Q&A
2019.08.06 update

How to wash white t-shirts and white caps? | The Laundry Brothers teach you how to wash summer items at home.

  1. We'll explain our new product that's gentle on clothing, as it's free of fluorescent whitening agents and bleach.
    1. Learn how to wash white clothes effectively.
  2. A laundry method using "White Detergent Powder" to achieve the original whiteness of clothing.
    1. White cotton shirt
    2. White cotton T-shirt
    3. Knit striped cut and sew
    4. White cotton cap
  3. How to wash colored and patterned clothing and linen fabrics using "Silk & Wool Detergent"
    1. Brown nylon shirt
    2. Light blue linen shirt

Takashi Mogi (left) and Yasuyuki Mogi (right) of Libre Yokohama, also known as the "Laundry Brothers"
For this second installment, our reporting team once again visited an operational factory to learn more about the laundry process.

Laundry Brothers, the company behind the popular natural laundry detergent brand Libre Yokohama , available at the gift corner of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building Residence , has released "White Detergent Powder (Bleach and Fluorescent Whitening Agent Free)," a powder detergent specifically for white clothing.
This article will guide you through essential laundry tips for summer through early autumn, using a powder detergent specifically designed for whites that tackles stubborn stains that liquid detergents alone can't remove, and thoroughly cleans white laundry (underwear, towels, socks, etc.) to its original whiteness!



New Product: Libre Yokohama White Detergent Powder (Bleach and Fluorescent Whitening Agent Free)
(500g) 3,780 yen View product


We'll explain our new product that's gentle on clothing, as it's free of fluorescent whitening agents and bleach.


Do you have dress shirts or T-shirts that have started to show noticeable yellowing around the neck, and are you putting them away because they look unsightly, even though you'd like to wear them? Libre Yokohama 's newly developed white laundry powder detergent, "White," is a liquid-based powder detergent. To enhance its cleaning power, the liquid detergent is processed over time into a powder, allowing it to tackle stubborn stains that liquid detergents alone cannot remove.

This powder detergent is free of fluorescent whitening agents and bleach. Clothes tend to become duller with each wash due to dirt such as sebum and sweat, but by making the detergent into a powder, the cleaning power is further enhanced, resulting in clothes that are one shade whiter with each wash.


True laundry begins with the preparation stage, when you thoroughly stir the detergent to create the washing solution.


Learn how to wash white clothes effectively.


The key to effectively using "White" is to dissolve the powder thoroughly using hot water . We recommend filling a wash tub with water at about 40°C, dissolving the appropriate amount of detergent, soaking for about 30 minutes, then putting the entire tub into the washing machine and running a rinse and spin cycle.

Underwear, dress shirts, and T-shirts, which tend to accumulate sebum and sweat stains, as well as aprons and lab coats that are prone to oil stains, can all be enhanced with "White" to increase their natural whiteness and reduce odors. It also helps to "anti-age" your clothes, preserving the texture of the fabric. You'll never have to be afraid to buy white items again.

This time, the Laundry Brothers will teach you how to properly wash summer clothes and hats, focusing on laundry methods using "white." Let's try out some anti-aging techniques for your clothes!


A laundry method using "White Detergent Powder" to achieve the original whiteness of clothing.




[List of essential laundry items]
 ■Water (approximately 2 liters of hot water)
■Wash tub (You can also use a large washbasin, bucket, or sink that can hold water for washing.)
■Brush

□Pre-wash spray to use: "Pre-wash spray (for cotton, linen, and synthetic fibers)" 1,998 yen (150ml) View product
White laundry detergent powder "White Detergent Powder" (500g) ¥3,780 View product



White cotton shirt



▶Step 1: Pre-treat the item to remove dirt.
First, as preparation for achieving whiteness, use the pre-treatment spray "Pre-wash spray" (hereinafter referred to as "pre-wash").
By using a pre-wash and brush, which are effective in removing sebum, food spills, foundation, mud, and other dirt, you can lift and break down not only surface dirt but also dirt accumulated deep within the fibers.


▶Step 2: Prepare the laundry solution
After brushing any noticeable stains, such as the collar of the shirt, leave it for about 15 minutes, then fill a wash tub with water at approximately 40°C .
The "White" formula uses 30g for 45 liters of water, and one scoop of the included spoon is 30g. This time, we stirred about 3g into the hot water.
Mix thoroughly until no powder particles are visible.



▶Step 3: Place the clothes in the laundry solution. Allow them to soak thoroughly.
Put the pre-washed clothes into the laundry solution.
Soak the collar in hot water, checking how well the dirt is coming off, and then add the garment. Gently press and wash the garment to ensure the laundry solution soaks into it thoroughly, and then leave it to soak for about an hour.

▶Step 4: Check how well the dirt has been removed, then spin dry and rinse.
After checking that the dirt has been removed, put the garment, along with the washing solution, into the washing machine.
Spin dry ⇒ rinse ⇒ spin dry to finish.
Smooth out the wrinkles and hang it to dry.



*The black stains caused by sebum on the collar are thoroughly removed, restoring it to its original whiteness.


White cotton T-shirt



▶Step 1: Pre-treat the item to remove dirt.
Just like with a white cotton shirt, pre-wash heavily soiled areas such as the collar, sleeves, and hem to break down the dirt. It's important to apply the pre-wash evenly to stubborn stains.


▶Step 2: Prepare the laundry solution and add the clothes. Make sure they are thoroughly soaked.
Fill a wash tub with water at approximately 40°C, stir in the "White" product, and soak the T-shirt for about an hour.
Because the fabric will partially float due to trapped air, the key is to place a wet towel or something similar on top of the T-shirt as a weight and completely submerge it in hot water!
"Soaking time equals the dirt-breaking power," so if the dirt is particularly stubborn, such as from sebum, soak it for about half a day.

▶Step 3: Check how well the dirt has been removed, then spin dry and rinse.
After soaking and visually confirming that the dirt has been removed, put the garment, along with the washing solution, into the washing machine drum, then spin-dry, rinse, and spin-dry again to finish.
When checking for stains, if there are still some remaining stains, rub them in and extend the soaking time.


*The ribbed neckline can become dirty with sebum, sweat, cosmetics, and sunscreen. Furthermore, repeated washing can cause it to become dull, but using "White Detergent Powder" will restore its original whiteness and texture.


Knit striped cut and sew



▶Step 1: Place in a net to prevent pilling.
Summer knits, such as striped tops, tend to pill easily due to friction. When washing easily pilled items in white, turn the garment inside out and place it in a laundry net.


▶Step 2: Prepare the laundry solution and add the clothes. Make sure they are thoroughly soaked.
Fill a wash tub with water at approximately 40°C , stir in the "White" product, and soak the clothes for about an hour.


▶Step 3: Check how well the dirt has been removed, then spin dry and rinse.
After soaking and confirming that the dirt has been removed, place the laundry net and the washing solution into the washing machine drum, then run the spin cycle, rinse, and spin cycle again to finish.
When checking for stains, if there are still some remaining stains, rub them in and extend the soaking time.
Also, stretchy fabrics should be dried flat.


*The cotton fabric has a less fuzzy finish. The contrast of the border is clearly visible.


White cotton cap



▶Step 1: Pre-treat the item to remove dirt.
Caps and hats, which are popular in the summer, are prone to sweat stains, so it's recommended to wash them even during the season. Sunscreen and foundation can easily get on them, causing yellowing and odor.
First, apply the pre-wash to heavily soiled areas and then brush them. Remove mud stains in the same way.


▶Step 2: Prepare the washing solution and add the clothes. Wash thoroughly until the clothes are fully soaked.
Fill a wash tub with lukewarm water at approximately 30°C , dissolve "White" in it, and soak the garment. Dirt and odors tend to accumulate in the seams, so adjust the soaking time based on how well the dirt in the seams is removed.



▶Step 3: Use a towel to prevent deformation while spinning and rinsing.
After soaking, stuff towels or similar material into the top to prevent deformation, place it in a laundry net and tie it, then put it in the washing machine along with the detergent solution.
Spin dry, rinse, and spin dry again.
Also, be careful not to over-dry the clothes, as this can cause them to lose their shape. Always stuff a towel into the head area, place them in a laundry net, and spin-dry for no more than one minute.
Rinse once for about 1-2 minutes.


▶Step 2: Prepare the laundry solution and add the clothes. Make sure they are thoroughly soaked.
Once you've reshaped the hat to prevent it from losing its shape, secure the brim of the hat in several places with a clothes hanger and let it dry.



The brim of the white cap, which had been left to accumulate a mixture of mud and sebum, looks remarkably clean now.
If you properly prepare the garment before washing, you shouldn't have to worry about stains.



How to wash colored and patterned clothing and linen fabrics using "Silk & Wool Detergent"




[List of essential laundry items]
 ■Water (approximately 2 liters at room temperature)
■Wash tub (You can also use a large washbasin, bucket, or sink that can hold water for washing.)
■Brush

□ View the product "Pre-wash spray" used as a pre-treatment spray for detergents.
Libre Yokohama Silk & Wool Detergent "Silk & Wool Detergent" ¥4,320 (600ml) View Product



Brown nylon shirt



▶Step 1: Prepare the laundry solution
Use a neutral detergent specifically for silk and wool. Just like with face washing, mix it well to create a rich lather. The foam will act as a cushion to prevent damage to the fibers.
*For synthetic fiber shirts such as lyocell, Tencel, and rayon, use a pre-wash spray on heavily soiled areas.


▶Step 2: Soak the garment in the laundry solution and hand wash it.
 Press the garment firmly into the washing solution, squeezing out the air. Wash thoroughly by hand.
*If the stains are severe, prepare a new batch of the washing solution from step ① and repeat the same process once more.



▶Step 3: Rinse thoroughly to remove the detergent.
 Pour fresh water into the wash tub and rinse.
To ensure no detergent residue remains, thoroughly immerse the clothes in the water and rinse them well.


▶Step 4: Place in a laundry net and spin dry and rinse in the washing machine.
 To prevent deformation, place the garment in a laundry net before spinning. Rinse for about 3 minutes . Since rayon shrinks easily, keep the spin cycle as short and gentle as possible.
*The image was taken immediately after rinsing. You can see that some of the water has evaporated.


▶Step 5: Hang on a hanger and let it air dry.
A key feature of this "silk and wool detergent" is that, as the clothes dry, the weight of the water will help smooth out some wrinkles, so natural drying is best. For colored clothes, it is recommended to turn them inside out and dry them in the shade.



*A shirt after air drying. Wrinkles are reduced, and the fabric retains its original texture.


Light blue linen shirt



▶Step 1: Pre-treat the item to remove dirt.
For synthetic fiber shirts such as lyocell, Tencel, and rayon, use a "pre-wash spray" on heavily soiled areas.
The collar and cuffs, in particular, tend to accumulate dirt, so be sure to check for stains after each wash.


▶Step 2: Prepare the laundry solution and soak the clothes.
Linen has thick fibers, so it's best to soak it in a white detergent when washing. However, because linen has fine fibers, use a detergent specifically for silk and wool to minimize pilling.
Soak the garment in the laundry solution for about 30 minutes , then hand wash it for about 10 minutes .



▶Step 3: Check how well the dirt has been removed, then spin dry and rinse.
Put the laundry, including the detergent solution, into the washing machine drum, then run the spin cycle, rinse, and spin cycle again to finish.
Make sure to stretch out the seams that tend to shrink, such as the placket, sides, cuffs, and collar of the shirt, before air-drying it in the shade.
By properly stretching the seams, you can achieve a casual shirt that doesn't require ironing and retains the texture of the fabric.



*The collar stains, which had yellowed due to residual detergent mixing with sebum, are now completely clean.
Rinsing thoroughly to remove all detergent and dirt is also very important for clothing!

▽Related articles you might also want to read▽
・[Interview] The "Laundry Brothers" from Yokohama bring their organic detergent to the world.
 • [Proper Laundry at Home] Instructions on how to hand wash delicate clothing, denim, and shirts.
・View the Libre Yokohama product list on the Isetan Online Store


*All prices include tax.

Text: ISETAN MEN'S net
Photo: TAKU FUJII

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