Hi Meris, first..what is your water hardness and what water temp do you use?

I'm sure the folks here can help you.

Also that yellow in the sheets is most likely body oils that have built up and turned waxy.

Thank you Mama Pinky.

I was whites in hot water. I have well water. Its not soft, but its not hard either. Its a little acidic, just slightly.

I figured that's what the discoloration is, egads, I can't wait for a real clean sheet night, I can't tell you how much this is bugging me now!

My interest in laundry started because our white sheets, which were laundered weekly in apartment house top loaders for several years, didn't smell fresh. The linen closet didn't smell good at all. I washed and washed and couldn't get the smell out. It's why I started buying premium laundry detergents -- hoping one would deodorize. We had just renovated our apartment and I had a new Bosch front loader. I started washing in that machine and still couldn't get the odor out.

Then we moved permanently into our weekend house where I had an Asko front loader. That one, like Miele and Electrolux, has very high temperature settings -- up to 205F, nearly boiling. Those machine also have what's called a "profile" wash, a cold prewash followed by the main hot wash that can be set between 140F and 205F. Some of my sheets were older and had some yellowing. It took 2 cycles on a very hot setting (158F) to get the odor and yellowing out. I used about a tablespoon of Oxi Clean in the prewash and Persil Perls in the main wash.

As a result, I became a devout front loader person. I need a machine with a heater and I like the high speed spin because clothes spend less time in the dryer. Others prefer a top loader for the bigger capacity and flexibility.

Mamapinky's one of our resident experts here so she can guide you on top loader technique.

Whatever, you will get the stains out, for sure.

What you need is a very hot (sanitary) wash with good detergent and oxygen bleach. They will come out sparkling white again. The only problem is that you will not get that in your top loader unless you add oodles of boiling water to it...

What you really need to do is have the water quality analyzed. That yellowing may be an iron problem or some other mineral problem with the water. Whatever you do don't use chlorine bleach until the water quality is evaluated. Bleach and water high in iron don't react well. If all checks out OK, then follow the suggestions given.

IMHO the "earth friendly" detergents just don't do a good job. After using the simple Charlies Soap on hubby's whites, they got grey and dingy. CS is a good detergent, but needs help with whitening.

...Whiter whites through chemistry...

Thank you all for your help.

Now that I'm hooked up to our septic, versus having the water draining to some unknown part of my yard, I'm willing to try anything.

The water is great here. We did get it tested for everything. Its a little high in copper, nothing else, and that only because of the slight acidity of the water and old copper pipes. When they move it, the washer may not have that problem, since it is hooked up using PEX.

So should I try Oxy clean with Persil? can you get Persil easily? Is there another good off the shelf detergent I could buy in the meantime if it isn't?

Thank you!

Before I had a washer that would do a boil wash I occassionally put items in a huge stock pot on the stove and basically boiled. Very effective for older cotton items. May damage elastic on a fitted sheet.

HOT water at least 130F, a high quality detergent, and some OxiClean. I would opt for a Tide with bleach product over U.S. Persil. Since your water is gone, the problem is either your technique, washer, water temp, or chemistry (detergent). The hotter you can get that wash water, the better!

Well, I found Persil and the oxiclean. I'm going for it. Washing my mattress cover first. Will let you know how it goes. Good news is, washer is 3ft from water heater, so water is steaming hot!

Meris, I absolutly agree with Sin..but I would have done a warm prewash first...main wash at least 130f..Tide with Bleach powder IMO is up for this job ..you may need to repeat this. I wouldn't dry them in the dryer yet. if you use the powder tide with bleach or the Persil pearls don't use Chlorine bleach...

Have you already washed them?

Yes I have. I couldn't wait! I've been dying to have cleaner sheets and clothes.

We are also in the middle of a remodel/addition, so I won't be able to get to the washer dryer during the day. So I ran down there, soaked them for about an hour. Ran it. And washed them a second time.

They are in the dryer now, I only have one set of sheets. I know! But I only have one set of sheets right now, waiting for all the moving about with the addition to get more. Space is very tight right now.

Should I get that Tide and try that? Maybe over the weekend so I can soak it longer? The water is super hot, so I do have that going for me.....oh and you guys!!!! :-) I def have that going for me!!

Another thing..research STPP I think it will make a world of difference in your laundry. And of course if your interested in it..we can all explain it to you..your laundry will never be the same now that you've found Garden Webs

Meris...did you use Chlorine Bleach? Also..how did they come out?

ok, I'm in my freshly made bed now. :Happy sigh:

They are definitely much improved! There is definitely still that dingy yellow, but much faded. I will check in the light tomorrow and give a better report.

Thank you so much for your help. Off to the cleanest sheet night I've had in awhile...

And looking very forward to getting my sheets back to all white!

Oh, no chlorine bleach, just the oxiclean white one.

Rewash in Tide with or without oxygen bleach. You really may need some chlorine bleach to remove those stains and HOT water. You can also try Wisk which is particularly good at removing sweat and body oil stains.

In my little opinion, I would be resorting to chlorine bleach to rescue these items. I agree with the posts above, but I have a feeling you will have to wash and wash and wash to remove all that buildup. If you dry them in the dryer, you are "re-setting" the soil each time. I realize you only have one set of sheets, and you are doing your best, however. I would try soaking them in HOT water with double amounts of detergent for at least an hour, then wash for the maximum time allowed. If you have any Original blue Dawn, put a hefty squirt in there too. Before the rinse, set for wash again, add the recommended amount of Clorox, followed by the rest of the cycle (bleach will work best on it's own, after the majority of the soiling is washed away). If you smell bleach after the last rinse, rinse again. I am under the assumption that this is deeply embedded soil...body soil. Think of it as a huge grease stain. It is a hard stain to shift, but it can be done. Good luck!

Hmmm...ok just a little about Chlorine Bleach. .if you use it add it the last5 minutes of the wash cycle, all of its cleaning and whitening properties take place within 5-6 minutes, any longer and its just damaging the fabric..also be sure you do enough rinses, if you can smell it ..its still there and will continue eating away at fabric..

Personally I would give a whirl of a wash and long soak with powdered Tide with Bleach. ..remember chlorine may bleach the yellow waxy stain, and make it appear its removed but that doesn't mean the built up body oils are gone, and ultimately the goal is to remove the waxy build up, not just bleach it out so its not noticable.

Thanks for your 2 cents, Mama. However, my post was directed at the original poster, and I feel that your post is out of line. You tend to over-ride everyone else's opinions, and take over the majority of the forums here. This is an open forum and all opinions are welcome, rather it is agreeable or not. I have a vast knowledge of laundry, stains, and appliances. I am well aware of the information that I am posting, and my post was detailed enough to be clear. It appears to me that you are just taking all of the info you are learning in this forum and AW.org, and then re-posting it as your own knowledge. I have been in this forum for well over 5 years, and I have noticed lately that most of the older members that used to post have stopped, and only a select handful of people still post. Not one person has all info, all the time. Let other people make comments and suggestions without having to answer to someone else's opinion. To the original poster, sorry for my rant.

I'm really sorry you feel this way...but everyone is intitled to an opinion..I gave some good advice that all..I sure didn't see it as over riding anyone else....

I have got my little knowelage fro GW, AW

various info on the web, books, Tv, magazines, and learning from my own experiences and others,

isn't that how we all learn? I never knew people were born knowing all this. And I sure didn't know I should not pass what I learn on to others.

By the way my post was also directed at the original poster, I was respectful in giving my advice..I don't believe I'm the one that was out of line here.

Also are you suggesting that the older posters left because of me?

As far as you telling me to *Let other people make comments and suggestions*. Is this grade school than where we should raise our hands ans await our turn...is there not enough space for everyone opinion..

Joel H, a word of caution, mixing Dawn with chlorine bleach is a no no. The dawn has ammonia and does not play well with LCB, dangerous gases will be released.

Joel..I reread my post, I can't see where it was anything other than my opinion and some good advice, so I don't see where I was out of line..and I was respectful. As I am always respectful. Who attacked who on here. Run along now and find your fun another way..I'm not biting and I'm not Leaving.

I have noticed that a few people have not posted since GW became Houzz, I do not believe that Mamap has anything to do with it.

Thank You Bea..I hope your correct. I try to be respectful.

As the OP, I have appreciated everyone's input into my sheet problem. I have felt fully supported by all of you, so Thank You!

I know the dryer resets stains, but I had to go to bed! I plan on attacking the sheets again when I have a full day to do it. with lots of soaking time and rewashing and rinsing!

In another update, my husband noticed how much whiter the sheets look. Yay!

@meris - one more strategy. When you get a second set of sheets -- Larsi had a great recommendation of a brand from Target that others have liked -- put the stained sheets in a big tub of cold water with plenty of oxiclean and let them soak overnight. Then try the hot wash again with extra hot water added to it as Mamapinky has suggested.

Difficult to do in a top loader -- I know because I couldn't get it done in the Bosch. It needed the very hot, long wash. And it didn't all come out at one time. It took me repeated washings. (I know need to tackle pillow covers which are starting to smell I noticed the other day).

If the sheets are 100% cotton there is a good change the stains will come out eventually. If there is a poly mix, it may just go so far.

As for chlorine bleach, it has its fans here and many use it skillfully and well. But it is absolutely terrible for cotton sheeting and will reduce the life of sheets. It will disinfect -- no question. If I was tempted to try it I would wait until I got a second set, just as a back up.

SAMs Club has excellent sheet sets. Very nice quality, last forever. Drawback is only comes in 8 inch depth. Flat, bottom, and two pillow cases 29.97. 500 thread count full standard/queen.

Sin, I can see just a peek of the sheet pattern, at lest I think that's what I see. Are they white with a grey print? I like them. Looks almost like the print I just picked up for the boys..I'll check them out next time I'm at Sams, problem I have is finding nice sheets in twin size. Thank you Sin.

That's just the packaging there's no sheets in that package. They're all white, and being washed as we speak.

I bought these pillows, well... over a year ago, from Sam's Club. Originally.. they were for a guest bedroom, but I tried sleeping on them one night and fell in love. I can't say... I've ever slept on anything more comfortable in my life.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/2pk-cluster-pillow-26-x-20/prod13550433.ip

I can't say I've purchased any other bedding or linens there. But I've heard good things about the Bath Towels. :)

I buy the white bath towels and bar mobs there also. Towels are perfect everyday drivers.

mamapinky, don't ever stop giving advise. Most people on this Forum have the brains to decide which advise they want to take or which they just want to read. Some need to find better ways to vent -- I wouldn't waste my time responding to them. Your contribution to this Forum has been outstanding.

Thank you Pat...your words are very kind. You are one of the good ones on this site, and I've been very happy to have got to share and laugh with you.

I thought the idea of a forum was to get different points of view? Just because one person uses something doesn't mean everyone else is wrong? Sarcasm is not cool.

@pink- I personally enjoy your advise and techniques. But sometimes even the best advise and practices won't prevent an article or two from ending up as rewash. There's a certain percentage of stained linen that becomes not salvageable regardless. My best advise is to launder bedding and sheets more frequently. Most especially if a perspiration problem exists. My sheets are changed weekly, but that's me. I suppose others will do what they think is best. :)

my sheets are washed and changed weekly as well. It wasn't a perspiration problem, it was a problem of a not so great washer, and the need to use biofriendly detergent, as originally stated.

Anyway, today I happily soaked my white bar cloths today (washer was free of workers) &soaked them in the Persil & oxiwhite. Almost EVERYTHING came out of them! Hooray. They were looking not so good despite regular washings.

Thank you for all your help!

I'm not sure I can go back to "green" laundry products after this. And I am a believer of such things.

my sheets are a beautiful thick crisp all cotton. I love them. I know I can get the rest out, its minimal compared to what it was. I should've taken a before/after shot, but it was too embarrassing!

Yay @Meris! Way to go.