A cleaning fan has shared a laundry hack that claims to stop dark clothes from fading, but experts warn the natural bathroom item could do more harm than good.
Epsom salts in the drum
TikTok creator Chantel Mila, known online as Mama Mila, revealed she adds one cup of Epsom salts to the washing machine drum on a normal cycle when washing new dark-coloured clothing. She claims the salts stop the colours from fading.
The hack is only recommended for new dark items. Some cleaning fans believe the magnesium sulphate in Epsom salts locks loose dye molecules into fabric fibres during the wash, preventing them from bleeding out. It is also thought to soften hard water by binding to minerals, which can stop soap scum and detergent residue from dulling colours.
Experts dispute the claims
However, experts at Humble Suds said the claims do not hold up under scientific scrutiny. They explained that adding salt of any kind can interfere with detergent performance, damage the washing machine, and shorten the lifespan of clothes.
“Salt is often touted as a natural cleaning agent because of its abrasive texture and moisture-absorbing properties. Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) is frequently recommended as a fabric softener in DIY laundry recipes. However, these claims don’t hold up under scientific scrutiny,” they said.
“In fact, adding salt — whether table salt, sea salt, or Epsom salt — can interfere with detergent performance, damage your washing machine, and even shorten the lifespan of your clothes.”
Potential damage and a test result
Humble Suds added that magnesium in Epsom salts can leave residue on fabrics, making them stiffer, and that salt can clog the washing machine. Its desiccant properties draw moisture out of fabrics, weakening fibres over time, while the abrasive texture can cause micro-tears in delicate materials. Salt can also accelerate colour fading by stripping moisture, including dyes.
When House Digest tested the hack, the results were not as promised. The tester wrote: “The Epsom salt load wasn't terrible, but I'm not sold either. The laundry smelled reasonably fresh, but both the duvet and towel felt slightly stiff, almost like they needed one more rinse cycle prior to drying.”
They noted a crunchy stiffness on the towel edges and could not tell a difference in brightness between the two methods, with a family member also unable to spot any difference.
