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It takes much less work — and detergent — than you might think.

So how can you make sure your whites live up to their name when you’re doing the laundry? To find out, I asked Patric Richardson, also known as the Laundry Evangelist and the host of “The Laundry Guy” on HGTV and Discovery+. Richardson previously appeared on our Am I Doing It Wrong? podcast.

“The most common reason [white clothing stains or fades in the wash] is too much detergent,” Richardson says. “The detergent holds [a tinge] from the wash water and dulls white. The second reason is chlorine bleach. The bright white we know of is actually a dye, and bleach lifts [that] brightness and whiteness and dulls the bright white color.”

But if you don’t use bleach to whiten your whites, what do you use? Look no further — based on Richardson’s advice, we’ve rounded up some affordable laundry products (some of which are multipurpose cleaners, too!) that can keep your whites bright and beautiful.

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

Richardson recommends looking for a natural or plant-based laundry detergent or soap — just don't use too much (about two tablespoons per load should do it). Plant-based detergent can be gentler on clothes, since it contains fewer chemical ingredients that can damage clothing.

Our pick, this Ecos detergent, comes in two sizes and four scents. It has over 11,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, and for good reason: It's biodegradable, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested and has an EPA Safer Choice certification, meaning it's safer for the environment and human health. Plus, when you purchase it, you're supporting a Black woman-owned company.

Promising review: "I first discovered ECOS at my Costco and was happy to say the least at how well this detergent worked. Our clothes are clean, soft and the colors clear and bright and the whites are as white as can be. Imagine how much I loved to find it on Amazon!" —Wendy McGuire

So what about this oxygen bleach that Richardson mentioned? "Look for 100% sodium percarbonate," he says.

Sodium percarbonate is a chemical compound with color-safe and fabric-safe properties that releases oxygen when dissolved in water, so it's able to brighten laundry while being a more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach (that also won't lift the bright white dyes out of your white clothes). It can also be used for multipurpose cleaning around the house.

This sodium percarbonate from MaxTite comes in a two-pound bottle with a convenient screw-on lid for minimum mess. Just add a scoop to boost your laundry detergent's power on both whites and colors.

Promising review: "I like the level of clean you get with stainless pans, insulated coffee mugs, electric kettle, laundry whitener and more! Nothing toxic. No smell. Really works. You just need to dilute with hot hot hot water. We also use it in washing machine for laundering whites, linens. Gets mildew out! Where has this been all my life. I’m sticking with this. Way better than OxyClean. Worth the price." —Dr. KLove

While this Molly Suds Oxygen Whitener isn't 100% sodium percarbonate, it does contain that powerful ingredient, as well as citric acid, sodium carbonate, and lemon oil. This oxygen whitener is a bleach alternative that reviewers find just as effective. It has a hypoallergenic formula and is multipurpose, chlorine-free and residue-free.

Promising review: "Molly's Suds Oxygen Whitener is a game-changer for my laundry routine! It's a powerful bleach alternative that really brightens my whites and keeps colors vibrant, all without any harsh chlorine. I noticed a big difference after just a couple of washes—stains are gone, and fabrics look fresh and clean.

The price is the best I’ve seen for a non-toxic, eco-friendly whitener like this. I love that it's safe for my family and the environment. The packaging is simple and sturdy, fitting perfectly on my laundry shelf. I’m very likely to buy this product again and recommend it to anyone looking for a safer way to keep their laundry bright. Absolutely 5 stars!" —Amy Biggs

Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in three sizes). 

One of the most effective ways to lift stains out of white clothes can also be one of the easiest: using white vinegar. "My favorite way to treat sweat stains is to avoid them!" Richardson says. "Spray the area with 50/50 vinegar and water then wash using an oxygen bleach and that is usually effective."

Vinegar's acidic properties allow it to assist in breaking down and lifting stains, helping to whiten clothes. And as reviewers of this Aunt Fannie's extra-strength cleaning vinegar point out, it can also act as a fabric softener. This vinegar has 6% acidity, is unscented with no added dyes and it's multipurpose. Use it in your laundry (as a solution with water), as well as to clean grout, porcelain, plastic, ceramic and more surfaces around the house.

Promising review: "This is a easy to carry, easy to store product. White vinegar is THE BEST fabric softener there is! It leaves a fresh scent to your laundry and dilutes any "left behind" sudsy residue. (Don't worry - your clothes won't smell like a salad!) I add it right into the fab softener or bleach dispenser. As an extra bonus, my machine never gets that damp, moldy odor. Best laundry hack ever." —Sheal85

"The ultimate trick is, if your white has faded out, you can use bluing," Richardson says. "Just follow the instructions for your machine. This often is very effective."

Despite the name, bluing won't turn your clothes blue — instead, you can think of it as a kind of color corrector. It works by reflecting light off of the fabric, which can reduce yellows and make clothes appear brighter and whiter.

This Mrs. Stewart's bluing liquid can work with just a few drops or up to a quarter teaspoon diluted in cold water before being added to the wash water.

Promising review: "With the high cost of dry cleaning, I decided to toss my white cotton jean jacket. I remembered my grandma used this product and thought it was worth a try before throwing out the jacket. Read the instructions on their website for front load washers and gave it a try. I was stunned by the brightness. I threw in some T shirts that was also brought back to life. This stuff WORKS!!!" —Msj

If you have yellow pit stains on your white shirts, the culprit may actually have nothing to do with your detergent: The aluminum found in many antiperspirants can chemically react with your sweat to form those stains. Luckily, this has an easy fix: switching to an aluminum-free deodorant like this one from Native. Available in five scents, including unscented, this deodorant is made from natural ingredients and reviewers say it lasts long, even for workouts.

Promising review: "This is the best natural deodorant period! I’ve tried so many others and while some work for regular sweat or workout sweat this one works for stress sweat as well. That nasty oniony smell I hate so much but this deodorant stops the smell and lasts almost two days without putting more on. It also doesn’t make my underarms dark which I really appreciate. No yellowing either on my whites and light colors. I highly recommend." —D. Mills

Get it from Amazon for $12.90+ (available in 15 scents).

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.