Adding salt when washing clothes is one of those old tricks that is still successfully used today.
Despite the development of modern technologies and the emergence of various detergents, salt continues to be a popular component in washing due to its unique properties.
What is the secret of this simple but effective ingredient and how to use salt correctly to get maximum benefit for your laundry?
Salt as a color preserving agent
One of the main reasons many people add salt to their laundry is because of its ability to preserve the color of fabrics.
Salt prevents dye from washing out of the fibers, helping clothes to retain the brightness and saturation of color. This is especially important for new items that may fade during the first washing.
Salt creates a protective barrier around the fibers, reducing the chance of color fading.
Stain removal
Salt is known for its abrasive properties, which help effectively remove various stains and dirt from fabric.
It copes well with greasy stains, drink stains and even sweat stains.
Adding salt to your washing powder or pre-soaking your laundry in a salt solution can help you deal with the toughest stains, leaving your clothes cleaner and fresher.
Softening hard water
In some regions, water can be particularly hard, which can negatively affect the quality of washing.
Hard water contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which prevent detergents from dissolving effectively and worsen the condition of fabrics.
Salt helps soften the water, allowing the powder to dissolve better and improving the washing process. This makes the laundry softer and extends its life.
Antibacterial properties of salt
Another benefit of using salt in your laundry is its antibacterial properties. Salt helps kill bacteria and fungi that can build up on fabric, especially when it comes to sportswear or towels.
This provides additional hygiene and freshness to your items, which is especially important for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
Economy and ecology
Using salt in your laundry is not only beneficial for your laundry, but also cost-effective. Salt is a cheap and affordable product that can be easily found in any store.
In addition, it is environmentally friendly, making it a great alternative to chemical additives and softeners.
In modern conditions, when more and more people are thinking about protecting nature, this aspect becomes especially significant.
How to Use Salt Properly When Washing
To achieve the best results, it is important to use salt correctly when washing.
It is recommended to add about half a cup of salt to the washing machine along with your regular detergent.
When washing brightly colored or new items, you can increase the amount of salt to one glass to prevent fading.
You can also pre-soak heavily soiled items in a salt solution before the main wash.
Earlier we talked about why you should leave a glass of water with soda in the refrigerator.
