A single laundry pod, costing as little as 24p, can remove food, makeup and dirt stains from white clothing by hand, eliminating the need for a washing machine or harsh chemical stain removers.
Stubborn stains on white clothes can be frustrating, and many commercial stain removers are either too expensive or can dull the brightness of white fabrics. Harsh chemicals, leftover detergent and damaged fabric fibres can make white clothes look grey, yellow or dull.
The 24p hack using a laundry pod
The method involves placing the stained clothing into a large bowl of hot water, then popping a laundry pod directly onto the stains. The clothing material is used to gently scrub with the laundry detergent for around one to two minutes until the stain vanishes. Older stains may require longer scrubbing.
Although the pod's colours may initially appear to stain the fabric, these disappear once the item is dipped back into hot water. If the colours persist, scrubbing again will remove them, leaving the clothing pearly white.
Cost and practicality
One pod can wash two to three items at a time, depending on the size of the stain. The hack is cost-efficient, saving money on energy bills by avoiding the washing machine. For 50 pods at Sainsbury's, the cost is £12, meaning one pod averages out to 24p.
Alternative baking soda method
According to Apartment Therapy, baking soda is another effective way to whiten clothes. A paste of equal parts bicarbonate of soda and water treated stains after sitting for an hour. Adding baking soda to wash cycles can also help whiten clothes.
