Does aspirin do anything in laundry?
Aspirin is basically acetylsalicylic acid, and people sometimes crush it and add it to wash water because of a traditional belief that it can:
- “Whiten” clothes
- Remove yellow stains (especially sweat stains)
- Brighten whites
This idea comes from the fact that aspirin is a mild acid, and acids can sometimes help loosen certain stains in fabric.
Does it actually work?
Short answer: Not really (or not reliably)
Modern laundry experts generally say:
- It has no meaningful cleaning power compared to detergent or bleach
- Any slight whitening effect is usually from hot water + detergent, not aspirin
- It is not necessary for clean laundry
So if it “worked” in the past, it was likely:
- Placebo effect
- Stronger washing conditions
- Or coincidence with good detergent/soaking methods
Possible downsides of using aspirin in laundry
- It’s not designed for fabric care
- It can leave residue if not fully dissolved
- It adds unnecessary cost
- It provides no real benefit compared to proper stain removers
Better modern alternatives
If the goal is whiter or fresher laundry, these work much better:
- Oxygen bleach (safe for most fabrics)
- Enzyme-based stain removers
- Baking soda for odor control
- White vinegar in rinse cycle (for softness and odor)
Why your father-in-law insists on it
This is actually common with old household habits:
- “My wife used to do it this way” often means tradition, not science
- It can also be emotionally comforting—linking routine chores to memories
Bottom line
Aspirin in the washing machine:
- Has no strong proven laundry benefit
- Is mostly a traditional home myth
- Can safely be replaced with modern laundry products
If you want, I can help you figure out a gentle way to explain this to him without upsetting him, while still respecting his memories.