My clothes were never pure white and fresh smelling after washing. Then I did this!

There are lots of tricks you can do to keep your whites WHITE. I wrote about how to wash your sheets here. Here’s a strip wash recipe I found which works!

The build up of laundry detergent, chemicals or improper washing techniques can leave clothes, towels, sheets, pillowcases and quilts needing an EXTRA kick every now and then. It’s like re-setting the fabrics. I also think the over-use of chemicals and fragrance is just not good for anyone long term.

I don’t recommend doing on dark clothes because you’ll most likely just strip the colour. Do this at your discretion. Many people think they are strip washing dark clothes, but in fact they are just taking out the colour.

Strip washing works excellent on bedding and towels specifically.

How to strip wash recipe

Washing soda, borax, and regular laundry detergent with enzymes

1. Dissolve 1/4 cup washing soda and 1/4 cup borax in 4L of HOT water, then add 2 caps of laundry detergent. You can use whatever you like here. Some people use dishwashing liquid. I use this. I prefer low-tox.
2. Soak all your items in the water until it cools (at least 4 hours).
3. The water may become murky and it’s normal for it to smell a little unpleasant. However, if your water does not change colour, that is ok. There are plenty of gross things that we cannot see.
4. Stir the clothes occasionally (every 45-60 minutes) to help release more minerals from the fabrics.
5. After the water is cool, drain the tub and squeeze all water from the items.
6. Complete with a full WATER ONLY wash cycle. This will make sure all the detergent and mineral solution is out of your fabrics.

Wash through the machine again with vinegar and lemon.

The combination of vinegar and lemon juice is the most powerful stain remover you will ever use. Wash your clothes with this, and you will never ever see those ugly stains again. I use a cup of white vinegar with 30 drops lemon essential oil (pure essential oils are super powerful). Vinegar is a deodoriser and lemon will lighten and brighten. Use this combination in a normal wash cycle through your machine.

Fill with HOT water.

These pillowcases are CLEAN, but watch what comes out of them!

Ummmmm…. ewww! 4 hours later.

Now that your items are back to square one, be sure to start fresh with a proper wash routine. 🙂

You might like more cleaning posts here.

♥ KC.

Washing soda (Letric) and Borax available from supermarkets.