CLOTHES IN THE WASHING MACHINE YES, BUT NOT WITH FINE SALT: PUT A HANDFUL OF COARSE SALT

 

🧺 Clothes in the Washing Machine? Yes — But Skip the Fine Salt! Here’s Why You Should Use a Handful of Coarse Salt Instead

When it comes to keeping clothes fresh, vibrant, and long-lasting, many of us rely on commercial detergents, fabric softeners, or stain removers. But what if a humble, inexpensive ingredient sitting in your kitchen pantry could give your laundry an upgrade?

It turns out, coarse salt — not fine table salt — has long been used as a natural laundry booster, especially in traditional cleaning methods passed down from previous generations.

If you’ve been tossing a spoonful of fine salt into your wash, you might want to stop. Here’s why coarse salt is the better choice, and how a simple handful can make a big difference.

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🧂 Why Not Fine Salt?

Fine table salt may dissolve quickly and seem more convenient, but it has a few drawbacks in laundry use:

• It often contains anti-caking agents and additives that don’t benefit your fabrics.

• It dissolves too fast, reducing its scrubbing and mineral-absorbing power.

• It can sometimes leave residue on dark clothes or synthetic fabrics.

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🧊 Why Coarse Salt Works Better

Coarse salt, on the other hand, offers several laundry-friendly benefits:

✅ Natural Fabric Softener – Helps reduce stiffness and residue buildup, especially in hard water areas.
✅ Color Fixative – Locks in colors and prevents new clothes from fading or bleeding in the wash.
✅ Deodorizer – Neutralizes unpleasant odors in gym clothes, towels, or musty fabrics.
✅ Mineral Absorber – Helps pull out detergent and hard water minerals trapped in the fabric.
✅ Mild Abrasive Action – Assists in removing stubborn grime without damaging fibers.

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👚 How to Use Coarse Salt in Your Washing Machine

You’ll Need:

• 1–2 tablespoons of coarse salt (per load)

• Optional: A few drops of essential oil for fragrance

Steps:

1. Add the coarse salt directly into the drum of your washing machine before loading your clothes.

2. Load your laundry and run your regular wash cycle with detergent as usual.

3. That’s it! No extra steps — the salt works silently to soften water, preserve color, and freshen fabrics.

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🧼 When to Use It

• New clothes (especially bright colors): Helps prevent color bleeding.

• Towels & gym wear: Removes odor and buildup.

• Hard water areas: Combats mineral deposits that dull fabrics.

• Natural fabrics (cotton, linen): Keeps them soft and vibrant.

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⚠️ A Few Notes

• Don’t overuse salt — a little goes a long way.

• Avoid using salt on delicate fabrics like silk or wool.

• Not a substitute for detergent, but a powerful enhancer.

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🌿 Final Thoughts

Adding a handful of coarse salt to your laundry may sound like an old-fashioned trick — and that’s because it is! But like many time-tested home remedies, it actually works. This simple habit can boost your laundry results, protect your fabrics, and even save money on extra products.

So next time you're about to toss clothes in the wash, skip the fine salt and reach for the coarse kind instead. Your laundry — and your wallet — will thank you.