When it comes to achieving those crisp, white linens you see in nice hotels, many people opt for bleach to try and mimic the look. But did you know that there’s a more effective way to whiten your sheets? The best part is, you don’t have to expose yourself to toxic ingredients to do it. That way is lemon juice—it not only whitens bed sheets but it’s also a lot more eco-friendly (and not to mention, affordable) than chemical bleach.

Why lemon juice?

Lemon juice is a natural whitening agent. In fact, it’s used in a number of skincare products designed to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. But beyond treating certain skin conditions, lemon juice is perfect for brightening up many other things, too.

It contains natural bleaching properties.

The high acidity in lemon juice is what gives it its natural bleaching abilities. Plus, unlike regular bleach, lemon juice is natural and therefore a lot easier on fabrics. With lemon juice, you don’t have to worry about ruining your favorite clothing item. If anything, it’ll help preserve the quality of your clothes and help them last a lot longer.

Lemons are everywhere.

Another perk to using lemon juice is that it’s readily available. You can buy lemons at pretty much any grocery store. Or if you have a lemon tree, you can source them for free.

It’s eco-friendly.

Because lemons are a natural ingredient, using them to whiten your sheets is better for the environment than using a chemical-laden product from the store. Plus, it’s biodegradable and won’t contribute to water pollution like chlorine bleach can.

How To Use Lemon Juice To Instantly Whiten Dull Sheets

Opting for lemon juice to brighten your fabrics is the quickest way to get those crisp, white bed sheets you want without exposure to toxic chemicals. And fortunately, Daniel Ufland, founder of the online interior styling platform Flitch, offered us a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Step 1: Pre-treat stains.

The key to whitening bed sheets is in the prep. Before you begin washing your linens, check to make sure they don’t have any stains. If you find any, put lemon juice on it, then let it sit for 10-15 minutes to let the citric acid work its magic.

Pro Tip: If a large chunk of bed sheet is stained, don’t put lemon juice on it just yet. First, test it out on a small, unnoticeable spot to make sure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage.

Step 2: Prepare the laundry.

After you’ve pre-treated your fabric, place your bed sheets in the washing machine. Continue washing your laundry like you usually do, making sure to add your regular laundry detergent to the mix, too.

Step 3: Add lemon juice.

At the part where you would normally add bleach or fabric softener, pour between half a cup to one full cup of lemon juice into the washing machine — or the bleach dispenser, if you have one. This is where the acidity from the lemon works to brighten up your linens.

Pro Tip: If you have freshly squeezed lemon juice, use that. Many store-bought, bottled lemon juice products contain extra ingredients that could skew the results.

Step 4: Wash and dry.

Using a normal cycle, continue running the washing machine like usual. Then, after the cycle is done, move your bed sheets over to the dryer to begin drying them.

Step 5: Enjoy!

When your bed sheets are fully dried, they should be a lot whiter. And in order to keep them that way, be sure to use a detergent designed for whites, add lemon juice to each wash, and avoid fabric softeners to prevent residue from building up.