How to boil laundry properly and why you should do it now: grandma's life hack

Boiling laundry is an old and proven way to make things clean and fresh. Before the advent of washing machines, this method was used to make things sterile. Today, boiling laundry is not as popular as it was just a few decades ago. But does it make sense to do it now?

People used to boil their laundry to remove stains, odours and bacteria from the fabric. Nowadays, there are special detergents for this purpose. In addition, most clothes used to be made of natural fabrics, so boiling things was the main method of washing in those days.

Read also: How to wash kitchen towels properly

Boiling laundry should be done with the addition of special agents such as ash, soda, soap, bleach, etc. With the help of these substances, bacteria and dirt are removed through oxidation and chemical reactions. In addition, ash and soda increased the pH of the water, which also removed bacteria.

The high-temperature treatment produces disinfected clothes, which helps to avoid diseases and unpleasant odours.

Does it make sense to boil laundry in the modern world?

Nowadays, thanks to washing machines and detergents, boiling laundry is no longer a necessary process for cleaning and disinfecting fabrics. However, even today, some people still use this method.

For example, if you have dirt stains on your laundry after washing, if your clothes are fading, or if you need to disinfect them, boiling can be used as an additional way to clean and disinfect them.

But keep in mind that boiling can be harmful to some fabrics, especially coloured laundry. It may lose its colour or damage the fabric structure. First check that the fabric is suitable for this process and follow the care instructions on the garment.

You should also occasionally boil children's, medical or hygiene items, as well as towels, linen and bedding, as the washing machine may remove dirt but leaves behind bacteria.

Experts advise boiling the laundry:

• when disinfecting the patient's belongings;
• to remove stains from clothes - fat, blood, wine, etc;
• to whiten and make the laundry fresh;
• to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

Read also: Do this procedure once a month for your washing machine to wash your clothes perfectly

How to boil laundry properly?

First, make sure that your laundry is suitable for boiling and follow the recommendations:

1. Pour water into a large saucepan and add baking soda, laundry soap, powder, ammonia and peroxide or chlorine. You only need 1-2 tbsp of the product for 4-5 litres of water;
2. Put a large saucepan on the fire and bring the water to a boil;
3. Place the laundry in it and stir;
4. Boil the laundry for 30-60 minutes;
5. Then take the clothes out and let them cool;
6. Rinse the laundry under running water to get rid of any residual chemicals;
7. Hang up the laundry and dry it, but not in direct sunlight to avoid damaging the fabric.

Earlier, we wrote about the washing machine mode that is best not to use so that things do not remain dirty after washing, as well as what to do after washing to prevent mould and bad smells from appearing in the washing machine.

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