Introduction:
When it comes to washing clothes, most of us are familiar with the basics: detergent, water, and fabric softener. But did you know that adding salt to your laundry can improve the cleanliness and freshness of your clothes? Not just any salt, though—coarse salt! While fine salt is great for cooking, coarse salt has a special place in the laundry room. Whether you’re looking to brighten colors, eliminate odors, or help soften fabric, this simple laundry hack could change the way you do your laundry. Let’s explore the benefits of adding a handful of coarse salt to your washing machine!
Ingredients:
1/4 to 1/2 cup of coarse salt (sea salt or kosher salt works best)
Your usual laundry detergent
Clothes to wash (of any kind)
Instructions:
Prepare Your Laundry: Sort your clothes as usual, separating colors from whites. Load your washing machine with the clothes that need washing.
Add the Coarse Salt: For a regular-sized load, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coarse salt directly into the drum with your clothes. If you’re washing delicate fabrics, use a smaller amount to avoid any abrasion.
Add Detergent: Add your usual laundry detergent to the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The salt will work in combination with the detergent to help clean and maintain the fabric.
Start the Wash Cycle: Choose your desired wash cycle based on the fabric type. For standard loads, a regular cycle works fine. The coarse salt will begin to work as the wash cycle progresses.
Dry as Usual: Once the washing cycle is complete, remove your clothes and dry them as usual, either by air-drying or using your dryer.
Tips for Serving and Storing:
Serving Tip: The coarse salt works as a natural fabric softener, so your clothes may come out feeling softer than usual. Additionally, it helps brighten colors and prevents the buildup of detergent residue, leaving your clothes feeling fresher.
Storing Tip: If you find yourself frequently using coarse salt in your laundry, keep a dedicated container in your laundry room to make it easy to access whenever you need it.
Variants:
Coarse Salt and Baking Soda Combo: For a deeper clean, you can combine coarse salt with 1/4 cup of baking soda. This combination helps with odor removal and can also soften fabrics.
Coarse Salt and Vinegar: If you have stubborn stains or want to reduce fading, add a cup of white vinegar along with the coarse salt to the wash. Vinegar can work as a natural stain remover while the salt keeps the colors vibrant.
Coarse Salt for Delicates: For delicate fabrics such as silk or wool, reduce the amount of coarse salt used to 2 tablespoons. This will provide the benefits without being too abrasive on the fabric.
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