Cleaning your kitchen whites?
 

I don't know what forum to put this topic in, but its towards all the Chefs.

At the restaurant I work at, I have a tendency of getting my whites all dirty, and since it's an open kitchen I have to look clean to the customers.

I have a good 7 or 8 chef jackets that are quite dirty, and we all know they don't come cheap.

Does anybody have any tips or tricks to get your jackets incredibly white or at least decent enough to get the stains gone for good?

What material is the chef's jacket made out of?

Have you tried bleach? (though becareful of bleach, because that can weaken fabrics. Or some of the 'miracle stain remover' products on the market, like oxyclean?

Have the chef's jackets been put thru the dryer? Or ironed...If that's the case, you might be out of luck, the heat of the dryer will often set in a stain...

In the kitchen most stains are probably protein based, generally when those stains are fresh, the best way to get them out is to soak the garment in cold water and then wash on a gentle cycle.

honestly, I don't know what to tell you. my shit always gets messy, as I work a combination of prep, garde manger, and pastry - which means I'm always around sticky, goopy, sweet stuff that inevitably stains everything it comes in contact with. you could always try the salt/seltzer thing from curb your enthusiasm...

oxyclean, all the way.
i use a bucket filled with a scoop of it and enough water to cover the garment, then soak. after a few hours, the stain will usually rinse right out. but some have required an extra soak and wash.

and as mal pointed out, you don't ever want to put stained stuff under an iron or in the dryer.

<b>Shout</b>&trade; works well for my stains. found at grocery stores, many places.
http://www.shoutitout.com/

plus for years & years, all my whites get bleach. i've been told it weakens fabrics as mal said & shortens the life of your clothing or linens, but i've yet to notice as our whites & linens live on for a decade or more...

but yeah, don't count on bleach for stain removal.
bleach is good for keeping things bright & sanitary.