How to Boil Laundry With Washing Soda

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Things You'll Need

  • Large pot

  • Washing soda

  • Metal spoon

Boiling laundry with washing soda can help remove stains.

Before washing machines were invented, people washed their laundry by hand. Boiling laundry was the common method used for washing items that needed heavy disinfection, were hard to clean or had tough stains. Many people still boil their laundry for these reasons. Knowing how to boil your laundry with washing soda can help you save your laundry, when more modern cleaning methods fail.

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Step 1

Fill a large pot 1/2 to 3/4 of the way with water. Put the pot on the stove over medium heat.

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Step 2

Add 2 tbsp. of washing soda for every gallon of water that is in your pot. Stir the washing soda into the water with a large metal spoon. Keep stirring periodically, until the washing soda has dissolved into water.

Step 3

Bring the contents of your pot to a boil. Submerge the laundry that you are washing into the pot. Do not stuff your pot. The laundry should have room to be moved and stirred easily.

Step 4

Let your laundry simmer over medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and allow the laundry to soak in the pot, until the water has cooled.

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Step 5

Remove your laundry from the pot. Wash your laundry as normal. Before drying, check to see if the stains or heavy soiling is gone. If the laundry is still stained or soiled, repeat the boiling and washing process.

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