Hansen recommended starting your laundry stripping with a load of clean clothes. Then run the laundry through a wash cycle in your washing machine without any detergent. Īfter about four hours of soak time, squeeze out excess water as much as possible.

The TikTok that kicked off this trend used a mixture of Borax, Arm & Hammer super washing soda and Tide powder laundry detergent.

Laundry detergent contains surfactants and enzymes to break down and remove other build-up on fabrics.

The Borax and washing soda are laundry boosters, which remove hard water minerals in fabrics. The extra water and extended soak time allow the laundry mixture to strip away the buildup that regular detergents leave on clothes. Since not everyone has one, using the bathtub is often the most convenient option.īecause of the extra-large capacity of a bathtub, it allows for the laundry powders and hot water to have access to all parts of the laundry, Hansen explained. Laundry stripping can be done in a traditional washing machine, though it requires a top-load washer. Unlike other common laundry products, the cleaning agents used to strip laundry don’t have a waxy build-up that forms over time and causes clothes to become stiff and uncomfortable to wear (laundry scent beads, we’re looking at you). Elizabeth Mullans, a dermatologist in Houston, Texas. “Laundry stripping is a soaking method designed to deep-clean your laundry, with the intent to remove built-up residue from detergent, hard water, body oils and fabric softener, which you simply cannot do using a washing machine,” explained Dr. “Plus, it’s satisfying to see the murky colored water and see how much cleaner you’ve been able to get your laundry,” Hansen said.īut what, exactly, does laundry stripping do? And is it safe for your fabrics? Here’s a closer look at the latest laundry trend. Laundry stripping provides physical proof that our regular laundry methods might not be working as well as we thought. “One reason that we have seen a rise in this laundry trend is because of the shock factor that it gives people when they realize that the clothes they thought were clean are horrifically dirty,” said Michelle Hansen, an organizing and cleaning expert and owner of Practical Perfection. You may not be getting an adequate final rinse if the washer is packed too tightly.Here for the towel stripping? 🙋♀️ #laundry #cleanfreak #laundrymagic #laundrystripping #tide #borax #armandhammer #diycleaning ♬ original sound - MrsLaurenElms Don’t pack the washer any more than 3/4 full.Learn more about the do’s and don’ts of fabric softener. Never add fabric softener to loads with towels or workout clothes.Fabric softener should be added during the final rinse of the cycle. It can create a “sludge” that builds up on clothes. If you add products manually, don’t add detergent and fabric softener together.Maytag also recommends ultra-concentrated detergent like Swash™, that offers a Precision Pour Cap to prevent overpouring and waste. Check the bottle for suggestions on how much to use, or check your washer for a feature that automatically dispenses the right amount of detergent, like the Optimal Dose Dispenser by Maytag. It's very common to use too much product. Use less detergent and fabric softener.You can avoid the hassle of laundry stripping by preventing build-up in the first place with some of these techniques:

Laundry stripping recipe bathtub