Closing out month seven of a global pandemic and I found myself itching for another high. I had already ticked off most of the quarantine checkboxes: Tiger King, banana bread, getting in shape followed by getting back out of shape x2. We painted a room, we decluttered a space, there was even that one night I downloaded TikTok and tried to learn a dance. But alas, the itch needed a scratch.
The answer: we are gross.
What do you need and how much?
- 1/4 cup Calgon water softener
- 1/4 cup Arm and Hammer washing soda (this is not your run of the mill baking soda, although if you’re in a pinch you can substitute)
- 1 generous scoop of powdered Tide (must be powdered).
- 1/4 cup Borax
Some of these ingredients can be hard to find, but I promise you, several trips around town to dozens of different grocery stores and a few Amazon orders to procure the goods will be worth it. Don’t cut corners.
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What exactly am I supposed to strip?
Sheets, towels, workout clothes, kitchen dish towels. Any item that gets a lot of wear is perfect. I did my queen-sized comforter, but it’s important to keep in mind that whatever you choose for the process has to fit in the washing machine after its soak.
How To:
Some tips from a laundry stripping addict:
Keep whites and colors separate. Use a large kitchen spoon or a broom handle to stir the clothes, the hot water and cleansers can hurt sensitive skin. Use a storage tub (not a laundry basket) to transfer your stripped goods from the tub to the washing machine, you’ll avoid dripping water through your house this way.