The ingredient often mentioned in this household laundry tip is aspirin, which contains acetylsalicylic acid.
Can Aspirin Really Whiten Laundry?
Aspirin is sometimes recommended as a home remedy for brightening white fabrics and helping with stubborn stains. However, the effectiveness of aspirin for whitening laundry is not well established, and it should not be considered a proven alternative to products specifically designed for stain removal or fabric whitening.
If you nevertheless want to try this traditional household method, it is better to test it first on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric and check the garment’s care instructions.
One commonly described method involves dissolving several aspirin tablets in warm water and soaking the white garments for several hours. After soaking, the clothes are rinsed or washed according to their care instructions.
Another approach sometimes suggested is adding several tablets to a regular wash cycle. However, results can vary depending on the fabric, stain, water temperature, and washing detergent used.
For reliable results, especially with delicate or valuable garments, a laundry detergent or stain remover specifically formulated for white fabrics is a safer and more predictable choice.