Laundry doesn’t need to rely solely on store-bought solutions. Some of the most effective laundry boosters are already hiding in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
From softening fabrics to tackling stubborn stains, these 15 unexpected household items can transform your laundry routine—and you’ll wonder how you ever washed without them.
1. White Vinegar
White vinegar helps break down detergent residue and dirt that can build up in your clothes. This can leave your laundry smelling fresh and feeling softer. Plus, it helps to brighten whites and colors by removing mineral deposits from hard water.
Tip: Add half a cup of white vinegar to your washing machine during the rinse cycle. It won’t make your clothes smell like vinegar; the scent will disappear as your laundry dries.
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2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is perfect for brightening whites and removing stains. It also has antibacterial properties that can help kill germs in your laundry. Plus, it adds a fresh, clean smell to your clothes.
Tip: For tough stains, squeeze some lemon juice directly on the stain before washing. You can also mix it with baking soda to make a paste for deeper cleaning.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda neutralizes acids and bases, which helps break down dirt, grime, and body oils that detergent might leave behind. It can also soften clothes naturally and boost the effectiveness of your regular detergent.
Tip: To remove strong odors like sweat or mildew, add half a cup of baking soda to your regular laundry detergent for better results.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can whiten whites, brighten colors, and kill germs. It’s especially useful for removing stubborn stains like blood, wine, or grass.
Tip: Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your wash if you’re dealing with heavy stains or want to brighten whites. You can also use it as a pre-treatment by applying it directly to the stain.
5. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt works wonders for softening water, which can help detergent work more effectively. It also helps break down detergent build-up on clothes, leaving them feeling softer.
Tip: A cup of Epsom salt to your wash load, along with your detergent, can soften fabrics and reduce any residue buildup. It can help with removing stubborn smells as well.
6. Table Salt
If you’ve ever had clothes lose their vibrancy after a few washes, salt can help keep colors looking fresh. It also works as a stain remover and can be used to treat sweat stains or rust marks.
Tip: For sweat stains, apply a tablespoon of table salt directly to the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wash as usual.
7. Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great way to add a fresh scent to your laundry. They have natural antibacterial properties that can help kill germs and bacteria on your clothes.
Some oils, like lavender or eucalyptus, can even help relax you, while others, like lemon or peppermint, add an energizing touch.
Tip: A few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball or a small cloth can give your laundry a fresh scent.
8. Laundry Detergent Sheets
These sheets work just as well as traditional detergents to clean your clothes, but they’re lightweight, compact, and dissolve easily in water without mess or plastic waste.
Tip: Simply toss one sheet into your wash load, and it will dissolve during the wash cycle. If you have a larger load, you might want to use two sheets for extra cleaning power.
9. Borax
According to Borax’s official website, Borax is a powerful mineral that acts as an enzyme stabilizer helping your detergent work more effectively, even in hard water.(ref) Borax also helps to remove tough stains, neutralize odors, and boost your laundry’s cleaning power.
Tip: Add half a cup of Borax to your laundry, especially if you have tough stains or hard water. It’s also great for freshening up smelly towels or sheets.
10. Club Soda
Club soda is an effective stain remover, especially for lifting stains like wine, grease, or ink. It works by fizzing up to lift dirt and stains from fabric. Plus, it’s gentle enough to be used on delicate fabrics.
Tip: For fresh stains, pour a little club soda directly onto the spot before washing. You can also add a cup of it to your laundry load to freshen up clothes or towels. For extra stubborn stains, let the fabric soak in club soda for a few minutes before washing.
11. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can act as a natural dye to add rich, earthy color to fabrics, like turning a light brown or beige hue into something deeper. (ref)
If you’re looking to give old fabrics a new life or create a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes, coffee grounds are the way to go. Plus, they can help absorb odors in your laundry.
Tip: To use coffee grounds for dyeing, simply brew a strong pot of coffee, and soak your fabric in it for a few hours. If you’re not dyeing, you can use coffee grounds in your laundry basket or dryer to neutralize bad odors, especially for stinky gym clothes.
12. Mouthwash
Mouthwash isn’t just for fresh breath—it can help with laundry, too. Many mouthwashes contain antibacterial agents like triclosan, which can help kill germs and bacteria on your clothes. (ref)
It’s especially useful for smelly towels, sheets, or gym clothes that might have absorbed bacteria and odors.
Tip: Add a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of mouthwash to your laundry load to freshen up fabrics and help kill germs. Be sure to use a clear mouthwash to avoid any color stains on your clothes.
13. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is often used in homemade laundry detergents and can even boost the cleaning power of your existing detergent.
Studies show that cornstarch’s oxidized form can provide similar cleaning results to regular powder detergents. (ref) It helps remove dirt and oil from fabrics and even works as a mild stain remover.
Tip: To make your laundry booster, mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to form a paste, then apply it directly to stains before washing.
14. Dish Soap
Dish soap, like the popular Dawn dish soap, is great for tackling greasy stains, especially on clothes or fabrics that have food or oil marks. It works by breaking up grease and stuck-on particles, making it easier to remove stains.
However, it’s not meant to be used as a regular detergent in your washing machine, as it creates too much foam. (ref)
Tip: Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to grease or oil stains before washing. Just be sure not to use too much, as it can create a mess of bubbles in your washing machine.
15. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can help treat stains on durable fabrics like denim but should be avoided on delicate materials such as silk, rayon, or wool, as it may cause shrinkage, discoloration, or damage.
Always test the alcohol on a hidden area of the fabric first to ensure it won’t harm the material. For most stain-removal tasks, 70% isopropyl alcohol works well. (ref)
From freshening up your clothes to tackling tough stains, these simple additions can make your laundry routine more effective, cleaner, and fresher.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.