Why white clothes turn yellow in storage, and what to do

The usual causes

Often more than one is at work, which is why a white dupatta can come out of a trunk with yellow fold lines and patches.

• Stored after wearing: traces of skin oils and perspiration you cannot see darken as they age. Underarms, necklines and cuffs show it first.
• Residues from washing: detergent, softener and starch left in the fibres yellow over time, especially if the piece was put away after a quick rinse.
• Plastic: dry cleaning bags and some plastic boxes trap moisture against the fabric, and some plastics can discolour what touches them.
• Cardboard, paper and wood: ordinary cardboard boxes, brown paper and unsealed wooden drawers are acidic and can leave yellow lines where they touch.
• Light and warmth: sunlight through a window, or a hot loft, speeds up all of the above.

Treating yellowed whites

Check the care label and test on a hidden area first. For white cotton and lawn, soak the piece in warm water with an oxygen-based whitener, following the pack directions on dose and time, then wash as the label allows with a detergent for whites. Severe yellowing may need two or three rounds. Dry it in daylight in an airy place, which helps further.

Fold lines that have yellowed along a crease are often the stubbornest, because dust and residues gather in the fold. Treat those lines with a little liquid detergent before soaking.

Silk, fine chiffon and anything embroidered are better taken to a professional cleaner. Chlorine bleach can make yellowing worse on some fabrics and damages silk and wool, so avoid it on stored pieces unless the label clearly allows it.

Storing whites so they stay white

Our article on storing dupattas and embroidered suits covers folds, moths and damp. For whites specifically, add these steps.

• Wash before storing, even if the piece looks clean, and give it an extra rinse with no softener or starch.
• Make sure it is completely dry before it goes away.
• Wrap it in a clean white cotton cloth, such as an old pillowcase, or in acid-free tissue. Line wooden drawers and shelves with cotton.
• Use breathable cotton bags rather than plastic, and remove dry cleaning bags as soon as you get home.
• Keep it somewhere dark, cool and dry, and refold it every few months so the same lines are not stressed.

White pieces you rarely wear

Many white outfits are worn only for an occasion, then stored for months. If you plan one through custom stitching, it helps to think about storage when you choose the fabric. Our occasions guide has ideas, and you can ask for a quote when you are ready.