We’re all familiar with traditional cleaning hacks like vinegar and baking soda, or lemon juice and salt – but there’s a secret weapon in your home that’s not just for laundry stains, but also for tackling mould. This hidden cleaning powerhouse is none other than aspirin, typically found in your first aid kit.
Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid, which aids in breaking down stains, brightening whites, and even combating mould spores hiding in fabric, says Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap. It’s a game-changer for those grappling with yellowed shirts, sweat stains, or mildew smells on towels.
At a mere 54p a pack, aspirin offers an affordable alternative to expensive stain removers, reports the Express. Moreover, it’s eco-friendly, devoid of harsh chemicals or artificial whiteners, and gentle on fabrics, unlike bleach, which can weaken fibres.
To utilise this budget-friendly stain-fighting solution, crush five to six uncoated aspirin and dissolve them in a bowl of warm water. Soak any stained clothing in the bowl for several hours or overnight, then wash as usual in your washing machine.
But aspirin’s benefits extend beyond laundry – it’s also a potent mould-busting solution. Just as aspirin can help plants ward off fungal infections when added to water, it can also eliminate mildew from clothes, curtains and washing machines.
Simply crush five aspirin tablets and mix them with water to create a paste. For an extra boost, you can add white vinegar or lemon juice.
Apply the paste to affected areas, let it sit for 30 minutes, then wash as normal. You can also add dissolved aspirin directly to your washing machine’s detergent drawer for a thorough cleaning of the appliance.
Additionally, it can tackle one of life’s more irritating problems anyone who has mistakenly washed a tissue knows the annoyance of finding tiny paper fragments all over their clothes and inside the washing machine.
On Facebook, Susan Attisha reached out to followers of Mrs Hinch, asking on the platform for advice on how to remove pieces of tissue from her laundry after an incident in the washing machine.
Geraldine Baines responded with a tip: “Put them back in the machine put four or five dissolvable aspirins in the drum wash at 40C and it will all disappear. I’ve been using this method for years.”
Steph Martin offered a similar suggestion: “Aspirin soaked in a bucket gets it out the best.”
Mandy Harrison Carhart said: “Put them in a bucket of water with aspirin overnight. I don’t know how but it works!”
Diane Ingamells shared her approach: “Soak two dissolvable aspirin in cold water for half an hour then rinse through. Works for me every time.”