How to Whiten Chiffon

Curtain in breeze

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Made from nylon, silk or polyester, chiffon is an elegant fabric for evening wear or wedding gowns. When this delicate fabric is not stored correctly or is a vintage piece, you may notice yellowing. Many chiffon garments must be professionally cleaned. Clean washable garments with extra care.

Read the fabric care label. If dry cleaning is suggested, take the garment to a professional dry cleaner. Point out the areas that need to be whitened or cleaned.

For washable garments, fill a sink, plastic tub or a clean bath tub half full of cool water and a cap full of oxygen-based bleach. This kind of bleach is gentler than liquid chlorine bleach. Perform a test on a small section of the garment to make sure the bleaching treatment will not damage the fabric.

Submerge the garment in the water and soak it for an hour. For brighter whites, you may have to soak the garment several times.

Squeeze the water from the fabric by twisting the fabric slightly, but do not squeeze tightly or crush the chiffon.

Spread the garment on a towel and roll it up in the towel to absorb the liquid. Replace the towel as needed.

Hang the garment or lay it flat to dry.