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1. Choose the Right Type of Salt
Opt for coarse sea salt or rock salt. These salts are more effective than regular table salt due to their larger grains and lack of additives, which could interfere with the process.
2. Add Salt to the Drum
For a regular-sized load, add ½ cup of salt directly into the drum of your washing machine. For particularly tough stains or hard water, you can increase the amount to 1 cup.
3. Run a Maintenance Wash
Every month or so, run an empty wash cycle with just salt and hot water. This will help clean the inside of your washing machine, remove limescale buildup, and eliminate any lingering odors. It’s a great way to maintain your appliance’s performance.
4. Combine with Detergent
You can also add salt alongside your regular detergent in each wash. This will boost the cleaning power of the detergent and help keep your clothes vibrant and fresh.
Precautions and Considerations
While salt can do wonders for your washing machine and laundry, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
Frequency: You don’t need to use salt in every wash. A maintenance wash once a month or adding it to particularly tough loads should be enough.
Compatibility: Always check your washing machine’s manual or consult the manufacturer to ensure that adding salt won’t void your warranty or damage certain parts of the machine.
Type of Clothes: Be cautious when washing delicate fabrics or clothes with embellishments. The abrasive nature of salt could cause damage to these garments, so use it only on sturdier items.
Conclusion
Adding salt to your washing machine is a simple and cost-effective way to improve your laundry results and maintain your appliance’s efficiency. It helps soften hard water, remove stains, prevent limescale, and boost detergent performance—all while neutralizing odors. By incorporating salt into your routine, you can extend the life of your washing machine and keep your clothes looking fresh and clean. Try it out and experience the difference for yourself!
