Last Updated on 10 months by Susan Mayrich
Baking soda is one of the most versatile products in your kitchen. It can do everything from cleaning your coffee pot to scrubbing your grill grates. But did you know that baking soda can also be used to freshen your laundry?
Baking soda is an all-natural product that can be used to clean your laundry. It is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and safe for both you and your clothing. Baking soda has been used for centuries as a cleaning agent and is still used today in many households for cleaning drains, carpets, and most commonly, ovens.
Is baking soda good for laundry, here’s what you need to know about using baking soda as a laundry detergent.
What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda is a white crystalline powder that is used as a leavening agent in baked goods. Baking soda is also called sodium bicarbonate and has many other uses.
Baking soda has a multitude of household uses beyond baking. It can be used as toothpaste, shampoo, a scouring powder, and more. Baking soda is also used in many cleaning products because it helps break down grease and grime while neutralizing odors.
Is Baking Soda Good for Laundry?
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can be used to remove stains from clothing. It’s especially useful for removing grease and oil stains, which are difficult to remove using commercial laundry detergents. Baking soda also neutralizes odors in clothing.
How Does Baking Soda Work?
Baking soda is alkaline, which means that it neutralizes acids, which are the main cause of unpleasant odors in clothing. By neutralizing these acids, baking soda helps reduce odor and keep clothing smelling fresh longer.
Some people report that adding a half cup or more of baking soda to their laundry helps reduce stains, especially when combined with other stain-fighting ingredients like lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.
Uses for Baking Soda in Laundry
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is very useful in the laundry room. It can be used as an odor fighter, stain remover, and even an alternative to bleach.
Here are five ways you can use baking soda in your washing machine or dryer:
Baking Soda in Laundry for Odor
Most people are familiar with baking soda as a deodorizer for refrigerators and freezers. But baking soda can also be used to get rid of odors in clothes.
If you have a lingering wet dog smell or old gym socks, sprinkle some baking soda on them before tossing them into the wash. This will help get rid of any lingering smells and make your clothes smell fresh again.
As a Stain Remover
Baking soda is great at removing stubborn stains from clothing and upholstery. It works well on both old stains and new ones. For example, if you spill red wine on your favorite white shirt, simply pour a small amount of baking soda directly onto the stain and rub gently with your fingers or an old toothbrush.
Allow the baking soda to set for about 15 minutes then rinse out with cold water. Repeat if necessary until all traces of the stain are gone.
Saving on Detergent
Baking soda has an alkaline pH, which helps neutralize acids in the wash water. This makes it an effective booster for detergents, helping them clean better at lower concentrations.
You can use 1/4 cup of baking soda in place of 1/2 cup of detergent per load.
Sanitizing New Baby Clothes
Newborns have sensitive skin that needs extra care especially when it comes to getting clothes clean. Baking soda is gentle enough for use on baby clothes and can remove stains from spit-up or diaper blowouts without harming delicate skin or causing irritation.
The natural abrasive properties of baking soda also make it ideal for deep cleaning stains from baby blankets and other soft fabrics that would normally be damaged by harsher chemicals.
Soften Your Clothes
Because baking soda is an alkaline agent, it increases the pH level of water in your washing machine, which causes detergent to work more effectively when cleaning clothes.
This gives you softer clothes with less wear and tear on fabrics like cotton and linen. Plus, it plays well with other laundry additives like fabric softeners so you can get both benefits from a single product.
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle with your detergent to get soft, fluffy towels without resorting to chemical additives.
Boost Bleach and Detergent Performance
Baking soda helps to boost the performance of bleach and detergents in the wash by removing soils that would otherwise interfere with these products’ ability to clean. Baking soda can also help remove stains from colored fabrics.
As an Alternative to Bleach
If you’re looking for an alternative to chlorine bleach that will still remove stains from your clothes, try using baking soda instead. Baking soda has a strong alkaline pH level that makes it effective at removing stains from clothing without damaging them like a harsher cleaner would.
Control Washer Suds
If you have hard water and your washer’s soap dispenser leaves behind suds on your clothes, sprinkle baking soda into the dispenser before adding detergent. The baking soda will neutralize any excess alkalinity in the water and prevent suds.
Baking Soda in Laundry FAQs
Can you use baking soda in laundry front loader?
Yes, you can, The same applies if your washing machine is top-loading or front-loading. You can definitely use baking soda in a front-loading machine.
Is soaking clothes in baking soda overnight safe?
Yes, soaking clothes in baking soda overnight is safe because it won’t harm any of your clothing or fabrics. If you want to soak clothes overnight, make sure that you add water first so that the clothes are thoroughly wet before adding the baking soda.
Can I mix baking soda with laundry detergent?
You can mix baking soda with laundry detergent in order to remove stains from your clothes. Mixing them together creates a basic solution that helps remove stains from your clothing by creating an alkaline environment that causes water molecules to adhere more strongly to fabric fibers.
Is washing clothes with baking soda and vinegar safe?
Yes, it is safe to use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar in your laundry. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, which is why it’s often the main ingredient in homemade laundry detergents. Vinegar can also be used to remove stains and soften fabrics, but it does not deodorize.
Will baking soda damage my washing machine?
No, baking soda is completely safe for washing machines. It will not cause any harm to your appliance or your clothes during the wash cycle.
Is vinegar or baking soda better for laundry?
Vinegar is a great cleaner, but it can also be abrasive and damage delicate fabrics. Baking soda is gentle on fabrics, but it doesn’t do much to get grease stains out of clothes.
