How to Strip Towels

Soak towels in very hot water with borax, washing soda, and detergent for 4-6 hours. Stir occasionally. The water will turn grey/brown as buildup releases. Wring out and wash normally.

Laundry stripping removes years of accumulated buildup from towels - fabric softener residue, detergent deposits, body oils, hard water minerals, and general grime that regular washing doesn't eliminate.

If your towels smell despite washing, feel waxy, or no longer absorb well, stripping can reset them to like-new performance.

What You'll Need

  • Bathtub, large sink, or bucket (big enough to submerge towels)
  • Very hot water
  • 1/4 cup borax (sodium borate)
  • 1/4 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
  • 1/2 cup laundry detergent (powder works best)
  • Something to stir with

Where to find ingredients:

  • Borax: Cleaning aisle, often with laundry boosters
  • Washing soda: Cleaning aisle (not baking soda - different product)
  • Both are inexpensive and widely available

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Fill with Hot Water

Fill your bathtub or container with the hottest water available. Hot water is essential - it opens fibres and helps release buildup. If your hot tap isn't very hot, boil additional water to add.

Fill enough to fully submerge the towels with room to move.

Step 2: Add Stripping Agents

Add to the hot water:

  • 1/4 cup borax
  • 1/4 cup washing soda
  • 1/2 cup laundry detergent

Stir until dissolved. The water should look slightly cloudy.

Adjust quantities for smaller loads or containers, keeping the ratio roughly the same.

Step 3: Add Towels

Add towels to the solution. Push them down to ensure they're fully submerged. Don't overload - towels need room to release buildup.

For a standard bathtub, 4-6 bath towels is a reasonable load.

Step 4: Soak and Stir

Leave towels soaking for 4-6 hours. Stir every hour or so, agitating the towels to help release buildup.

Watch the water change colour. It will become progressively darker - grey, brown, or murky. This is years of accumulated residue leaving your towels. The grosser the water looks, the more effective the strip.

Step 5: Drain and Wring

After soaking, drain the water. Press and wring towels to remove as much dirty water as possible. Don't be alarmed by the colour of what comes out.

Step 6: Wash Normally

Transfer towels to your washing machine. Run a normal wash cycle with detergent. This removes any remaining stripping solution and loose residue.

Step 7: Dry Thoroughly

Dry completely - tumble dry or line dry with good airflow. Towels should feel noticeably different: fluffier, more absorbent, fresher.

Tips for Best Results

Use the hottest water possible. Lukewarm water won't work as well. If your hot tap is limited, supplement with boiled water from a kettle.

Don't rush the soak. Four hours minimum. Overnight is fine if convenient.

Stir regularly. Agitation helps release buildup. Stir and flip towels when you think of it.

Strip only when needed. This is a deep clean, not regular maintenance. Once or twice a year for most households, or when towels develop problems.

Pre-wash very dirty towels. If towels are visibly soiled, run a regular wash first. Stripping works on invisible buildup, not visible dirt.

What the Water Reveals

The colour of stripping water tells a story:

  • Grey: General soil, dead skin cells, detergent residue
  • Brown: Body oils, product buildup
  • Orange/rust: Hard water minerals
  • Blue/green: Detergent or fabric softener dyes

Don't be disgusted - be satisfied. All that was in your "clean" towels.

After Stripping

Maintain your newly-stripped towels:

  • Stop using fabric softener. This caused much of the buildup.
  • Use less detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue.
  • Dry completely. Between uses and after washing.
  • Wash regularly. Don't let buildup accumulate again.

When Stripping Won't Help

Stripping removes residue, not damage. It won't fix:

  • Worn, thinning fabric
  • Permanent stains
  • Colour fading
  • Frayed hems or edges
  • Towels that are simply old and worn out

If towels remain problematic after stripping, they may need replacing.

Safety Notes

  • Borax and washing soda are cleaning agents, not food. Keep away from children and pets.
  • Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
  • Ensure good ventilation.
  • Don't strip delicate fabrics - this is for sturdy cotton towels.

Summary

  1. Hot water + borax + washing soda + detergent
  2. Soak towels 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally
  3. Marvel at disgusting water
  4. Wring, wash normally, dry completely
  5. Enjoy restored towels
  6. Stop using fabric softener

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