Co-written by The Budget Babe and Kiki Bella
I don't particularly like doing laundry (who does?) and one of the most annoying things are those delicate items—like bras, embellished tops and tights—which can easily get ruined in a washing machine. Been there, done that.
I'm not a fan of dry-cleaning (expensive and bad for the environment), so what I've typically done in the past to avoid washing-machine casualties is wash my delicates with Woolite in the sink. Don't get me wrong, Woolite is great—I've been using it for years—but I recently had the opportunity to test a new low-suds liquid called Soak, courtesy of the company's PR team, and I'm glad to have been introduced to this worthy alternative.
You can use Soak the same way you'd use Woolite: Fill your sink (or a bucket in the tub, if your sink-stopper doesn't work) with cool water, add a cap-full of Soak, let sit 15 minutes or while you watch Project Runway, come back, gently squeeze out the water, then lay flat to dry (a pop-up dryer is very handy for this!) or let bras drip-dry in the shower. Couldn't be easier.
So what makes Soak stand out? First, it's reasonably priced from $1.25 - $16 for a variety of sizes, including convenient travel sizes. You could use these to wash clothes in hotel rooms when you're on the road.
Secondly, the packaging is really pretty and Soak comes in several delish scents like citrus, aquae, flora, as well as scentless (if that's how you roll). Because of these luxe touches, you could give Soak as a gift (can't give Woolite to a girlfriend as a gift, that would be kinda strange).
Finally, Soak is NOT organic or all-natural, but their site says it's made from a biodegradable formulation that uses no dyes or harsh ingredients, and is phosphate free. The products are also packaged in recyclable bottles and printed with a water-based ink. Definite plus.
The only downside is that while Soak is sold online and at over 800 retailers, you can't find it at your local drugstore (yet), so you may have to go a little out of your way to purchase this product. However, I did a quick search of stores where Soak is sold near me and was shocked at how many cute little shops and boutiques sell it, including the yarn shop that's less than a mile from my house. (Makes sense, seeing as how Soak's creator originally designed the product with knitters in mind.) So my excuse that shopping for Soak would take me out of my way doesn't really hold up, now does it?
Oh, and if, like my mother, you are suspicious of things that don't require rinsing, you can rinse out the soak, but according to the company all you're doing is getting rid of the fragrance. Any remaining Soak evaporates from the garment, their site says.
The Verdict: If Soak was sold at my local Target, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat! I'd also consider giving Soak as a gift this holiday season to friends and family who are tough to please.
Best price online: Soak Wash Cleanser, $10.49 for a 14 oz. bottle at Target.com
How do YOU keep your delicates fresh and clean? What are your fave cleansers?
Secondly, the packaging is really pretty and Soak comes in several delish scents like citrus, aquae, flora, as well as scentless (if that's how you roll). Because of these luxe touches, you could give Soak as a gift (can't give Woolite to a girlfriend as a gift, that would be kinda strange).
Finally, Soak is NOT organic or all-natural, but their site says it's made from a biodegradable formulation that uses no dyes or harsh ingredients, and is phosphate free. The products are also packaged in recyclable bottles and printed with a water-based ink. Definite plus.
The only downside is that while Soak is sold online and at over 800 retailers, you can't find it at your local drugstore (yet), so you may have to go a little out of your way to purchase this product. However, I did a quick search of stores where Soak is sold near me and was shocked at how many cute little shops and boutiques sell it, including the yarn shop that's less than a mile from my house. (Makes sense, seeing as how Soak's creator originally designed the product with knitters in mind.) So my excuse that shopping for Soak would take me out of my way doesn't really hold up, now does it?
Oh, and if, like my mother, you are suspicious of things that don't require rinsing, you can rinse out the soak, but according to the company all you're doing is getting rid of the fragrance. Any remaining Soak evaporates from the garment, their site says.
The Verdict: If Soak was sold at my local Target, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat! I'd also consider giving Soak as a gift this holiday season to friends and family who are tough to please.
Best price online: Soak Wash Cleanser, $10.49 for a 14 oz. bottle at Target.com
How do YOU keep your delicates fresh and clean? What are your fave cleansers?