Scientists Explain How Salt Enhances Detergent Performance and Preserves Fabric Colors in Home Washing Machines Across the United States

Doing laundry doesn’t have to be a tedious chore anymore. Modern washing machines take care of most of the work with the push of a button.

Yet even the fanciest machines can struggle with stubborn stains, lingering odors, or fading fabrics.

Luckily, there’s a surprisingly simple and inexpensive solution hiding right in your kitchen: salt.

This little trick can help keep your clothes looking vibrant and smelling fresh without breaking the bank.

Why Salt Makes a Difference in Laundry

Most of us rely on detergent or capsules alone, but adding a spoonful of salt to your wash can supercharge the cleaning power.

Salt helps remove stains, preserve colors, and protect the fibers of your clothes.

When used in moderation, it’s perfectly safe for washing machines.

“Salt enhances detergent efficiency, improves clothing cleanliness, and helps eliminate odors,” notes El Economista.

Salt crystals help lock dye into fabrics, which prevents colors from fading.

On top of that, salt has a mild antibacterial effect, neutralizing odor-causing bacteria so your clothes stay fresher for longer.

Additive	Effect	Best Use
Salt	Preserves color, boosts detergent, removes odors	Add to detergent compartment or rub directly on stains
White Vinegar	Softens fabrics, removes detergent residue, prevents limescale	Ideal for towels and bedding
Baking Soda	Tackles tough stains, neutralizes odors	Perfect for sportswear
Lemon	Whitens fabrics, freshens laundry	Works best on cotton and linen

Measure one tablespoon of table salt.
Add it to the detergent compartment along with your regular detergent.
Run your normal wash cycle.
For stubborn local stains like wine or sweat, dampen the fabric and rub salt directly on the stain.
Use this method only every 2–3 washes to avoid salt buildup in the drum.

This trick is especially helpful for brightly colored clothing and items that tend to retain odors, such as sportswear.

Salt can also be combined with other additives for an extra cleaning punch. For example:

Tip: Always add additives sequentially rather than all at once to avoid reactions or residue.

Pros

Cons

Which type of salt works best?
Table salt without additives is ideal. Avoid iodized salt as it may leave marks.

Is it expensive?
Not at all. One tablespoon costs only a few cents, comparable to luxury laundry softeners.

Salt or baking soda?
Baking soda excels at removing stubborn stains and odors, while salt is better for preserving colors and preventing fading.

Myth: Salt damages washing machines.
Fact: Moderate use is safe and may even help reduce limescale buildup.
Myth: Salt can replace detergent.
Fact: Salt enhances detergent effectiveness but does not clean on its own.
Myth: Salt is safe for all fabrics.
Fact: Avoid using salt on delicate materials like wool or silk.