(Living)

How to Keep Your Winter Whites Bright

by Hannah Selinger
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wellsoft throw blanket on the white sofa

Winter is the season of white, and there's no better way to show off your home's beautiful interior than by embracing this palette. If the cold weather has you down, consider this time of year ripe for refreshing your space. Keeping your winter whites really, truly white may even help you get through the drudgery of the season. Plus, providing a clean, stylish home for those you care about makes the season that much better.

But what are the best ways to harness the color of winter? Start with the basics, of course. Those basics include a range of tried-and-true Clorox products, like Clorox® Regular Bleach with CLOROMAX, for brighter and longer-lasting white clothing and linens. Clorox® Clean-up® Cleaner + Bleach is another must-have, as it will leave the rest of your home looking as clean as that freshly fallen snow beyond your window.

For more advice on how to get everything looking its cleanest — and for ideas on how to enliven home décor with white this year — I reached out to Kathie Mullin, property manager and owner of Fork + Rose, a home decor store in Water Mill, New York. Here are some of her helpful hints for achieving the whitest winter ever.

1

Give New Life to Your Bed Linens

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One of the best ways to improve the look and feel of your room is to brighten your whites. "Creating a dreamy bed can be an art form," says Kathie Mullin. The expert suggests a full linen makeover — and by makeover, she means the perfect thread-count sheets, an ideally weighted blanket, the best pillows, and, of course, a deep clean. Using Clorox® Regular Bleach with CLOROMAX to reinvigorate those tired white duvets and sheets can add the punch you didn't know you needed.

Pro-Tip: Drape a winter white cashmere throw over your freshly cleaned duvet for a luxurious nod to the season.

2

Throws and Pillows Need Love, Too

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Maintaining your white linens may feel like a given, but how often do you remember to deep clean those throw pillow covers? Throw pillows get a lot of love, which is why it's important to get their covers looking their cleanest (and whitest, if that applies). One solid wash with Clorox® Regular Bleach with CLOROMAX and your white living room pillows will be looking their best.

Pro-Tip: Layer different textures of white (think: faux fur, wool, and satin) in your living room for added depth. "Winter is about feeling cozy," says Mullin. "Create a basket of warm white blankets in the corner of your living room to wrap up in during the cold winter months."

3

Gild the White Lilies

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If your blooms are always wilting the day after you buy them, Kathie Mullin has a solution. "Cut white flowers and use your favorite vase," Mullin says. "Keep the water fresh by adding 1/4 teaspoon Clorox® Regular Bleach with CLOROMAX per quart of water — and they can last for weeks."

Pro-Tip: White flora throughout the home is both winter wonderful and a reminder of the abundant spring to come. Adding this simple touch is a quick mood-booster!

4

Don't Forget the Water Closet

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I know, I know. It's only the toilet. But toilets can suffer from hard water rings, stains, and more. It's important not to forget about this bathroom essential, Mullin says, which is why she recommends regular deep cleaning with Clorox® Toilet Bowl Cleaner. The splash-less gel formula really adheres to stains, in an area where you need it most.

Pro-Tip: Mullin suggests simple updates to the powder room for maximum impact. "Update your powder room with a white ceramic soap dish, wicker tissue holders, and crisp white linen hand towels," she says.