We love a good cleaning hack, especially when it comes to laundry. Anything that makes this tedious household chore more rewarding is a win in our books.
When doing laundry, it can be easy to stick to the standard routine of detergent, softener, wash, rinse and, while perfectly fine, it often doesn’t always give you the best results possible. Lingering stains, odors, and dull colors all contribute to making laundry a little bit more taxing.
With that in mind, we consulted laundry and cleaning professionals to discover the secret laundry ingredients they swear by for a superior clean, and how to use them for perfect results every cycle.
Secret laundry Ingredients pros love
With so many cleaning tips and laundry hacks to save time floating around the internet, it can be hard to separate the winners from the time-wasters. To avoid the trial-and-error of trying every soap and pantry staple in your laundry, follow these expert-approved additives.
1. Enzyme cleaners for organic spills
If you are often left wondering ‘what is an enzyme cleaner’ you are not alone. Any cleaning product labeled ‘biological’ can be intimidating for the everyday homeowner.
However, this simple laundry addition can be a great way to remove organic stains, such as those caused by food, blood, and sweat, explains Matt O’Connor, co-founder and CEO at NoScrubs.io. A golden rule for stain removal is to always include this when setting up a stain station.
‘Look for cleaners with protease enzymes and pre-treat stains by soaking the item in a basin of water mixed with enzyme cleaner (mixed according to the manufacturer instructions) for at least an hour before washing normally,’ Matt recommends.
2. Oxygen Bleach for brightening
We are probably all aware of using bleach in laundry, but have you tried oxygen bleach?
Oxygen bleach, such as MollySuds Oxygen Whitener from Walmart, is a fine white powder made from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide and is specially formulated to help get dingy whites white again and bolster colors without the harshness and risks associated with traditional chlorine bleach.
Prerna Jain, operations manager at the Ministry of Cleaning says, ‘Use one scoop per load for best results.'
You can also use oxygen bleach to soak white clothing and linens before washing to help remove stains. Dissolve one scoop of oxygen bleach in a basin of warm water and submerge the item, allowing it to soak for at least one hour before rinsing out and washing as normal.
4. TAED for boosting oxygen bleach
This is certainly not an ingredient we have ever heard of, but Marilee Nelson, laundry expert and co-founder of Branch Basics swears by it for brightening laundry.
'Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) acts as a bleach activator that significantly enhances the stain removal and deodorizing powers of sodium percarbonate [oxygen bleach],' she explains. 'It catalyzes the reaction between sodium percarbonate and soil particles, enabling effective low-temperature brightening, deodorizing, bleaching, and cleaning.
'This not only saves energy, but also helps preserve fabric integrity and color. Incorporating TAED with sodium percarbonate amplifies its effectiveness, making it an excellent addition to your laundry formula.'
5. White vinegar for softening fibers
It would be a stretch to call using white vinegar in laundry a secret at this point, but it is a washing ‘powerhouse’ nonetheless says Matt O’Connor, laundry expert and is a worthy contender on our list.
‘This powerful pantry stable tackles odors, softens fabrics, and brightens colors. Simply add 1/2 cup to your rinse cycle. It's especially great to wash towels with vinegar to help make towels soft again. It is also perfect for removing odors from gym clothes.’
5. Borax for boosting detergent
Using laundry detergent on its own is fine, but if you want a little extra cleaning power, consider combining it with borax.
Matt O’Connor, laundry expert says, ‘Borax is a natural mineral that boosts detergent effectiveness, whitens and deodorizes. Simply use 1/2 cup per load.
‘It's also a killer for hard water issues,’ he adds. Borax is revered for its ability to get rid of hard water stains when cleaning a house and has a similar effect on your clothing. The borax tackles the minerals in hard water areas, allowing your detergent the chance to foam up and thoroughly clean your clothes.
6. Baking soda to remove odor
Consider using baking soda in laundry. Perfect for green-cleaning enthusiasts, baking soda enhances detergent performance and removes tough stains while simultaneously making laundry smell better, says Prerna Jain, operations manager. ‘Simply use half a cup in the wash cycle.’
You can also use baking soda to make a DIY washing machine cleaner to freshen up your appliance between washes for superior laundry results.
ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda is free of harsh chemicals and gentle enough to use on many surfaces. You can add it to laundry, cook with it, clean surfaces and carpet stains with it as well as deodorize mattresses, fridges and couches with it.
7. Castile soap for treating stains
Using dish soap to clean clothes is generally not recommended, but it can be a great last-minute solution when hand-washing clothes. For the best results, try Castille soap – a chemical-free, natural soap that you dilute with water. Being natural, Castille soap is a good stain-removing alternative to enzymes if you have sensitive skin.
To treat fabric stains, soak the area with warm water before rubbing a small amount of Castille soap into the stain. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing and washing as normal.
This is three times more concentrated than most liquid soaps. Dilute and use for mopping, laundry, and household cleaning.
8. Essential oils for fresh fragrance
If you are someone who likes to personalize the scent of your clothes and linens, consider using essential oils in laundry. Making laundry detergent with essential oils or adding them to wool dryer balls is a great way to add a fresh scent to your clean laundry without the need for synthetic fragrances.
A small bottle will go far as you only need 10-20 drops to make a cleaning solution (just mix with water and add a drop of dish soap for an all-purpose surface cleaner).
It is worth noting that before you experiment with any laundry additives, it is best to test them on small, inconspicuous areas of your clothes and linens to avoid any irreversible laundry mistakes.
