15 minutes of boiling fixes what detergents cannot
A viral kitchen hack relies on washing soda and high heat to strip bacteria from fabric fibers.
By Fatou Mitchell ·
Fifteen minutes in a pot of boiling water is enough time to remove bacteria from tea towels that survive a standard machine wash. Chef Charles Kim, known online as Chef Fatty, told followers to skip the laundry room for these specific items. He argued that the washing machine often fails to eliminate the microbes living deep within the fabric.
Kim explained that a normal wash leaves bacteria alive inside the fibers. He noted that adding more detergent makes the problem worse. The extra suds trap gunk in the material instead of rinsing it away. This residue creates a sticky layer that holds onto moisture.
The chef warned that excess detergent and fabric conditioner leave a waxy film on the towel. That film traps body oils and dead skin cells. When the towel stays damp, mildew and odor-causing bacteria grow rapidly in that trapped moisture. Kim stated clearly, 'Never ever ever wash a stinky towel. Let me explain.'
The alternative method uses heat and an alkaline cleaner. The process requires a bucket or large saucepan filled with boiling water. The user adds two tablespoons of washing soda to the liquid. Kim suggested that households can make washing soda at home by baking baking soda. He recommended placing baking soda on a tray and heating it in an oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.
Heating sodium bicarbonate changes it into sodium carbonate. This chemical shift increases the pH level. The resulting compound cuts through grease and softens hard water more effectively than standard detergents. The alkalinity helps break down the buildup that traps odors.
Once the towel is submerged in the soda water, it must boil for a minimum of 15 minutes. This duration ensures the heat penetrates the fibers and kills the bacteria. Kim offered a backup option for those without a large enough pot. He advised setting a washing machine to its hottest cycle and using oxygen bleach powder with detergent. He emphasized that fabric softener should never be used in this process.
The method targets the root cause of persistent smells. It removes the bacterial colonies that standard laundry cycles miss. The process relies on chemical heat rather than mechanical agitation. The result is a towel free of the waxy residue that typically causes the odor to return.
