How to Strip Laundry for a Deep Clean

Learn how to strip laundry for a deep clean that removes the oils, dirt and grime that’s trapped in the fibers!

A few years back, I discovered laundry stripping and wow did it open my eyes to how much gunk, for lack of a better word, regular washing doesn’t remove from our clothes and linens. In my home, there are a few items that get regular use and that, quite frankly, start to smell after a while, even with regular washing. You eventually get to the point that no matter how many times you wash something, it just doesn’t smell clean. At that point, it’s time to strip it!

A good way to make strip washing part of your cleaning schedule is to do it in the springtime for spring cleaning and in the fall before the holidays. This is easy for me to remember and ensures that these laundry items are getting a deep clean on a regular basis. Of course there are different methods of strip washing, or laundry stripping, but essentially all you need is a vessel of some kind big enough to fit your items, hot water and a few inexpensive ingredients. It’s really a set it and forget it type of project and it’s one that’s super rewarding at the end when you see all the dirt and grime that was removed. 

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FAQs

What is laundry stripping?

The process of stripping laundry is a deep cleaning method that utilizes a mixture of borax and other cleaning agents to aid in the removal of build up that’s trapped in the fibers of your laundry. The build up can be anything from body oils and sweat to hard water build-up and detergent residue.

How do I know if my laundry needs to be stripped?

​When your laundry starts to have a smell, even after washing, or begins to feel tacky, that may be a sign that it needs to be stripped. This is especially evident in towels, bedsheets and clothes that get soiled often or that you sweat in frequently.

What items can I strip?

I really love this method of cleaning especially for bed linens and towels, but it’s also great for gym clothes, kids play clothes and I’ve even done this with my husbands old hats! It works best for items that can withstand being washed in high temperatures and not drastically shrink in the process. To be on the safe side, make sure you check the tags on your clothes and other items before using this method of cleaning.

What laundry items shouldn’t I put through the stripping process?

You may want to be careful with delicate items like lace or items that will shrink dramatically if washed in hot water. Additionally, you want to be careful when it comes to colored items, especially reds, blues and purples, because they can and will probably bleed. I also recommend stripping like colored items with liked colored items and whites separately. I also like to strip like items with like items, just as I would do in my regular laundry routine, because they’ll go through a normal wash and dry cycle after they’re done soaking.

How often should I strip my laundry?

I recommend stripping your laundry 1-2 times a year or as needed.  As I mentioned earlier, my kitchen towels and workout clothes pull double duty, so I tend to strip them maybe 3 times a year or as I see fit. You do want to be careful not to overdue it because this is an aggressive cleaning method that can break clothes down quicker the more often you do it.

Do I have to use borax to strip laundry?

You do not have to use borax and instead can use distilled white vinegar in place of the borax or use OxiClean powder in place of the borax and washing soda.

How do I avoid excess build up on my laundry once they’ve been deep cleaned and stripped?

For some laundry items, it may be hard to avoid certain build up like sweat and oils, but you can help to prevent other types of build up by changing up your laundry routine a bit. First, use only the recommended amount of laundry detergent and laundry softener. You can also switch to a more natural alternative to fabric softener like vinegar which won’t leave behind any residue. Second, avoid overusing dryer sheets, as they can leave a residue on laundry, and instead switch to something like wool dryer balls. They’re a great natural alternative and work really well at preventing static. Third, add ingredients like borax and washing soda to your regular loads of laundry to help you detergent work more effectively at removing dirt and grime.

What ingredients do I need to strip laundry?

Borax: Borax helps boost the effectiveness of laundry detergent and works to remove stains, make whites whiter and helps absorb dirt.

Washing Soda: Washing soda softens water, which then allows detergent and soaps to more easily penetrate fabric to remove dirt and built-up residue.

Baking Soda: Baking soda helps to remove odors and lift stains from your laundry.

Dish Soap: I like to use Dawn dish soap because it helps remove oils and stains. You could also use homemade laundry detergent or regular detergent.

HOW TO STRIP LAUNDRY FOR A DEEP CLEAN

Tools You May Need:

• Measuring cup
• Wooden spoon (optional)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of borax
• 1/2 cup of washing soda
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent

Directions

Fill a clean bathtub or large sink with the hottest water you can.

Sprinkle in the borax, washing soda, baking soda and dish soap, then give it a mix with the wooden spoon.

Add the clean laundry items you wish to strip to the water and make sure they’re fully submerged.

Soak the items for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Drain the dirty water and repeat the process until the water runs clear.

Wring out the laundry then place the stripped items in your washing machine and put them through a regular wash cycle, then dry as normal.

Notes

• For best results, I recommend soaking the items for 6+ hours, but if you’re short for time, allow them to soak at least until the water has cooled.
• For smaller items like hats, you can use a large bucket.
• To save a step, you can strip laundry in your washing machine. Once you’re ready to wash, simply do a spin cycle to drain the water and then wash as you normally would.
• When you go to wash your items, you can either use laundry detergent as normal or skip that step since everything was soaked in detergent already.

Continue to Content

How to Strip Laundry

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Learn how to strip laundry for a deep clean that removes the oils, dirt and grime that's trapped in the fibers!

Print

Materials

• 1/2 cup of borax
• 1/2 cup of washing soda
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent

Tools

• Measuring cup
• Wooden spoon (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a clean bathtub or large sink with the hottest water you can.
2. Sprinkle in the borax, washing soda, baking soda and dish soap, then give it a mix with the wooden spoon.
3. Add the clean laundry items you wish to strip to the water and make sure they're fully submerged.
4. Soak the items for 4-6 hours or overnight.
5. Drain the dirty water and repeat the process until the water runs clear.
6. Wring out the laundry then place the stripped items in your washing machine and put them through a regular wash cycle, then dry as normal.
7. Wring out the laundry then place the stripped items in your washing machine and put them through a regular wash cycle, then dry as normal.

Notes

• For best results, I recommend soaking the items for 6+ hours, but if you're short for time, allow them to soak at least until the water has cooled.

• For smaller items like hats, you can use a large bucket.
• To save a step, you can strip laundry in your washing machine. Once you're ready to wash, simply do a spin cycle to drain the water and then wash as you normally would.
• When you go to wash your items, you can either use laundry detergent as normal or skip that step since everything was soaked in detergent already.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Looking for more natural cleaning ideas?

Looking for more natural cleaning ideas like this? Check these out:

• How to Make DIY Fabric Refresher Spray
• Easy DIY Laminate Floor Cleaner
• DIY Grout Cleaner
• All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

I want to see your results for this strip wash method. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me how much gunk was removed from your laundry!