You’re most likely here to figure out: Does salt stop colours from running in wash, or in a washing cycle and you might be thinking how can salt be incorporated into my washing machine safely and most importantly, properly so that it doesn’t damage any clothes.
Well, now that you’re here, let’s go through this and find out!
Why Do Colours Run?
Before we get into how to use salt in your washing machine, it’s important to understand WHY colours run in the first place. In simple terms, when clothes are washed in a washing machine using hot water, the dye from the fabric can start to bleed out and mix with other clothing items in the wash. As a result, you might end up with a few items of clothing that are discolored or have lost their vibrancy.
Temperature is a huge factor to consider if you have clothing that is prone for the colour to run, you should always check the label in these situations but if there is none, your safest option is to keep the wash on a 30c (86f) to avoid heating the fabric too much and melting the dye on the garment.
How To Prevent Colors From Running or Fading Over Time?
Over the course of a piece of clothing’s life, it will probably go through many washes, the trick to keeping the vibrance of the colouring is to properly take care of the clothing. Washing your clothes inside out will help preserve the outside layer of the fabric and prevent it from coming into contact with other garments and other materials that might cause it to fade.
Another thing you can do is soak your clothes in vinegar and water for about 30 minutes before washing them, this will help set the colour in the fabric and prevent it from running when you do eventually wash it. You can also add a cup of vinegar to your washing machine along with your regular detergent to help set the colour in your clothes.
White (pickling or cleaning) vinegar is a very good additive to your washer, it kills bacteria, washes the drum and also prevents colour transfer as mentioned, a small amount, perhaps 100ml is enough for a full load.
Colour catches are very common to prevent clothes from running, however, it doesn’t stop the colours from running in the first place, it simply protects other clothes from catching the colour that the culprit piece of clothing is shedding.
Does Salt Stop Colours From Mixing Onto Other Clothes?
This brings us onto salt! So, does salt stop colours running in the wash? The answer is yes, but there’s a little bit more to it than just throwing a handful of salt into your washing machine.
The type of salt you’ll need to use is called “epsom salt” and can be found at most pharmacies or grocery stores, this salt is usually the same type of salt that you throw into a relaxing batch tub. You’ll only need about half a cup of salt for each washing load and you can add it directly into the washing machine along with your clothes.
Benefits Of Using Epsom Salts In Your Washing?
Not only does salt help to prevent colours from running, but it also helps to keep the colours vibrant and bright. Over time, fabrics can start to look dull and faded, but adding epsom salt to your washing machine will help keep them looking new for longer.
Another benefit of using epsom salt in your washing machine is that it helps to kill bacteria and freshen up your clothes. If you have any smelly or musty clothing items, adding epsom salt to the wash will help to get rid of any bad odors.
You can pair epsom salt with some vinegar for an even better cleaning experience. Simply add half a cup of epsom salt and half a cup of vinegar to your washing machine along with your clothes and detergent. The combination of salt and vinegar will help to brighten up your clothes and get rid of any lingering odors as well as cleanse your washer at the same time.
Did you know, Epsom salt is such an amazing natural material that theres even an “Epsom Salt Council” that provide all sorts of information about this salt, check them out.
Conclusion
Be sure to use epsom salts and not normal table salt if you want to try this out, you can even experiment with different scents of epsom salts that are available, such as lavender or lemon.
So, does salt stop colours running in the wash? Yes, it does! Adding epsom salt to your washing machine will help to keep colours from running and fading over time. It’s a simple and easy way to prolong the life of your clothes and keep them looking their best.
Adding white vinegar also helps the entire process, not to mention makes everything clean. You can also choose to soak your piece of clothing in white vinegar prior to washing it, this also does a great job at preventing colour runs.