GROSS but SATISFYING laundry stripping | How and why you should strip your laundry

[@rachelmcfeters1028]

Haven’t stripped anything in a while because I ran out of washing soda. But I used to do my sheets religiously! My husband and I have oily skin. It helps keep the grease buildup to a minimum.

[@ThatAussieMum]

Haven't done sheets yet, that's next on my list!

[@bebetigre1252]

use ammonia.

[@pennyrobinson4266]

I haven’t stripped colors but I love stripping whites. Dingy whites come out so bright and clean. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@cl4re4d4ms]

Don’t use fabric softener on towels, use white vinegar instead (or nothing).

[@ThatAussieMum]

This seems to be common practice... I'm going to have to try this.

[@sancraft1]

Don't use fabric softener on anything. It destroys your clothes and makes your towels less absorbant. Use white vinegar on all the laundry.

[@jenniferr2057]

Makes all the difference on your clothes and your skin! Allergies-be gone!

[@Getlazy7056]

@@donnawood3059 yes, my mum didn't use fabric softener, instead white vinegar. She said it would make clothes / fabrics stored too long begin to smell. I noticed this with certain linens not used for a time . Also she didn't use bleach and all of our clothes were always bright white or more vibrant. To the point I had a very delicate cream blouse I just adored but over time, that too went a crisp white, it was a standing joke for a while there😂💞

[@marymccowan6629]

I agree I use vinger or nothing the towels absrb better it seems the softner blocks the water from being absorbed.

[@tyrabanksmoney4541]

i'm sure the water had some build up in it from soap, skin oils etc.. but mostly it looked like dye from the towels.

[@ThatAussieMum]

You know, I think you're right...I might need to remake this video using only whites to see what happens. I did do another video stripping a white pillow and the water does visibly go yellow...so I still think there is some merit in stripping laundry every now and then.

[@clairewright8153]

I agree but going to try this with my white sheets

[@ThatAussieMum]

Let me know how it goes please? I am thinking if doing this again with only whites.

[@lfuentes4098]

I was thinking you might lift the towel up like you did in the before to see if the stains went away. 😉 One recommendation though, is not to use fabric softener on towels. I was given this advice at a specialty store. They told me the softener doesn’t let the terry cloth absorb as much water. I’ve heard that using white vinegar will act like a softener so maybe that could be a good alternative.

[@cmeflywva]

If you strip "clean" towels and sheets you will still see dirty water. It's amusing to see this "fad" become popular since I learned how to do this as a child and I'm 55.

[@lenivec]

There is really no need of stripping your laundry but just washing the right way from the start. Why "wash" everything in cold with liquid detergent on the short cycle and plenty of fabric softener and than stripping your never properly washed laundry when you can use a good powder detergent and run your frontloader on 60°C or even 90°C for whites and wash the right way every single time. Just my point of view 😉

[@ThatAussieMum]

Thanks for sharing ☺

[@suzanneriding3237]

Yes! This is great advice. I do worry about my sheets though... I can't wash them in this way since they are a delicate cotton-silk blend and they would fall apart too quickly. So I plan to try stripping them! I'm going to add 1 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda to the water first to create a buffer solution that should maintain an optimal pH level thus helping to preserve the delicate fibers. This is an article that helps to explain why the buffer solution is helpful when cleaning soft surfaces: cleanfax.com/carpet-care/the-role-of-ph-in-cleaning/

[@ThatAussieMum]

I just did a video doing pillows with vinegar and baking soda... Worked a treat.

[@suzanneriding3237]

@@ThatAussieMum Lovely! I'll watch it before I run to the store. Thanks!

[@girlfromoz712]

Yay! Finally, someone who washes correctly. I shudder when people say they wash everything on a cold, quick wash. Ain’t nothing getting cleaned in that.

[@butterflyqueen9260]

Instead of fabric softener for towels I use vinegar

[@Edelwiess1066]

Never done it before but this gave me the confidence to try it! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@carolkline2368]

because I was trying to save electric, I don't use both machines at the same time, I put the next load in to soak while the first is drying, and it makes it easy to do this.

[@stephaniehowe0973]

Listening but I already use Borax periodically. Also baking soda. Occasionally White Vinager

[@lykri3350]

WOW! I never thought that my being lazy and not splitting whites and colors can make my whites dinjy. I am lazy, too. I wash in cold so I thought that was the trick to being able to mix laundry. I never stripped it. I just learned about it a few months ago. Haven't done it yet.

[@leannewith3]

That greasy feeling you describe is from the fabric softener. It builds up on the towels. I don’t use it on anything anymore. I have been stripping laundry for another 6 months and I find the sheets are the most shocking.

[@ThatAussieMum]

I will be doing pillows soon... I think they'll be pretty gross too.

[@narelleworks8448]

Cleaning vinegar is a better rinse aid. It removes soap rather than add a coating to your clothes or your machine. Vinegar won’t be a problem smell wise particularly when washed clothes are dried on the line. What if coating your clothes makes laundry stripping a must?

[@ThatAussieMum]

@@narelleworks8448 All good and valid points...thanks for sharing!

[@JoJoMaMa_]

How nice to have a tub/sink right there by the machines! I would love that one day. For now I use the bath tub 🧼

[@ThatAussieMum]

Yeah, most modern Aussie laundries have the tubs... love mine as my bath tub is too far away 😂

[@shirleyjaynephotography8722]

I haven't ever stripped laundry - but I have stripped my teeth (!) - clove oil and coconut oil for that😊. Will certainly be giving this a go, especially on the sheets etc. Thanks Suse!

[@ThatAussieMum]

Oooooh, I might need to try the teeth thing.

[@jonnaborosky8836]

We used Borax in every laundry load when I was a kid. I'm an old lady now.

[@ThatAussieMum]

😂 I love this comment so much

[@jonnaborosky8836]

@@ThatAussieMum Thank you.

[@gerriejennings2148]

I’m an old lady too and I still use Borax and vinegar in every load.

[@kathryncooper4001]

I tried it, but ended up with perfectly clear water -- rather sudsy, but not dirty. I make my own laundry soap, and two of the three ingredients are borax and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. No fabric softener, only dryer balls. I also tried cleaning my 40-year-old Maytag with Oxy Clean and citric acid, because I was led to believe it was probably caked with soap scum on the outside of the drum; no soap scum, dirt, or mold floating on the water at the end of the process. I have concluded that the borax and/or washing soda in my DIY laundry soap tends to release the residual dirt, oils & soap from the fabrics, just as in your stripping exercise. If you're using a commercial laundry detergent and fabric softener, I don't think you're going to get everything completely clean with standard wash practices.

[@ThatAussieMum]

This is a great tip....maybe I'll start making my own. I have been using vinegar as softener since this video so it would be an interesting experiment to see the difference it might have made.

[@2Ryled]

Oxygen is just washing soda and peroxide in water. Washing soda is a bit stronger. I need that for husb work clothes.

[@AW-gh3yv]

You should not add fabric softener to towels. It makes then less absorbent.

[@ThatAussieMum]

Good to know... Thank you.

[@sphhyn]

I never heard of stripping laundry but it sounds just like doing laundry without fabric softeners. The softener leaves grease residue in the fabric, in the machine and is very bad for the environment anyway. You dont need to do this stripping if you dont use fabric softener at all I think :)

[@ThatAussieMum]

Hmmmmm... Never thought of that before... Interesting point.

[@LacosteBlanc]

I just use oxi clean powdwer on regular wash

[@dianamorris5327]

I never use fabric softener liquid in the wash. I put a sheet in the dryer.

[@ThatAussieMum]

I've since switched to straight white vinegar....sooooo much better.

[@BeautyForAshesJoyForMourning]

Wow that water reminds me of the Mississippi River...where God must strip His clothes😆

[@ThatAussieMum]

Bahahahaha!

[@jenniferrosenthal7731]

I was just stripping our dish rags today!

[@musicguy20]

You are stripping the dye out of the fabrics. When you mix every colour you get the colour brown. That’s why it looks dirty. Every detergent has blue dye in it to make the white even whiter.

[@ginac1028]

That’s what I was thinking...is this “dirt” or is it just the colors being stripped out

[@musicguy20]

@@ginac1028 you would have to agitate the dirt out as dirt just doesn’t jump out when the cloth is wet and most dirt sinks to the bottom. Dye particles float and distribute all around the water.

[@marymccowan6629]

Not all detergent. Make sure no bluing is in it.

[@AdamScottH]

I’m new to this so this video is really helpful!! A quick question how often should I be doing this? I haven’t done this yet but I’ve been binging these types of videos to try and get as much information as I possibly can before trying this.

[@ThatAussieMum]

Hi Adam, glad I could be of service. I don't do this too often, just because our septic system is a bicycle and doesn't cope well with large amounts of cleaning products going down the drain. I guess it depends on you...I only do it when I notice it getting pretty bad.

[@AdamScottH]

That makes sense! I’ll try and do it as little as possible so I don’t do any damage to the water system here. Thank you for your reply :)

[@lisamarks6984]

New subscriber!!great video 👍👍

[@ThatAussieMum]

Thanks and welcome!

[@ludsiloo]

thanks, i cant wait to try this!

[@ThatAussieMum]

Let me know how you go!

[@LoveIsInTheHouse]

Not trying to be mean or judgmental but you should keep your washer open so it can dry out every-time you are done

[@ThatAussieMum]

Good advice...thank you 😊

[@MissouriPrepper64052]

New sub!! Plan to strip my towels this weekend ... afriad to see the color the water truns out to b lol

[@ThatAussieMum]

Welcome!

[@gettintherejanice6216]

have you texted to see what happens after you do this if you laundry is still somewhat dirty and have you considered comparing this to reticent alone in the tub. And have you considered cleaning your machine. I have to use a coin laundry and people use fabric softener and I long for the day when I can have my own machines I found a dryersheet in my laundry today it was somewhat distirbing

[@ThatAussieMum]

Many many questions 😂 ...I have not tested anything else out at this point.

[@2Ryled]

Why isn't everyone doing that in the washing machine? Now you have to wrong and drag wet clothes to the WM after. U can soak in WM too. Just turn off.

[@suzanneriding3237]

Maybe it's more satisfying to see the gunk in a washtub? I wish I could do this in the washing machine... wet towels are a workout! Unfortunately, I have a front loader machine so it's a no go for me. Pro tip: I also like to add one cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda to the water before adding the cleansing agents since they make a buffer solution that helps the cleansers work at an optimum pH. This helps to preserve any fabrics that could potentially be damaged by the stripping process. Cheers!

[@ailsamarshall5010]

Not sure you could do this in a front loader.

[@lillyc6527]

@@ailsamarshall5010 yes you can just stop the wash cicle and start it again 24 hrs is a bit much it works with 1hr. Or 30 minutes.

[@wruckfamily182]

Are these laundry boosters safe to use with our on-site water treatment system? Would any of them be harmful to the good bacteria in the system?

[@ThatAussieMum]

I think they're fine as long as you don't do it too often, like, don't do it every wash... Same as you would with bleach... In small amounts

[@rahilraza1344]

Why would u mix dark Towels with lights ? And why do people clump up the clothes when they toss them in the washer and the dryer? Thats so Irritating . Loosely adding them in the mchine is good for me especially In the dryer . Anyone agree with me?

[@justinfisher5175]

We’re this washed first to get loose stuff?

[@ThatAussieMum]

Yes, these were fresh out of the linen closet and hadn't been used since their last regular machine wash.

[@justinfisher5175]

@@ThatAussieMum isn’t that something! I need to try this

[@denniknight6049]

Have you found that it effects colours negatively at all? Thanks

[@ThatAussieMum]

Not really, no.

[@carolvolpe9410]

How many times do you have to do the stripping?

[@ThatAussieMum]

I wouldn't do it all the time...probably after several normal washes I will do it.

[@buddyholly4672]

I assume these were dirty towels? I'm curious if i did this to my clean towels.

[@ThatAussieMum]

Nope, these were clean, straight out of the linen closet.

[@lillyc6527]

Fist ,whites are supposed to be wash with whites, and darks with darks cus no matter how old they always bleed color. So blacks and brites dont go taking the extra time to sort the wash by like colors much helps For cloths to not be so bad.

[@RebelAlliance42]

Stop using fabric conditioner/softener on your towels! It attarcts dirt! And it makes them less absorbant. I use colour free, scent free laundry liquid, hot water, heavy load, and laundry sanitizer in the rinse. And always extra rinse. I tried doing this stripping method on my towels and nothing happened. My tea towels and cleaning cloths were a different story though lol! I always pop my towels in the dryer, even for just 10 minutes on medium heat, to make sure they're properly dry before folding and putting them away. But, I live in Nelson, New Zealand, where it's very muggy, I understand that in Australia it's very dry, so you probably don't have to lol

[@LoveIsInTheHouse]

I’m with you.. I never use fabric softener on my towels only vinegar.. for some reason it’s very wet here our seasonings get moisture in them even in glass jars..oh I dry my towels almost 2 times to make sure they are dry myself

[@ThatAussieMum]

I've switched to vinegar now and no softeners...makes a huge difference!

[@LoveIsInTheHouse]

@@ThatAussieMum it really does I agree!!!

[@KM-bu8ec]

Yes, and it impedes absorbency, too.

[@marymccowan6629]

How often do you just wash your towels?

[@ThatAussieMum]

At least once a week

[@shirleyclaassen2207]

Haha! I have NEVER thought of using a wooden spoon to stir up my washing mixtures!!!

[@ThatAussieMum]

😂 I know right hahaha

[@wruckfamily182]

I have long used a wooden spoon in the laundry. Something my Nana used to do.

[@ThatAussieMum]

@@wruckfamily182 see I knew it was the right tool for the job 😂

[@narelleworks8448]

@@wruckfamily182 Nanna used a copper stick made from wood. Grandad made one for her and one for my Mum. A fire under the copper to boil the water for washing. It seems that for all of our technology the basics are the best.

[@ThatAussieMum]

So cool!

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Borax is an alkaline water softener. Washing soda is also an alkaline water softener. You don’t need both. The detergent you showed already contains water softeners. The amounts of borax and washing soda you added won’t make any difference.

[@ThatAussieMum]

This is good to know... I might experiment without them next.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

@@ThatAussieMum www.huffpost.com/entry/laundry-stripping-recipe-borax_l_5f72566dc5b6e99dc3310b4a

[@charrickamoten1383]

Put tennis balls in the dryer with pillow. I use 7

[@ThatAussieMum]

Sounds like a great idea...I will have to give it a try. Thanks!

[@rachelelabbady3399]

Can you imagine doing rugs??

[@ThatAussieMum]

I know... They would be disgusting!

[@girlfromoz712]

This is a complete waste of time. I fell for the hype and my towels didn’t effect the water whatsoever. If you wash properly, you don’t need to “strip” wash. People wash everything on cold, and a quick cycle, and that’s 99% of why their clean laundry is dirty.

[@salemdesigns65]

Agreed. 👌

[@colynettecoutu5389]

I was disappointed that you added a really dark towel got all that die in your water.

[@stephaniehowe0973]

Exactly I havent seen 1 yet that is just white or Natural clothes

[@lillyc6527]

She said she is lazy so all the work she did was just a waste of time. Not putting the dark towel would of all her work actually worth it would of gotten whiter trowels.

[@clothyoriginal]

No need to strip if things are washed properly to begin with

[@bardsbabe]

You should not use fabric softener on your towels

[@ThatAussieMum]

Which is why I switched to vinegar.

[@hollyu48]

Gah I need to do this

[@ThatAussieMum]

It is so worth it!

[@rnbsteenstar]

Discostang!

[@ThatAussieMum]

😂 yup

[@marymccowan6629]

Disgusting