Adding pepper to your laundry might sound unconventional, but it’s a trick that some people use to help keep colors bright and prevent colors from running. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Measure the Pepper: Use about a teaspoon of ground black pepper. This amount is sufficient for a standard load of laundry.
Add Pepper to Detergent: Pour your usual amount of laundry detergent into the detergent compartment of your washing machine. Then, add the teaspoon of ground black pepper directly to the detergent. The pepper acts as a mild abrasive, helping to keep the colors in your fabrics vibrant.
Load Your Laundry: Put your colored garments into the washing machine. It’s best to use this pepper trick with colors rather than whites, as you’re aiming to preserve the brightness of colors.
Set the Washing Machine: Select the cold water setting on your washing machine. Cold water is essential, as it helps to prevent colors from running, which complements the function of the pepper.
Start the Wash Cycle: Run your washing machine as usual. The movement of the wash cycle will help distribute the pepper and detergent mixture evenly across your clothing.
Remove Clothes After Washing: Once the wash cycle is complete, remove your clothes from the machine. There should be no trace of pepper left on the clothes due to the rinse cycle.
Check the Results: After drying, check your clothes. You should find that the colors are a bit brighter and that there is less bleeding of colors than before.
