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Grandma’s Salt Trick for the Washing Machine: What Happens to Your Clothes

Using salt in your washing machine is an old-fashioned but surprisingly effective trick that many grandmothers swear by. Salt, a common household item, has been used for generations in various cleaning and laundry hacks. When added to your laundry detergent, it can have a range of benefits for your clothes, from boosting detergent performance to preserving colors. Here’s what happens when you add salt to your washing machine, and why it works so well!

1. Enhances Cleaning Power

Salt acts as a natural abrasive and can help break down tough stains. When added to your washing machine, it works in conjunction with your detergent to boost its cleaning power. The granules of salt can help scrub away dirt and grime, especially on stubborn stains like food or mud, helping to give your clothes a deeper clean.

How it works: Salt helps break down grease, oils, and other residues that may be on your clothes, allowing the detergent to work more effectively.

2. Prevents Fabric Color Fading

One of the most beloved benefits of salt is its ability to help preserve fabric colors, particularly when washing dark clothes. Salt helps lock in colors, preventing the dyes from leaching out too quickly. This is particularly helpful for new clothes or darker fabrics that tend to fade after several washes.

How it works: Salt acts as a color fixative, which can help reduce the fading of dyes in clothes, especially on dark or vibrant colors.

3. Softens Clothes Naturally

Salt can help soften clothes without the need for expensive fabric softeners. When you add salt to your wash, it softens the fibers, making your clothes feel softer to the touch after drying.

How it works: Salt can help break down mineral buildup in the water (especially in areas with hard water), which can leave clothes feeling stiff and scratchy. This is a great natural alternative to fabric softeners.

4. Helps Remove Odors

Salt can also act as a natural deodorizer for your laundry. It helps neutralize odors, removing unwanted smells from fabrics such as sweaty gym clothes, towels, or musty items.

How it works: Salt helps absorb odors trapped in the fabric and neutralizes them, leaving your clothes smelling fresher. It’s especially useful for things like gym clothes, towels, and bedding.

5. Tackles Stubborn Stains

Salt can be effective in removing stubborn stains, especially when combined with other ingredients like vinegar or baking soda. The abrasiveness of salt helps lift stains without damaging the fabric.

How it works: Salt can help break down protein-based stains like sweat, blood, or food spills. It works well for a pre-treatment on stains before washing.