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You’re ready to tackle that pile of laundry, only to find the detergent bottle empty. Don’t worry—your clothes aren’t doomed. While you might not have Tide or All on hand, everyday household items can come to the rescue. These alternatives may not tackle tough stains as effectively, but they’ll eliminate odors and bacteria, and some might even leave your garments smelling delightful.
Baking soda. This versatile household staple is a jack-of-all-trades, from putting out grease fires to speeding up the browning of ground beef. It also doubles as a reliable substitute for laundry detergent. Essential Home and Garden notes that baking soda is excellent at breaking down acids, oils, and odors on various fabrics, and it’s perfectly safe for washing machines. For a touch of luxury, mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil to infuse your laundry with a pleasant fragrance.
Lemon juice. If life hands you lemons, why not use them to freshen up your laundry? Simply mix 1/3 cup of lemon juice with 3 cups of water and pour it into your washing machine during the wash cycle. Lemon juice works wonders for loosening stains and brightening white fabrics. Important: Avoid using artificial lemon juice, as it often contains food coloring that could leave your clothes worse off than before.
Vinegar. Vinegar is a powerful solution for refreshing your clothes; its acidic nature helps remove stubborn stains and odors without leaving any residue. It’s safe for washing machines since it doesn’t produce suds. However, only white vinegar should be used, as darker varieties can instantly stain your fabrics.
Dish soap. Dish soap can effectively clean your clothes, but it requires extra effort. Due to its high sudsing potential, it’s not ideal for washing machines and is better suited for handwashing. Add a small amount to warm water, scrub your garments gently, and rinse thoroughly. It works best on soft materials like cotton, as it lacks the acidity needed for tougher fabrics.
Hydrogen peroxide. This common first-aid item is also a laundry lifesaver. The Spruce notes, “the 3% solution available in drugstores is ideal for laundry, as it’s safe for all washable, colorfast fabrics.” It’s excellent for removing stains and neutralizing odors, making it perfect for freshening up musty towels or damp, smelly socks.
Shampoo/body wash. Similar to dish soap, shampoo or body wash can clean clothes in emergencies and leave them smelling pleasant. However, it’s not effective for stain removal. Avoid using it in washing machines, as it creates excessive suds. Instead, handwash your clothes in a sink if you choose this method.
Vodka. This alternative not only freshens clothes but also brings back nostalgic memories of creative college solutions. The List suggests spraying undiluted vodka onto garments to reduce odors. While it won’t remove dirt or stains, it’s a quick fix for freshening up clothes. Stick to unflavored vodka to avoid introducing new stains.
