Easy Laundry Soak to Remove Mildew for GOOD
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There is nothing worse than finishing laundry and realizing your clothes, towels, and sheets STILL have a mildew smell. Gag. The hot cycle on the washer doesn't kill it and you might be ready to throw your clothes in the trash.
WELL DON'T! This laundry soak is the only thing I've found that REALLY WORKS to get that stank out. My husband is a personal trainer who sweats all day in the Arizona summer heat -- so if anything is going to put this soak to the test, it's his clothes.
The best part? It's super easy and the products I use are non-toxic and inexpensive. I've used this soak on sheets, towels, clothes, hats, and shoes. If it's made of cloth, it's fair game!
So let's get to it.
LAUNDRY INGREDIENTS
For this soak, you're going to need two different soaps: Rockin' Green Soap and Branch Basics Oxygen Boost.
Rockin' Green Soap
I found this soap when I was desperately trying to find something to take the mildew smell out of my $100 lululemon leggings. The reviews were amazing so I went for it.
And it worked....for awhile. I found that with this soap alone, the smell would come out for 2-3 wears. After awhile it would come back and I'd have to start all over again.
Branch Basics Oxygen Boost
I'll be honest -- this sh*t is magic. The Oxygen Boost works SO WELL for everything. It was the yin to the yang that I was missing with the Rockin' Green alone. Now I use it for everything!
This powder also works as a great stain remover if needed. Sprinkle a little bit of the powder on the stain, spray it with the Branch Basics all purpose cleaner, and scrub the stain right out.
The Perfect Laundry Combo
Combining the Rockin' Green Soap and the Branch Basics Oxygen Boost made for the PERFECT combination. They pull out the smells and keep them out for good!
I recommend doing the soak first, but if you need a quick solution you can try a regular wash cycle with these two soaps together. It won't be as effective as a soak, but is perfect for something that's a little stanky but doesn't need a full treatment.
LAUNDRY STEPS
STEP 1: Fill a utility sink or your bathtub with the hottest water possible. Make sure to leave some room for your clothes to go in so it doesn't overflow.
STEP 2: Pour in 1 scoop of Branch Basics Oxygen Boost and 2 scoops of Rockin' Green Soap. Use a wooden spoon (or whatever you want, just don't use your hands) to stir the soap until it dissolves.
STEP 3: Submerge your stinky clothes, sheets, towels, dog toys, duvet covers, pillow cases...the options are limitless. Use the wooden spoon to push the clothes to the bottom of the sink. Make sure they are really submerged and squeeze out any pockets of air.
STEP 4: Let the clothes sit for at least an hour, up to overnight. The water will stay hot for quite awhile! If you have the time, I recommend 4-5 hours for a really good soak.
NOTE: The clothes will naturally rise to the top while they soak. I recommend periodically using your spoon to agitate the clothes and push them back to the bottom.
STEP 5: After the clothes are done soaking, wring them out and put them in the washing machine. Marvel at the DISGUSTING water that is left behind.
STEP 6: Wash the clothes on the hottest cycle they can handle with a non-toxic detergent (I use this one!). Add 1 more scoop of Branch Basics Oxygen Boost with your load. If your washing machine has a sanitary cycle, this is a great option for sheets and towels.
STEP 7: Dry your clothes however you would normally and give them a good satisfying whiff.
That's it!
It's super easy and truly works wonders to get smells and stains out of clothes. For clothes and towels that are REALLY stinky, you may have to soak them twice but once is usually enough!