Pre-Soak

A whole-load soak for heavily soiled laundry — sports uniforms, work clothes, cloth diapers — that gives the machine a head start before the wash cycle even begins.

What you'll need

• 1/2 cup washing soda
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• A large basin, tub, or the washing machine drum itself

Steps

1. Fill the basin with warm water and dissolve in the washing soda and castile soap.
2. Submerge the heavily soiled items completely.
3. Let them soak for 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how set-in the grime is.
4. Run through a normal wash cycle afterward — no need to rinse the soak water out first.