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Washable cottons: how to clean them to get them back?

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Reusable cotton pads have many advantages. Very gentle on sensitive skin, they are essential for a zero waste bathroom. In fact, they allow you to do without disposable cotton pads for good and it is one of the simplest good gestures to reduce your trash. Also, what may seem like a high expense at the time of purchase compared to classic cottons, in fact quickly pays for itself over many years of use. However, if switching to washable cotton pads made from organic cotton, eucalyptus or bamboo to limit waste is within everyone’s reach, knowing how to clean them without harmful and irritating chemicals is often a source of questioning.

In fact, we generally recommend putting these makeup remover pads in the washing machine in a laundry net. This protects them and prevents the washing machine from devouring them like some socks! However, fans of long-lasting mascaramatte lipsticks or waterproof foundation have surely already noticed that stains remain after washing. As a result, the dazzling whiteness of the first days gives way to stubborn blackish or beigeish streaks. Here are three natural and ecological solutions from grandmother to find cleanliness and radiance!

Clean and remove washable cotton pads with Marseille soap

marseille soap
Credits: jackmac34 / Pixabay

Sometimes, use your good old bar of Marseille soap very versatile before machine washing will be enough to remove stains. To do this, moisten the cotton pads with very cold water and rub the soap into them. Then, rinse carefully and put everything in the machine. If you don’t wash them right away, you will have to let them dry before putting them in the laundry basket. If that’s not enough, move on to one of the solutions below.

Vinegar and soda crystals to clean your washable cotton pads

Prepare a bath for your cotton wool in a basin of hot water with 2 tablespoons of soda crystals and a little white vinegar. Then let your cotton pads soak for half a day so that they have time to clean up. Then, rinse them under water and scrub them with soap if necessary. When washing, do not hesitate to add a spoonful of soda crystals to the drum for greater whiteness.

You can also use soda crystals in combination with sodium percarbonate.

soda crystals natural ecological cleaning
Credits: iStock

This latest, very powerful eco-friendly blend combines whitening properties sodium percarbonate and degreasing power soda crystals (useful for dissolving liquid makeup and cleansing oil). In a liter of boiling water, pour two spoons of percarbonate and one of crystals. Leave your washable cotton pads to soak for 12 to 24 hours to clean them thoroughly. All you have to do is slide them into the machine!

Good to know:

Wash these small rounds or squares of cotton with your dirty laundry at 30 or 40°C is sufficient. If possible, use washing powder, as they have more whitening properties. Furthermore, these tips work just as well for cotton pads as reusable wipes, reusable diapers and reusable sanitary napkins. However, do not use only cold water for a blood-stained sanitary napkin. In fact, heat fixes stains.

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