Putting bay leaves in the washing machine is part of the methods our grandparents used to protect clothes from a problem that ruined clothes.

Time and countless washes, as well as the continued use of the pieces, cause them to easily lose color and shine. If you want to know what bay leaves are used for in the washing machine, continue reading the article.

What to do with clothes that lose color

No one likes their clothes looking    faded or worn.  But how can we give up those comfortable clothes that we love so much?
The key    to long-lasting clothes    often lies in a simple change:    short, cold wash cycles.

This is because the longer the wash cycle, the more agitated the clothes are and the more the fabric rubs against the fabric. Additionally, the hotter the water, the fibers swell, contributing    to discoloration and wear.

An ingenious and ancient trick that our grandparents used to preserve our clothes still works:    it consists of making swimsuits out of bay leaves.

This aromatic plant, much appreciated in the kitchen, is capable of    fixing colors in fabrics    and at the same time    brightening them up.

In this way, even after washing, the fabrics will remain in good condition    thanks to the astringent properties of the fresh leaves.

Why should we put bay leaves in the washing machine?

To cure our clothes that have lost their color, our grandmothers have prepared a solution that involves the use of    fresh bay leaves,    since fresh leaves contain a substance    called oleolite    , which when dispersed in water releases its    astringent qualities.

All we need is:

• a tall and spacious pot with plenty of water,
• 4 heaped tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda,
• 10 bay leaves.

After boiling the bay leaves, let them “cook” for at least 20 minutes. In the meantime, the bicarbonate will be completely dissolved, as will    the oil, which will release its beneficial properties for the tissues.

After 20 minutes    we let the water heat up    and then we put the water in the basin where we placed the clothes to be treated. Finally, the clothes are left    to soak all day.

The next day we will continue to rinse the clothes and do a normal wash as usual. To wash in the washing machine with bay leaves, simply put    10 bay leaves and the bicarbonate of soda in a bag    , then close the bag well and then insert it into the drum. To do this, a 30° wash will be programmed.

The bay leaf    can be replaced with coarse salt    (4 or 5 tablespoons of salt) or apple cider vinegar (1 cup), following the same procedure as for the    bay leaf.