The 'Foot Soap in the Washing Machine' Craze — Does It Actually Work?
Viral Threads post: 2.6K likes · 508 reposts · 300+ original-post comments read one by one · full ingredient label decoded · grounded in LG H&H official statements
How the craze unfolded — what 300 comments say
It started with a post (2.6K likes, 508 reposts): 'ran a tub-clean cycle with Baleul Ssitja and went to sleep', showing grime from a washer under a year old. Copycat proof ('tried it half-doubting — black gunk came out') and a Daiso buying rush turned it into a full craze.
The comment success stories are specific: a 10-year-old washer 'like new' (with a Daiso purchase), yellowed white tees turning white, top-loader proof shots, and a 1,000-like rubber-gasket method (spray inside the gasket, wedge a cloth for 30–60 minutes, then run the cycle) — the method got refined in the comments.
But skepticism holds the top of the like-ranking too — 'spreading like undisclosed ads, yet no result photos' (222), 'never seen an actual grime photo' (153), and 'Baleul Ssitja is LG's product — LG's own tub cleaner is cheaper, why bother?' (68). Real failure cases ('running it now, nothing's coming out'), limits ('grime yes, mold no') and a sensory complaint ('smell too strong, eyes stung') were all confirmed.
Ad-labeled posts began appearing as it spread — our tally excludes ad posts and reflects only organic user reactions.
What success stories agree on
- Grime and black gunk out of the tub-clean cycleShared across the original and comment success stories — 'my 10-year-old washer looks new' — with top-loader proof beyond drum machines
- The gasket-crevice method got codifiedTop comment (1K likes): spray inside the rubber gasket, wedge a cloth 30–60 min, then run the cycle — the spray format reaches where hands can't
- Spread to laundry stains, sneakers, bathroomsYellowed tees, 3-year-old stains, sneaker paint and oil, baby-clothes pre-wash — though bathroom results split ('sparkling' vs 'underwhelming'); small samples, treat as anecdotes
Know before you try (skeptics included)
- Not the maker's official use (most important)LG H&H: 'developed for washing the human body, not for removing stains.' The washer use is community-invented and off-label; comments even cite a report that LG recommended its dedicated tub cleaner
- Top-voted skepticism: 'no result photos'Three skeptical comments took 222/153/109 likes — most success claims are indeed text-only
- Failures and limits are real'Nothing's coming out' (failure), 'grime comes off but not mold — use a dedicated cleaner for that' (limit), 'smell too strong, eyes stung' (sensory) — results vary by machine condition
- The same company sells a cheaper dedicated tub cleanerThe 68-like point: if tub cleaning is the goal, LG's own purpose-built cleaner costs less
- Washer safety is unverifiedNo manufacturer — appliance or detergent — has confirmed long-term effects on gaskets and parts
Why it works — the label and official statements
Based on the full ingredient labels (Foot Shampoo 2.0, 4 scents, decoded by us) and LG H&H customer-center statements. This does not guarantee tub-cleaning results.
- Fatty acids + alkali = soap base (confirmed on the label)Lauric and myristic acid sit beside potassium hydroxide at the top of the label — the 'fatty-acid surfactant' the maker describes is a classic alkaline potassium-soap formula that breaks up oily grime
- Baking soda + three AHAsSodium bicarbonate plus glycolic/lactic/citric acid appear on the label — formulated for foot calluses (protein grime), which maps onto tub detergent scum and sebum
- Alkaline cleaning power (maker's own description)A high-pH cleanser per the maker — most household grime is acidic residue, hence the stronger-than-bodywash cleaning lean
- Foam spray + ethanol & mentholThe foam clings to vertical surfaces and crevices, and the scent amplifies the 'deodorized' feel — the same scent behind the 'eyes stung' complaint. Ventilate
Worth a try if
- Targeting detergent-drawer and gasket crevices before a tub-clean cycle (the spray advantage)
- Existing Baleul Ssitja users with product to spare
- A visible-area test before committing to a dedicated tub cleaner
May not suit you if: Anyone who wants to stay inside the appliance warranty (off-label use) / Mold removal or tub cleaning as the actual goal — dedicated cleaners are the answer ('grime yes, mold no') / Anyone sensitive to strong scents
The original poster's exact method
- The original poster's method: 10 sprays each into tub, detergent drawer, softener drawer → run tub-clean with no detergent → at first drain (~10 min in), 10 more sprays into the drawer
- Finish by cleaning the drain filter — dislodged grime collects there (original poster)
- Gasket focus (1K-like comment): spray inside the gasket, wedge a cloth 30–60 min, then run the cycle
- The original poster's washer: under a year old and regularly maintained — neglected machines may differ ('nothing came out' is real)
- Start small on visible parts (detergent drawer); ventilate — the scent is strong
- Our chemistry notes describe a foot cleanser's official materials; they do not guarantee tub results or safety
Buying tips
- The original poster bulk-bought 500ml refills — the economical route for heavy use
- Daiso rush confirmed (bought within 30 minutes) — post-viral stockouts and copycat ads argue for official channels (Olive Young, Daiso, brand mall)
- If tub cleaning is truly the goal, LG's dedicated tub cleaner is cheaper — worth comparing
Compared with other Etc. picks
Same-brand items in our Threads real-user tally (our own data)
FAQ
Q. Does it actually work?
Both sides are real. Concrete claims exist ('10-year-old washer like new', 'whites turned white'), but the top-liked comments are skeptical ('no result photos'). The chemistry is explainable via the label's fatty acid + alkali (potassium soap) combo, yet 'nothing came out' cases exist and no official data guarantees results.
Q. Are there cases where it fails?
Yes — 'running it now, nothing's coming out', and 'tub grime yes, mold no.' Given the original poster's machine was under a year old and maintained, results likely split by grime type (sebum/detergent scum vs mold) and machine condition.
Q. Is it safe for the machine?
Unverified. LG H&H labels it a body cleanser, and no one has confirmed long-term effects on gaskets and parts. If you try, it's at your own risk — start small.
Q. What's the method?
The original: ① 10 sprays each into tub/detergent drawer/softener drawer ② run tub-clean with no detergent ③ 10 more sprays at first drain ④ clean the drain filter. Gaskets: spray, wedge a cloth 30–60 min, wipe — the 1K-like method.
Q. Top-loaders too?
Top-loader proof photos exist in the comments, but the original is drum-based and top-loader samples are few — test small on visible parts first.
Q. vs a dedicated tub cleaner?
Dedicated cleaners are officially made for tubs; this is officially a foot wash. Same maker, cheaper dedicated option — that's the rational pick for tub cleaning or mold. This hack's edge is the spray reaching gaskets and crevices.
Q. What's the product like for its real purpose (feet)?
A proven foot cleanser that even got Olive Young staff picks on Threads — upper ranks of our Body & Hair category (5 mentions, 2 staff picks). We have a separate deep-dive on it.
Starting from a viral Threads post with over 1.85M views, we collected real Korean users' recommendation comments on Olive Young posts, merged different spellings of the same product, and tallied mentions, likes, and staff endorsements. No ads or sponsorships — rankings come from real recommendation data only.
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