Dinginess can be caused by lots of things: hard water deposits, being washed with a darker item, using too much chlorine bleach (it can cause yellowing), or by minerals in your water.
Whatever the cause, dingy white towels are a bummer and take the joy out of using them. So here are some natural ways to lighten the whites and brighten them up again.
Tip #1
Add a cup of vinegar to the wash water. If your area has hard water, vinegar helps soften the water itself, plus it removes the residue from detergents. It also helps to remove bad smells. (Added bonus!)
Tip #2
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to each load to help your detergent be more effective. Baking soda binds with the minerals in the water, so they don't stick to the fibers in your towels.
Tip #3
Lemon juice, salt and sun. In a bucket combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup salt and 1/2 gallon of water. Soak the towels in the salt and lemon juice solution for a few hours. Wring out the towels (don't rinse) and lay or hang them in the sun for a few hours. Run them through the washer and dryer like normal and they should lighten considerably.
