How to Strip Laundry: The Ultimate Guide for Clean, Fresh Clothes

We’ve all experienced it: clothes that just don’t seem to come out of the wash as fresh as they should. Over time, detergent buildup, body oils, fabric softeners, and minerals for hard water can leave clothes looking dull, feeling stiff, or even smelling a little off, no matter how many times you wash them. This is where the art of stripping laundry comes into play!

Stripping laundry is a deep-cleaning technique that goes beyond your standard laundry routine to remove residue and revitalize fabrics. Here’s everything you need to know to strip your laundry effectively and make your clothes feel brand new again.

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What is Stripping Laundry?

Stripping laundry involves a process where you soak your clothes in a mixture of water and specific cleaning agents to break down and lift away the accumulated residue. This process helps remove things like detergent buildup, fabric softeners, oils, and other substances that your regular wash cycles can’t fully remove.

The result? Fabrics that feel softer, smell fresher, and look more vibrant.

Why Should You Strip Laundry?

1. Restore Freshness: Over time, detergent and softener residue can build up on your clothes, making them feel stiff or less absorbent. Stripping laundry will remove this buildup and restore the fabric’s original feel and appearance.
2. Brighten Colors: Stripping laundry can help bring back the vibrancy of your clothes, especially for white or light-colored fabrics that might have developed a dingy appearance.
3. Eliminate Stubborn Odors: If your laundry smells musty, sour, or funky, stripping can help by removing the odors caused by trapped residue and bacteria that might linger even after washing.
4. Improve Absorbency: For towels, sheets, and other fabrics that need to soak up moisture, stripping can help restore absorbency by removing fabric softener buildup that hinders the process.

When to Strip Laundry?

Stripping isn’t something you need to do with every load. Typically, this deep-clean method is recommended once a month or when you notice any of the following signs:

• Clothes feel stiff or sticky after washing.
• Towels are no longer as absorbent.
• Clothes have a persistent odor, even after washing.
• Your laundry seems to be getting dirtier faster.

What You’ll Need to Strip Laundry

Ingredients:

1. Washing Soda: This powerful cleaning agent helps break down residue and dirt.
2. Borax: A mineral-based laundry booster that enhances the cleaning process.
3. Laundry Detergent: Yes, you’ll still need some regular detergent for the soaking mixture. Just make sure it’s not too harsh!
4. Hot Water: You’ll need to use hot water for the soaking process as it helps dissolve the buildup.

Supplies:

• A bathtub, large plastic bin, or bucket (large enough to submerge your clothes).
• A large spoon or stick for stirring (I use a broom, upside down).

How to Strip Laundry: Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the Soaking Solution

• Start by filling your bathtub or bucket with hot water. You’ll want enough water to completely submerge your laundry.
• Add 1/4 cup of washing soda, 1/4 cup of Borax, and a scoop of laundry detergent (about 1/4 of what you’d normally use in a wash). Stir the solution well to ensure the ingredients are fully dissolved.

2. Submerge Your Laundry

• Add your laundry to the hot water mixture, making sure the clothes are fully immersed. If you’re stripping towels, sheets, or bedding, be sure to pack them in loosely so that the water can flow freely around the fabric.
• Gently stir the clothes every 30 minutes to ensure that all fabrics are getting exposed to the solution.

3. Let it Soak

• Let the laundry soak for at least 4-6 hours. If you want to strip deeply or have a larger load, you can even leave them overnight. You’ll notice the water may turn murky as residue and grime are lifted from your fabrics.

4. Rinse and Wash

• After the soaking period, drain the water and rinse the laundry thoroughly with fresh, clean water to remove any leftover solution.
• Then, wash the clothes as usual in your washing machine. Use your regular laundry detergent, but avoid adding fabric softener or dryer sheets for this wash cycle to ensure that no new buildup occurs.

5. Dry and Enjoy

• Dry your clothes or bedding as usual. After stripping, you’ll likely notice that they come out feeling softer, smelling fresher, and looking more vibrant!

Tips for the Best Results

• Don’t Overdo It: Stripping laundry too frequently can stress out your fabrics, so try to limit this process to once every few weeks or months.
• Spot Test: If you’re concerned about certain fabrics (like delicates or items with sensitive dyes), do a spot test in a small amount of water before submerging the entire item.
• Use the Right Amount of Water: Make sure your water is hot enough, but not boiling. Boiling water can damage certain fabrics.
• Consider Using a Top-Loading Washer: If you’re using a washing machine for stripping, a top-loader gives you the most space for soaking.

Common Misconceptions

Does Stripping Laundry Remove Stains? No, stripping laundry is more about breaking down and removing buildup. For stains, you’ll still need to pre-treat and use your regular stain-fighting techniques.

Is Stripping Safe for All Fabrics? Most fabrics, like cotton and polyester, can handle the stripping process. However, delicate fabrics, like silk or wool, may require extra care and should not be stripped in this way.

Other Posts You May Enjoy from The Organic Beehive

• Are Store-Bought Cleaners Really Safe to Use?
• Simple Homemade Moisturizer Using Tallow
• Why is Buying Organic Important?

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