I know when I was cloth diapering, a little sun shine helped to whiten up things. So hang outside if possible. I have also heard about the lemon juice helping.
If you are looking for a laundry soap that rinses clean, try Charlie's soap. It rinses clean. Plus for those with irritating skin, it has no dyes or perfumes in it. They even advertise, if you want to smell flowers, go pick some.
Oh and I know that vinegar helps break down the soap. And it won't smell afterwards.
They make commercial laundry detergents with brighteners in them. I think they work by reflecting light off the fabric.
--- In SimplfyMeWithTipsAndHints@yahoogroups.com, "Jean C. Turley-Sinclair" <jcts@...> wrote:
>
> Vinegar will get the soap residue out and the clothes do not smell like
> vinegar when the clothes are dry.
> JeanAt 08:31 AM 8/21/2011, you wrote:
> >
> >
> >I have been using my own laundry detergent for a couple of years now. I
> >love it but last night my husband was complaining that it doesn't get his
> >underwear white. He thought all the whites look dingy. I suppose that's
> >true. I guess it just doesn't bother me. I'm wondering if anyone has
> >ideas on how to whiten things like underwear and socks. I have suggested
> >that he put vinegar in the rinse cycle by he refuses to do that. He says
> >the clothes will smell like vinegar. I don't know what else to do. Since
> >the laundry is in the basement, he is the one who puts them in the
> >washer. Any ideas? I did buy some bleach for my son's socks, but I can't
> >use bleach at all in my clothes. I react very badly to it.
> >
> >Kathi
> >Visit my blog at http://kathishippiehaven.blogspot.com/
> >Shop Etsy Buy Homemade http://hippiefairylover.etsy.com
> >But there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over
> >your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for
> >luck, and fall in love whenever you can.
> >
>
