Think: a hard-working canvas tote, the faded jeans you wear while gardening, even those tighty-whities. Not to mention that buying extra cleaning products can get pricey, and storing them a challenge.īut if you chose to invest in stripping substances, what can you use them on beyond those sheets and towels? Rugged items that get a lot of use and are washed often (but may not rinse clean) ought to stand up to the treatment. It should be used with caution, as you would any other chemical substance. It’s also important to avoid stripping dark colors, as well, as the process can fade them.Īlso be advised that borax, though “natural,” is considered a low toxicity material by the National Institutes for Health that can irritate skin and eyes, and be harmful if swallowed. Synthetics used for athletic wear, particularly spandex, will likely lose elasticity and shine if stripped (sorry, stinky workout gear!).

Wool is out, too, since lanolin-a natural waxy substance that helps maintain the fiber-would be removed by the treatment. Obviously, anything that requires a cold-water wash is a no-no. Other everyday fabrics can be damaged if stripped, however. Towels that have lost their absorbency may even bounce back after stripping. If cotton or cotton-blend bed and bath linens have started to look dingy, feel a bit sticky, or smell slightly off, they may benefit from the process. The ideal candidates are sheets and towels-items more prone to harboring product residue because their big, bulky size makes them less likely to rinse completely. Stripping isn’t recommended for everything in your laundry hamper. But hold on, that doesn’t mean you should start stripping all your washables as part of your regular routine. It’s pretty powerful stuff! No wonder images of dark, murky water from stripped laundry had their social media moment-folks were horrified that newly washed clothes would release so much icky-looking muck. powdered detergent, which cleans without depositing the residue that liquid products can.borax washing soda (a borate-mineral concentrate), which functions as a bleaching agent to brighten.laundry soda (sodium carbonate), which softens water to help lift oils, soils, and residue.Laundry stripping works to get rid of this buildup via very hot water and a combination of three ingredients:

While today’s quality detergents are effective at removing most dirt and stains, liquid laundry products can leave residue behind-to which soils and oils can tenaciously cling. The Lowdown on Laundry StrippingĬall it a cleaning Catch-22. Read on to learn the pros and cons of the process, plus a formula for safely bringing a brighter, cleaner, better-feeling quality to your sheets, towels, and garments. Stripping isn’t appropriate for all fabrics, nor should you be overly gung-ho about doing it. An old-school practice that’s gotten renewed attention lately, laundry stripping refers to a soaking treatment that can banish hidden gunk and grime that regular machine washing may not rinse out entirely. That’s where laundry stripping might help. Indeed, the way you wash can contribute to this less-than-fresh condition. Here’s a dirty little secret: Despite your best washday efforts, some of your clothes and linens may not be as clean as they could be.

Diy laundry stripping