffon fabric can be made from silk or cotton threads. Like other types of tulle, such curtains are not very durable. Machine washing is contraindicated for them. The best way to bleach chiffon curtains is to soak them in a saline solution. After this, the material can be washed carefully with soap.

  • Nylon tulle. Nylon curtains are now very popular due to their low price. This synthetic fabric can decorate a room no worse than organza curtains. It is worth considering that nylon cannot be washed in hot water. The recommended temperature for this fabric is thirty degrees. You can bleach nylon curtains using saline solution, starch or blue. And after washing they will have to be ironed: these fabrics will not take shape on their own on the curtain rod. It is recommended to iron synthetic curtains through gauze or cotton cloth, this significantly reduces the likelihood of damage.
  • Cotton tulle. Cotton curtains are the least demanding to care for. They can be washed in hot water and even boiled. Any method listed above is suitable for bleaching such curtains. It is recommended to add a little potato starch to the water when soaking and rinsing. This way, the curtains will be crisp, fresh and hold their shape perfectly.

And a few more tips:

  • Regardless of which washing method you choose, it is recommended to shake your curtains. This will get rid of household dust accumulated in the fabric.
  • Before you start washing, any tulle curtains must be soaked in cool water. The threads from which the fabric is woven will soften, and dirt will be much easier to remove.
  • Both when washing by hand and in a machine, the water temperature for washing tulle should not exceed thirty degrees. The only exception is curtains made of cotton; they can be washed in water of any temperature.
  • If you decide to wash the tulle in an automatic washing machine, then you need to select the minimum speed so as not to damage or tear the fabric. A special bag in which you can pack curtains will protect you from these troubles.
  • Before soaking and washing, it is recommended to carefully fold the fabric, avoiding creases. The curtains will take the desired shape faster on the cornice.

  • To make the curtains shine beautifully in the sun, you can add a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinsing water. A small amount of liquid will not affect the smell of the curtains.
  • When squeezing the tulle, avoid twisting. The creases that appear will be difficult to smooth out, and the threads will not return to their original state for a long time.
  • It is recommended to iron only cotton curtains. The remaining fabrics straighten perfectly and take shape under their own weight right on the cornice.
  • Carry out all manipulations with special gloves. This will protect your hands from possible chemical burns. If you use bleach, follow the instructions on the package and do not exceed the dosage of the substance.
  • You should not use several whitening methods at once. Many of the substances neutralize each other’s actions, and some are capable of producing vapors harmful to the body in combination.
  • For hand washing tulle curtains, it is better to use special non-chlorinated water.

One of the main tips for caring for tulle curtains is the timely removal of dirt. Many stains are easily removed in the first hours, but then become difficult to get rid of. In addition, regular washing of curtains will allow them to retain their original snow-white shade and correct flowing shape for much longer. It is enough to wash the tulle once every four to six months.

To learn how to properly wash tulle at home, watch the following video.

Airy curtains made of white transparent tulle have remained a classic window design for many years. Regardless of the material used, window curtains lose their whiteness over time under the influence of the sun, dust, rust and salts in washing water. Buying new high-quality curtains is not cheap, nor is washing them dry-cleaned.

There is no need to be upset; there are many inexpensive home remedies that will help you cope with the task without spending much money and time. Experienced housewives are happy to share their secrets on how to bleach gray tulle at home.

Chemical bleaches

The first word is about whitening products, which can be purchased without problems in any department of household chemicals. This method can be used no more than once, and it is not advisable. The fact is that such preparations destroy the delicate structure of tulle, especially those made from natural fibers, and soon lead to severe yellowing, which is very difficult to remove.

Any washing powder or liquid laundry detergent is diluted in warm water, and three to five tablespoons of ordinary kitchen salt are added to the solution. The tulle is soaked for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight. If you wish, you can also wash the curtain in the machine as usual, or rinse it immediately after soaking. To consolidate the result, you can also add salt to the water for rinsing the powder.

The only drawback of this method is the long soaking time.

Pre-washed tulle is blued in this way. The procedure can be carried out either manually or in an automatic machine.

When manually rinsing after washing, the curtain is dipped in the prepared blue solution. Proportion: half a teaspoon of product per bucket of water. Second rinse - no bluing. The curtain is immediately shaken and hung.

When washing in an automatic machine, a small amount of blue is added to the conditioner compartment.

The disadvantage of this method is that blue particles that are not thoroughly mixed can form streaks or stains. For this reason, hand rinsing is more reliable.

To prepare the solution, leave 5-10 drops of brilliant green in a glass of water, then carefully filter through cheesecloth and mix with 10 liters of warm water. Clean tulle is soaked in the prepared liquid for 5 minutes, constantly turning the fabric over.

Disadvantage: an incorrectly prepared solution with sediment can spoil the fabric with green spots.

Peroxide and ammonia

This method works very well, but only for tulle made from natural fabrics. Proportions of the mixture for bleaching: 1 tablespoon of ammonia, 2-3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide per bucket of hot (50 - 60o) water. A clean curtain is soaked in a basin for 30 minutes, after which it is thoroughly rinsed and lightly wrung out.

Starching not only makes delicate curtains whiter, but also adds shine and lasting shape to them.

For starching, brew the paste like jelly, using 1 tablespoon of starch for every liter of water.

You need to make sure that there are no lumps in the resulting solution. After washing, the tulle is soaked in starch water for 5-6 hours and dried without spinning.

Potassium permanganate and laundry soap

These products, when combined, produce unexpectedly brilliant and long-lasting results. Tulle curtains are washed in a soap solution with the addition of potassium permanganate, after soaking for half an hour.

To make the solution, grate the soap and pour boiling water over it. Stir several manganese crystals in a separate bowl and pour into the soap in such an amount that the water turns slightly pink.

Disadvantage: for some reason, potassium permanganate has disappeared from pharmacies.

Lemon acid

A packet of citric acid is added to the rinse as a preventive measure when washing relatively new curtains. Can be used in the washing machine. Attention! Citric acid in the washing machine washes away all deposits of rust and mineral deposits, so before washing the tulle it is better to clean the machine first.