How to Wash Clothes with Table Salt

Washing clothes with table salt is a household practice that is becoming increasingly popular among people looking for straightforward ways to care for their garments. By adding a small amount of sodium chloride to the wash, it can enhance the action of detergent and help protect fabrics, particularly dark and coloured clothing, as a supplementary aid alongside conventional laundry products.

Why can washing clothes with salt be beneficial?

Salt interacts with textile fibres and dyes, helping to limit fading and reduce colour transfer into the water, particularly with dark or brightly coloured items. As a result, T-shirts, trousers and towels may retain their intensity for longer during their first few washes.

In certain cases, using salt in moderation can also leave garments feeling more pleasant to the touch, acting as an addition to fabric conditioner in simple washes. It may also help remove light sweat residue and surface dirt, contributing to a more even-looking fabric.

How to wash clothes with salt at home, step by step

To try using salt in the laundry, simply follow a few basic steps and do not overuse it. Ordinary refined table salt should be used in a small quantity, always alongside your usual detergent or soap, without significantly changing your normal machine-washing or hand-washing routine.

1. Sort the items: Separate garments by colour and fabric type, as recommended for every wash.
2. Measure the salt: For general washes, around 1 tablespoon of salt is commonly used for a medium load. Add it directly to the detergent drawer or into the drum.
3. Choose the wash cycle: Select the programme suitable for the fabric, prioritising dark and coloured garments, which are the main candidates for this method.
4. Rinse: Keep the machine’s normal rinse cycle so that both the salt and detergent are fully removed.
5. Dry: Dry in the shade whenever possible, especially fabrics that fade easily.

For hand washing, salt can be dissolved in cold water with the soap beforehand. This allows gentler care for delicate items, including underwear, fine cotton T-shirts and lightweight fabrics in general.

How to use salt for stains and to preserve colours

Beyond routine washing, many people use salt in a more targeted way to support colour retention and address small stains. In these situations, it is essential to consider the ratio of water to salt and the length of time it remains in contact with the fabric, preventing residue while achieving a good result.

When used in pre-treatments or specific preparations, salt can be incorporated into everyday laundry in several ways:

• Set colours in newly bought items: Soaking new coloured garments in cold water with a few tablespoons of salt for several hours before their first wash may reduce pigment loss.
• Support dark clothing: Adding a little salt during the first washes of black or navy-blue garments helps reduce the faded, whitish appearance that can develop over time.
• Treat isolated stains: Making a paste with salt and a small amount of water, then applying it to fresh sweat marks or water-based food splashes before washing, may improve removal.

When is washing clothes with salt not recommended?

Salt is not suitable in every situation, especially for highly delicate fabrics, dry-clean-only garments or clothing with sensitive embellishments, such as metallic embroidery and rhinestones. In these cases, following the care-label instructions remains the safest way to preserve the item.

It is also important to avoid excessive salt in frequent washes, as larger quantities do not increase the benefits and may lead to residue building up in the machine, requiring more regular cleaning. Using salt moderately and alternating it with conventional washes is generally a more balanced approach to keeping clothes in good condition, with stable colours and a pleasant feel for longer.