Why do I add 3 tablespoons of sugar to my laundry? It keeps my clothes looking brand-new
Clothes inevitably lose their color and can start to fade over time. This may be natural, but that doesn't mean we need to accept it. The good news is, that there's a simple and effective way to recapture the original vibrancy of your clothes.
1:48 PM EST, November 6, 2023
If your clothes have started to look dull and lack the freshness they once had, don't panic. You can restore their original brightness with one easy trick. Grandmothers have been using this proven method for years. While you can find numerous laundry detergents in stores, homemade solutions can be just as effective, if not even more so. How can you restore the color of your clothes? The answer is simpler than you'd expect: add sugar to your laundry. The results will be more incredible than you can imagine.
The Mechanism of Sugar in Laundry
Sugar doubles as a natural color revitalizer. It penetrates the fabric and combines with the dyes, preventing them from washing out. As an added bonus, it also makes the clothes softer to the touch. You can implement the use of laundry sugar every two months or more often if your clothes have substantially faded.
How Should You Use Sugar for Laundry?
There are several ways to add sugar to your laundry. The easiest method is to add three tablespoons to the powder compartment or directly into the washing machine drum. Alternatively, you can soak your clothes in water that has sugar added to it. For this, simply dissolve the sugar in a bucket of water, let your clothes soak in the mixture for a few hours, rinse them, and pop them into the washing machine for a standard wash cycle.
Other DIY Methods for Refreshing the Color of Clothes
Sugar isn't the only home ingredient you can use to refresh the color of your clothes. Other popular ones include:
- Adding vinegar to laundry: Vinegar can act as a natural bleach and helps remove detergent residue from clothes.
- Using salt for laundry: Salt helps protect clothes from fading and makes them softer.
- Soaking clothes in beer: Beer contains substances that restore color and prevent fading.
Which Method is Right for You?
The best way to refresh the color of your clothes depends on the fabric type and the degree of fading. Sugar works effectively on all types of clothing, with noticeable results from the first wash. Vinegar and salt work wonders on white and delicate fabrics, while beer is perfect for restoring vibrancy to colored clothes.
