{"id":1617,"date":"2024-08-20T17:30:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T17:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/?p=1617"},"modified":"2025-04-16T14:34:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T14:34:18","slug":"how-to-strip-laundry-try-our-laundry-stripping-recipe-its-better-than-bleach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/20\/how-to-strip-laundry-try-our-laundry-stripping-recipe-its-better-than-bleach\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Strip Laundry + Try Our Laundry Stripping Recipe (It\u2019s Better Than Bleach!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Learn how to strip laundry! Our easy 3-ingredient laundry stripping recipe is more powerful than bleach!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210401 size-large skip-lazy lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"holding detergent for laundry stripping\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/holding-detergent-for-laundry-stripping-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\"><strong>Ever heard of laundry stripping?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>I really hadn&rsquo;t either until I started seeing murky water videos and pics trending on <a target=\"_blank\">TikTok<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a> back in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>People were soaking their towels in bathtubs filled with hot water and a laundry stripping recipe, and then showing how the water would turn dark. <em>It&rsquo;s sort of gross yet satisfying at the same time!&nbsp; <\/em>&#128514;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11045065 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"laundry stripping\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/laundry-stripping-e1711654522111.png\"><\/p>\n<p>The more I researched how to strip laundry and detox clothes, I actually started to see lots of savvy cleaning sites have content surrounding the concept. So it isn&rsquo;t a new topic, but I had never tried it myself and wanted to give a laundry stripping recipe a shot!<\/p>\n<p>Honestly, laundry is NOT one of my favorite chores. In fact, it may just be my <em>least<\/em> favorite household activity, but seeing intriguing videos of laundry stripping suddenly perked my interest and motivated me to try it!<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2><em>Are you a visual learner? I was so excited to give this a try that I even created a video showing how to strip laundry:<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"DIY Laundry Stripping: This Viral Cleaning Trend is Worth Trying!\" width=\"990\" height=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9o8T2TcxL_U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"knockout default-blue\">\n<p class=\"intro lead\" style=\"text-align: center\"><a target=\"_blank\">Watch my laundry-stripping video on YouTube!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210391 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"laundry stripping towels\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/laundry-stripping-towels-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is laundry stripping?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Learning how to strip laundry? It&rsquo;s all about getting the stink and funk out of fabric!<\/em> The idea is to soak and detox clothes, workout gear, sheets, and\/or towels in water for a long time using a powerful mix of <a target=\"_blank\">Borax<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\">washing soda<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\">powdered laundry detergent<\/a>. Bacteria, body oils, dirt, and fabric softener build-up, get released along with the hard-to-remove stinky smells.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It&rsquo;s crazy how even CLEAN white sheets and towels can have such a build-up and create dark water when soaked!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Below is a photo of my clean towels after 5 hours of soaking! Eww! <\/em>&#128584;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210420 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"murkey water from stripping towels\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/murkey-water-from-stripping-towels-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\"><strong>Here&rsquo;s how to strip laundry and detox clothes, towels, and linens&hellip;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The process involves filling a bathtub or a top-loading washer with hot water and then adding in the Borax, washing soda, and powdered detergent mixture. Then you can add in your sheets, towels, or workout clothing and let everything soak for 4-6 hours. Lastly, wash and dry like normal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"intro lead\">According to <a target=\"_blank\">DailyMail.com<\/a>, this 3 ingredient laundry stripping recipe is more powerful than using bleach!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210384 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"3 ingredient laundry stripping method\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/3-ingredient-laundry-stripping-method-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\">For this laundry stripping recipe, you&rsquo;ll need 1\/4 cup Borax + 1\/4 cup washing soda + 1\/2 cup powdered detergent:<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\">Borax<\/a> is a popular laundry booster for lifting acidic stains, making fabrics whiter, and dissolves great for this soaking technique.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Washing soda or sodium carbonate is also great for soaking hard-to-remove stains due to its high alkalinity and helps to remove hard water build-up in the laundry. In case you have a hard time finding it, I found my <a target=\"_blank\">Arm &amp; Hammer washing soda at Walmart<\/a>, and it seems readily available there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>It&rsquo;s recommended to pick a powdered laundry detergent as it will dissolve easier than a concentrated liquid one. I am using <a target=\"_blank\">powdered Tide<\/a>, and if you need an allergy-friendly option then consider <a target=\"_blank\">Tide Free &amp; Gentle<\/a> (or your favorite brand) instead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"knockout default-blue\">\n<p><strong>Hip Tip:<\/strong> Mixing hot water and a small amount of powdered laundry detergent is actually another popular hack for cleaning up carpet and upholstery stains. <em>As always, you&rsquo;ll want to test a small area first.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10211128 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"woman holding white towels\" width=\"912\" height=\"576\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woman-holding-white-towels-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210537 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"filling a bathtub with water\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/filling-a-bathtub-with-water-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210503 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"stripping towels in the bathtub\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/stripping-towels-in-the-bathtub-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210513 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"mixing laundry with end of broom\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/mixing-laundry-with-end-of-broom-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10210528 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"putting towels in the washer\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/putting-towels-in-the-washer-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"recipe recipe-shortcode\">\n<div class=\"recipe-title\">\n<h2>Laundry Stripping Recipe<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"button button-transparent print-recipe\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-print\"><\/i>Print<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-top small\">\n<h4 class=\"section-header\">Supplies Needed<\/h4>\n<div class=\"ingredients-list background\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bRudi\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1\/4 cup Borax\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bRudl\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1\/4 cup washing soda\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bRucT\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1\/2 cup powdered detergent\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-top margin-bottom\">\n<h4 class=\"section-header\">Directions<\/h4>\n<div class=\"directions background\">\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Place towels or clothing in a bathtub or top-loader washer and cover with HOT water.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Mix Borax, washing soda, and powdered detergent together. Sprinkle the mixture over the contents in the water.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Mix the apparel, bedding, and\/or towels around in the laundry stripping solution and let soak for 4-6 hours, making sure to mix once every hour for as long as they soak. I actually used the end of a broomstick because my water was too hot to touch!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Drain the water and transfer the contents to the washer. Wash and dry laundry like normal, except now you don&#8217;t have to add more detergent.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Enjoy your soft and clean laundry!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11045056 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"laundry stripping in the tub\" width=\"912\" height=\"479\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/laundry-stripping-in-the-tub.jpg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"knockout default-blue\">\n<blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\"><strong>Here are a few tips to consider when laundry stripping:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li>This is a pretty powerful deep-cleaning method that shouldn&rsquo;t be used on delicates or anything needed to be washed gently. Reserve this laundry stripping recipe for ultra-stinky gym clothes, sports shirts, towels, and sheets. Also, if you do this on colored items, keep like colors together to avoid bleeding. That said, depending on your tub, this solution could stain the surface. This treat is better reserved for whites and light colors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Reserve this method of stripping laundry every few months so it won&rsquo;t damage your fabrics. This isn&rsquo;t meant as an everyday laundry routine. Also, keep in mind that I have <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">affordable white towels<\/a> from <a>Costco<\/a>, so if you have some expensive fancy ones, proceed at your own risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>I used this method to detox clothes and strip my husband&rsquo;s often stinky white undershirts with success. They aren&rsquo;t perfectly white, but do smell and feel clean now!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>You don&rsquo;t have to use a bathtub! I used mine because I don&rsquo;t have a top-loading washing machine. You could also use a large bucket or put this laundry stripping recipe in a sink using the same ratio but smaller amounts of the recommended cleaning powders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10211125 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"clean towels on the dryer\" width=\"912\" height=\"612\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-from-iOS-30.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"intro lead\">Now I&rsquo;m searching for more things to wash with this laundry method!<\/h3>\n<p>This laundry stripping recipe is also helpful for tackling funky-smelling sports gear. My sister-in-law told me she used this same method in the sink to soak some of her husband&rsquo;s hats that had a funky smell, which I think sounds smart, too!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10211114 size-large lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"sports apparel for laundry stripping \" width=\"912\" height=\"555\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/sports-apparel-.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><em>Share with us in the comments if you&rsquo;ve tried this laundry stripping recipe!&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"intro lead\"><a>Here&rsquo;s another way to wash sheets without bleach.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to strip laundry! Our easy 3-ingredient laundry stripping recipe is more powerful than bleach! Ever heard of laundry &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/20\/how-to-strip-laundry-try-our-laundry-stripping-recipe-its-better-than-bleach\/\" class=\"more-link\"><span class=\"more-button\">Continue Reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to Strip Laundry + Try Our Laundry Stripping Recipe (It\u2019s Better Than Bleach!)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1620,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crafts-diy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1617"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1677,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1617\/revisions\/1677"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}