Lululemon is a popular brand for athletic wear, but their garments can be tricky to care for. The brand recommends treating their clothing with tough love, but how far does that extend? Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent, but it can also be damaging. So, can you bleach a Lululemon tank top? The short answer is no. While some people have successfully bleached their Lululemon items, it is not recommended as bleach can weaken the fabric's fibres, leading to damage and wear. Instead, opt for non-chlorine bleach alternatives or stain removers designed for activewear.
What You'll Learn
Using bleach on Lululemon clothing
Using bleach, especially chlorine bleach, can weaken the fabric's fibres over time, leading to damage and wear. It can also alter the fabric's integrity, affecting its stretch and moisture-wicking properties. Instead of using bleach, it is recommended to opt for gentle, non-chlorine bleach alternatives or stain removers designated safe for activewear.
For example, a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pretreatment before washing to help keep your Lululemon whites bright without the harsh effects of bleach. Always wash your Lululemon pieces with like colours and in cold water to prevent fabric damage and colour bleeding. Following these care tips can help maintain the look and functionality of your activewear for longer.
If you do accidentally splash bleach on your Lululemon clothing, it is important to act fast. The quicker you address the bleach stain, the better your chances of minimising its impact. Rinse the affected area with cold water to remove as much bleach as possible, then soak the garment in a solution of water and a colour-safe, non-bleach detergent for 30 minutes before washing it as usual. This method can help lift the bleach from the fabric, but results may vary depending on the fabric's colour and the amount of bleach involved.
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Oxygen bleach vs chlorine bleach
While chlorine bleach has been a common household staple for the last century, it contains harsh chemicals and is not colour-safe. Oxygen bleach, on the other hand, is a colour-safe alternative that is made from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. It is a lot less corrosive, avoiding damage to fibres, and is also better for the environment.
Oxygen bleach is generally safe to use on colours, making it a good option for coloured Lululemon tank tops. However, it is always recommended to test a small area first. Oxygen bleach can also be used to brighten whites, although it is not as effective as chlorine bleach. If you are looking to brighten a white Lululemon tank top, oxygen bleach may be a good option, but it may not produce the same level of brightness as chlorine bleach.
Both types of bleach are effective at stain removal, but chlorine bleach acts much faster. Oxygen bleach can be used on a variety of fabrics without changing their colour, while chlorine bleach should only be used on white fabrics. If you are looking to remove stains from a Lululemon tank top, oxygen bleach may be a good choice, depending on the colour of the fabric and the severity of the stains.
Oxygen bleach is also a good option for boosting laundry detergent, as it can provide additional stain removal and deodorizing power. It is important to note that chlorine bleach can only be used in bleach-safe machines and laundry loads.
In conclusion, while chlorine bleach may be more powerful in terms of whitening and stain removal, oxygen bleach is a gentler, eco-friendly alternative that is safe to use on coloured fabrics. When deciding whether to use oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach on a Lululemon tank top, it is important to consider the colour of the fabric, the severity of any stains, and the desired level of brightness.
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Removing bleach stains from Lululemon
Bleach can ruin your Lululemon clothes, turning them yellow and deteriorating their elasticity, so it's best avoided. However, if you have bleach stains on your Lululemon gear, there are a few things you can try to remove them.
First, check the care and content label for specific information on how to care for your garment. If you have a bleach stain on a coloured item, try using a baby wipe, which can remove deodorant stains and other light stains. For plain old dirt, try hand soap and water, or rubbing alcohol for non-washable items. Soak a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the stain.
Hairspray can be used to remove ink stains, and club soda can be effective for food stains. For tough stains, or to ensure that a stain comes out the first time you wash the garment, try using OxyClean. Soak the item overnight in cool water with OxiClean powder. You can also try soaking it in water with white vinegar, which can help brighten colours and deodorize clothes.
If none of these methods work, you can try taking your Lululemon item to the dry cleaners.
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Keeping Lululemon whites bright without bleach
Lululemon crafts its apparel with high-quality, technical materials intended for specific athletic purposes, which can react poorly to bleach. Using bleach, especially chlorine bleach, can weaken the fabric's fibres over time, leading to damage and wear. It may also alter the fabric's integrity, affecting its stretch and moisture-wicking properties.
So, how do you keep your Lululemon whites bright without bleach? Here are some tips:
- Use a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide as a pretreatment before washing. This combination effectively removes stains and dinginess without the harsh effects of bleach.
- Always wash Lululemon pieces with like colours and in cold water to prevent fabric damage and colour bleeding.
- Wash bright colours separately before you wear them and continue to wash them with similar colours.
- Keep bright-coloured items away from other fabrics when wet.
- Turn your gear inside out and wash it with other synthetic fabrics (e.g. Luxtreme, Nulu) and avoid anything abrasive, such as denim or garments with Velcro or zippers.
- Avoid mixing Luon with cotton. Wash your Luon separately from hoodies and towels to prevent cotton fluff from attaching to the fabric.
- Avoid using fabric softener as it coats the technical fabric and inhibits its wicking capabilities.
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Washing instructions for Lululemon clothing
Washing Lululemon clothing requires some care to ensure the items are not damaged and their lifespan is extended. Firstly, it is important to always check the care and content label for specific information on how to care for your item.
Lululemon clothing should be washed in cold water and laid flat to dry. This helps protect the life of the Lycra fibre and the shape of the clothing. Bright colours should be washed alone before wearing and then continue to be washed with similar colours. When wet, keep bright-coloured items away from other fabrics.
Turn your clothing inside out and wash with other synthetic fabrics, such as Luxtreme and Nulu, and avoid anything abrasive such as denim, garments with Velcro or zippers. Wash sweat-wicking gear without fabric softener as it coats the technical fabric and inhibits its wicking capabilities.
For outerwear, close all zippers and Velcro closures, and tumble dry on low. Use the least amount of detergent possible to clean it effectively—leftover detergent may inhibit water-repellency.
For bras and sports bras, removing the cups and hand-washing them in cool or warm water will help retain their shape. Then, lay the cups out flat to dry. Before washing your bra, place it in a mesh or delicates bag to protect the fabric and extend its life.
Some people choose to wash their Lululemon items with the rest of their laundry, with varying results. While some people have had no issues, others have experienced pilling and shrinkage. It is recommended to wash Lululemon clothing separately, in cold water, and to avoid the use of fabric softener and dryer sheets as these can trap odour-causing bacteria.
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