There’s no better feeling than going to sleep in clean, fresh bedding. However, it can be a real challenge to keep your white linens looking their best when stains are a real problem. Fortunately, Ruth Welton, a laundry expert from Soak and Sleep, has shared a simple yet effective tip to banish those pesky stains for good.

Ditch the bleach and white vinegar, and instead, add a squeeze of lemon juice to your regular wash. According to Ruth, “To help remove stubborn stains, add lemon juice to your wash along with your normal washing powder or liquid.” A quarter of a cup should do the trick, thanks to the citric acid in the lemon. Lemon juice is not just a great addition to your cooking, but it’s also a natural stain-fighter. The citric acid works wonders at breaking down unsightly sweat patches and other residues, leaving your bed sheets and pillowcases looking brighter and whiter.

But that’s not all - lemon juice also has antibacterial properties, which help to eliminate the germs that can cause fabric discolouration. This means that your bedsheets will not only look cleaner, but they’ll also be germ-free.

To get the most out of this trick, hang your laundered sheets out to dry in the sunshine. Not only will it help to brighten your whites, but Ruth says that “the sun acts as a natural bleaching agent, brightening your whites even more”.

She advised: “Hanging your sheets on a line can also help to remove creases as they blow in the breeze, minimising the need for ironing which is better for the fibres.”

To keep your sheets sparkling white, wash them at least every two weeks to prevent any buildup from causing dinginess.

If your sheets still appear grey or have a yellowish hue despite your efforts, consider changing your detergent to one that’s more powerful for tackling tough stains.

Ruth suggested: “With good quality washing powder, you can launder your bed linen at lower temperatures, which will help protect the fibres.”

She explained: “Unless your bed linen is heavily stained, washing at 40C should suffice as today’s washing powders and liquids are designed to work effectively at lower temperatures.”

The specialist cautioned against using bleach or other strong cleaning agents on your bedding, noting they're detrimental to stain treatment and cause faster deterioration of the linen's shine.

Ruth warned: “Avoid the use of chemical bleach on your sheets as it can damage the fibres and it has a chemical reaction to protein stains like sweat that can make those stains appear more yellow.”