The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Whitening Your Whites

1. How to Tackle Grease Stains

If you've got perspiration or other oil stains, pretreat them with liquid detergent, dishwashing liquid, or even clear shampoo. Don't rub in the liquid with your fingers if you can avoid it — instead, opt for a toothbrush.

2. How to Tackle Colored Stains

For anything that has left a color — whether it's a dribble of coffee, a splash of red wine, or a dollop of pasta sauce, and even those yellow deodorant stains — apply an undiluted oxygen-based bleach like OxiClean.

White-Hot Tip: If you've got time, soak the pretreated garment in hot water to loosen up the stain before throwing it in the wash.