If you're anything like us, you spend entirely too much of your day cleaning. So, when we find cleaning hacks that work, we pay attention. That's exactly what happened when we first heard about laundry stripping on TikTok.
Laundry stripping isn't exactly cutting edge technology. People have been using this soaking approach for years to remove detergent residue, fabric softener, minerals from hard water, and/or body oils from clothing and textiles. However, as with all things, one viral video can be very effective at reintroducing an approach that works. If you happened to miss the original video, click HERE.
So now that you've watched the video, you probably have questions. With that in mind, today we'll discuss laundry stripping: what it is, how to do it, and if it's effective.
What Is Laundry Stripping?
Laundry stripping is a thorough method of soaking laundry to remove leftover detergent, fabric softener, minerals from hard water and natural body oils that connect on your fabrics and textiles over time. If you've ever felt like your towels or sheets look particularly dingy even though you've washed them, they might need to be stripped.
The process of laundry stripping can be extensive.
Step 1
First, fill your bathtub (or sink or large bucket) with hot water.
Step 2
Add borax, washing soda (sodium carbonate) and laundry detergent (1:1:2 ratio). If you're using your bathtub, you should be adding 1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup of washing soda and 1/2 cup of liquid laundry detergent. Mix together until it is thoroughly mixed and the ingredients dissolve in the water.
Step 3
Add your clean towels or sheets into the water. Submerge and soak them until the water has cooled. This process typically takes a minimum of 4 hours. Stir towels and sheets occasionally to release the buildup.
Step 4
After 4-5 hours, the water should be room temperature or cool. Drain the murky water. Then, throw your towels or sheets into the washing machine on a rinse-only cycle. Once the cycle is complete, tumble dry on regular heat without dryer sheets.
How does laundry stripping work?
Hot water causes the dyes in the fabrics to run, which is why the water will turn brown or gray. As such, this approach tends to work best on whites or light-colored fabrics. While you can still soak colored textiles, we don't recommend mixing bright colors with whites as you may experience accidental bleed-over. We also only recommend using this approach on towels or sheets as you should really avoid stripping delicate items.
Is Laundry Stripping Effective?
The short answer is yes. However, the process of laundry stripping should not have to be added to your regular routine. In fact, you really shouldn't have to strip towels and sheets on a constant basis if you're washing them properly (using the right amount of detergent, washing according to the label, etc). That said, laundry stripping may be necessary if you regularly use homemade laundry detergent or live in an area with hard water.
As such, laundry stripping could be exactly what your towels or sheets need to bring them back to life, and for that, we think it's worth a shot before tossing them out and investing in new ones.
It's also worth noting that if you're consistently noticing build-up in your towels, sheets and clothing, there may be more to it. It could be your washer, the type of detergent you're using, or the wash cycles you're using. Try adjusting one step at a time and see if making subtle changes make a difference to your laundry.
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