White jeans are great. They work with anything! However, white jeans are like red lipstick - you have to commit.
I can't wear mine just anywhere as I don't want to get a stain or accidentally sit on something! However there are several things you can do to keep them (and any other white garments), looking clean and new.
The first option is a common household product - hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is the liquid form of OxiClean (Google 'OxiClean ingredient list' and hydrogen peroxide will be listed as the active ingredient! :).
This works great when it comes to getting out stains on your white clothes (you don't want to use bleach since that is very harsh on your clothes and will break down the fibers).
I recommend putting 1/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide in with your load of white clothes (and regular detergent) and then let it soak.
This is my favorite option because it's natural (the only thing I remember from chemistry class is that hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 and therefore turns into water when exposed to light). It's also inexpensive and non-toxic (that's super important to me!)
The second option is a product called White Brite.
My mom has used this on things like sheets and pillow cases when they started to look a little yellow. Again, you’ll need to soak your whites (for about an hour), but it really works! And you don’t need to use this every time you wash something - just when you want things to look a little brighter.
Surprising, the best place to buy this is at the hardware store (I don’t think I’ve ever seen it at Target). Their website lists Lowe’s, Menards and Ace. Amazon is also a good source.
One last piece of advice about white clothes. Remember that many of the inexpensive white clothes are actually dyed to look white. The original fabric may be off-white. This is why many of your white items might look “gray” or dingy after a few washes and wears.
I’m not saying you should pay $200 for a pair of white jeans, but look to see how white something is — is it too bright? The same thing happens with jewelry and hardware on bags that’s too shiny - it looks cheap. Items should be white, but not electric or bright white and don’t go for the cheapest item out there. If it’s only a t-shirt that you don’t mind replacing every season, then fine, an inexpensive one is great. However, spending a bit more on a beloved piece should stand the test of time and these options can help!