A CLEANING expert has revealed that people always make the same mistake when it comes to doing their laundry - and warns it could be making clothes dirtier.

So, are you guilty of it?

Stephanie Booth, who is from the US, has urged homeowners to avoid a popular hack that has gone viral online - adding that it could be making your water harder and actually ruining your clothes.

Speaking to The Express, she revealed that some cleaning enthusiasts are recommending combining Epsom salts with essential oils to create a scent-booster, and then adding it to their washing.

But according to Stephanie, this could be doing more harm that good as it prevents the washing detergent from doing its job properly.

"I can completely understand how appealing this DIY recipe is, given how in-wash scent beads are full of toxins and hormone disrupters, not to mention the residue it leaves on your fabrics," she explained.

"But…adding Epsom salt could be counteracting the effects of your laundry soap or detergent.

That’s because Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate."

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The cleaning expert goes on to say that Epsom salts contain a high concentration of magnesium - a mineral that's renowned for making water hard.

She adds that calcium and magnesium are two minerals that are both found in water, and that high levels of either is what can result in hard water.

"These minerals bind up soaps and detergents rendering them less effective at cleaning your fabrics," she continued.

The cleaning expert also explains how a chemistry experiment has helped to provide validity to her theory.

She says how she filled to jars with filtered water, adding Epsom salt to just one of them.

She then added Castille soap and gave them both a shake.

And the result? The jar without Epsom salt bubbled up while the one without the mineral refused to allow the soap to bubble up, suggesting the mineral could be making your washing dirtier.

Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:

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