Washing clothes with black pepper is a simple laundry tip but brings many unexpected effects.
Keeping clothes durable and colorfast is something that everyone cares about. Among many traditional laundry tips, a method that many people are sharing is washing clothes with a handful of black pepper. It sounds strange, but black pepper has a very surprising effect in helping clothes stay bright and durable.
Fading is a phenomenon when the color pigments in the fabric are washed away during the washing process, especially when using detergents with strong bleach or washing at high temperatures. In addition, the friction between the fabric fibers during the washing process also causes the color to gradually wear away over time. For dark clothes or sensitive materials such as cotton, wool, and hand-dyed fabrics, fading becomes even more serious.
When you wash clothes, soaps and detergents often leave behind a layer of residue on the surface of the fabric. This residue causes colors to fade, and over time, it builds up over time, making clothes look old and fade faster. Black pepper acts as a natural bleach that helps remove this residue without damaging the fabric.
The natural antioxidants found in black pepper not only help prevent fading, but also have the ability to remove soap scum and chemicals that remain on fabrics after washing, which can cause them to fade.
In addition, the antioxidants in black pepper also protect the color of fabric fibers, helping to minimize color oxidation - the main cause of fading.
Black pepper, when added to the washing machine, acts as a “mild abrasive”. It helps remove soap residue without damaging the fabric, thereby helping clothes retain their fresh color. In addition, black pepper also has antibacterial properties, helping to clean clothes and limit unpleasant odors.
The method is very simple, you just need to put a teaspoon of ground pepper into the washing machine with dark clothes. You should wash light-colored clothes and dark clothes separately to avoid fading. Use cold water when washing to help protect the fabric color. Cold water helps the color adhere to the fabric fibers, reducing the fading process. Choose a gentle wash cycle to limit strong friction between the fabric fibers. After washing, you just need to take the clothes out and dry them in a cool place, away from direct sunlight to keep the color more durable.
Note: You don't need to worry about pepper remaining on your clothes because after washing, it will automatically fall off and be rinsed away.
In addition to keeping clothes fresh, adding black pepper to the wash with clothes also has the following great benefits:
Reduce the use of cleaning chemicals
One great advantage of using black pepper is that you can minimize the use of harsh cleansers. This helps protect the skin, especially those with sensitive skin that is easily irritated by chemicals.
Cost savings
Black pepper is not an expensive ingredient and is easily found in any grocery store. Applying this method will help you save money on buying detergents and fabric softeners to protect the color of your clothes.
Keeps fabric soft
Using black pepper helps remove soap scum without stripping the fabric of its natural softness. This is especially useful for delicate fabrics like cotton, silk, and other high-quality fabrics.
Anti-odor and antibacterial
Another effect of black pepper is mild antibacterial, helping clothes smell fresh and free of unpleasant odors.
Notes when washing clothes with black pepper
-Do not abuse: You should not use black pepper too often in each wash, just 1-2 times per week is enough to keep clothes colorfast.
-Wash sensitive fabrics separately: For high-quality fabrics like silk, you should wash by hand or use a laundry bag to avoid too much friction.
-Combine with white vinegar: If you want to increase cleaning efficiency and preserve color, you can combine washing with white vinegar. Vinegar also helps remove stains and softens fabrics naturally.
-Avoid direct sunlight when drying.: Direct sunlight is one of the reasons why clothes fade quickly, so dry clothes in a cool, airy place.
Tips for washing clothes properly to keep colors fresh
Besides using black pepper, you can also apply some other tips to preserve clothes and keep their color lasting:
-Wash inside out: By washing inside out, you will reduce friction and color wear, helping clothes stay beautiful longer.
-Use specialized detergent: If you don’t use black pepper, choose a detergent with color protection to preserve the color of your clothes. Detergents specifically designed for colored clothes are often designed with color protection formulas to help keep clothes looking fresh. Stay away from detergents that contain harsh bleach when washing colored clothes, as this can lead to rapid fading.
-Dry clothes in the wind: After washing, you should dry your clothes in a well-ventilated area with a draft and moderate light. Direct and strong sunlight can cause rapid fading of fabric, so drying in a cool area will help clothes dry evenly without fading due to harsh sunlight.
VN (according to VTC News)