Sue asked: How do I get a white, nylon jacket white again? I have a white nylon jacket that looks yellowed. I would like to try to get it white again.
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Nylon will turn yellow over time even when given the best of care. There are several methods to remove the yellowing. In some cases, nature can work better than almost any cleaning product. Here’s a time-honored solution that has worked for generations along with a proven cleaning mixture. Both will remove the yellowing without damaging the nylon fabric.
Using Lemon and Sunshine
You Will Need:
- Lemon juice
- Spray bottle
- Bright sunshine
Steps to Remove the Yellowing:
- Pour the lemon juice in the spray bottle. Do not dilute.
- Spray the yellow spots thoroughly with lemon juice. Soak them if you can.
- Hang the jacket outside in bright sunshine. The acid from the lemon juice will work with the sun to create a safe, natural bleaching agent.
- Direct sunlight works best. During winter time when the sun doesn’t get as high in the sky, you may need to experiment during peak afternoon hours for the most sun possible.
- Depending on the thickness of your fabric, the jacket will whiten from within 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
- As soon as the stain is gone, get the jacket out of the sun. You don’t want to weaken the fabric by leaving it out there too long.
- If you see progress but the stains do not disappear, repeat the process. If there’s no progress, see the “additional tips and advice” section for another idea.
Using Bleach to Whiten
You Will Need:
- Hot water
- Bleach
- Vinegar (optional)
- Dishwasher detergent
- Bucket (plastic)
- Washing machine
Steps to Remove the Yellowing:
- Fill a non-metal bucket with one gallon of hot water, ¼ cup bleach, 1 teaspoon of vinegar (optional) and ½ cup of dishwasher detergent.
- Mix the ingredients together.
- Place the yellowed nylon piece into the solution and allow it to soak for 30 minutes.
- Remove the garment and dispose of the liquid.
- Wash the garment as usual in the washing machine.
Additional Tips and Advice
- The lemon juice method works great with jackets or other items that aren’t machine washable.
- If preferred, you can simply wash the jacket with Oxyclean. In most cases, this will remove the stain.
- Rit makes a whitening product that can be used to remove discolorations from clothing. Follow the directions on the package. Rit products can be found in the laundry aisle with the clothing dyes.
Having an extensive wardrobe, I found numerous items “yellow” or stain from non wearing of all fabrics. I live in Florida and have found that by simply storing “whites” in zip lock bags with the air squeezed out as much as possible has stopped the discoloration.
If I did not take the time to do this I have found that taking a spray bottle and filling it with hydrogen peroxide (from the drug store) and spraying the discoloration makes it disappear almost immediately. I then launder as usual and it is good as new (I have had excellent results especially on my undergarments – really old stains/discoloration), that nothing else even attempted to remove the discoloration.
I have not found the peroxide to discolor any neutral colors. I used it on a coldwater creek jacket, winter white and very expensive. Took the stain right out and it’s good as new. My theory, can’t wear it like it is, “what do you have to lose?”
What about white nylon fabric on boots that have a suede shoe?
I have a 38 year old baby dress, made of 100 % nylon. It was made in Europe. It has yellowed all over. How can I whiten this without damaging it? It was my daughter’s, now she would like it for her daughter, too. Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me. Maggie