Deep clean your clothes in a bathtub using a process called laundry stripping. This method removes built-up residue like detergent, fabric softener, minerals, and body oils, leaving your clothes feeling fresh and clean.
Steps to Deep Clean Clothes in a Bathtub:
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Fill Your Bathtub with Hot Water: Turn on the hot water tap and fill your bathtub with the hottest water possible. The water should be deep enough to fully submerge the clothes you intend to clean. Multiple sources, including HGTV (https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/laundry-stripping) and Good Housekeeping (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a33588329/laundry-stripping/), recommend this crucial first step.
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Add Cleaning Ingredients: Add the following to the hot water:
- ¼ cup Borax
- ¼ cup Washing Soda
- ½ - 1 cup Laundry Detergent (powdered detergent is recommended)
Note: The amount of detergent can be adjusted based on the amount of laundry and its soil level. Some sources suggest starting with ½ cup and adding more if needed (https://www.reddit.com/r/CleaningTips/comments/140uzha/laundry_stripping_has_changed_my_life/).
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Place Your Items Into the Hot Water: Submerge your clean clothes (towels, sheets, etc.) completely in the hot water mixture. Ensure all items are fully saturated.
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Let the Garments Soak for Six Hours (or longer): Allow the clothes to soak for at least six hours, or even overnight for optimal cleaning. The longer they soak, the more effective the cleaning process.
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Squeeze Water Out of Clothing: After soaking, remove the clothes from the tub. Gently squeeze out excess water; avoid twisting or wringing, which can damage the fabric.
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Run a Rinse + Spin Cycle: Rinse the clothes thoroughly in the washing machine using a rinse cycle, followed by a spin cycle to remove remaining water.
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Dry Items as Usual: Dry the clothes as you normally would, using a dryer or air drying.
Tips for Success:
- Pre-treat Stains: For best results, pre-treat any stubborn stains before placing the clothes in the bathtub.
- Protect Your Tub: Consider laying down an old towel or shower curtain liner in the bathtub to protect the surface from any discoloration.
- Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation in the bathroom to minimize potential lingering odors.
