How to Use Baking Soda in Laundry

This household staple brightens and whitens laundry, and boosts the efficacy of washday staples like laundry detergent and chlorine bleach.

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an alkaline that changes the pH of water by raising it slightly. This inexpensive household staple has loads of uses, including as a leavening agent in baking and as a gentle abrasive for scouring stains from hard surfaces, as well as some surprising laundry applications.

To use baking soda in the wash, put it directly in the drum of the machine; do not add baking soda to the washer's built-in dispensers. It is best to avoid using baking soda as part of the washer's rinse cycle, as it can deposit residue that will leave clothing and household goods like sheets and towels feeling stiff. Ahead, you'll find eight ways to utilize baking soda in laundry.

1. Pretreat Stains Two Ways

Baking soda can be used to pretreat stains prior to laundering. For most stains, apply a paste made by mixing baking soda with water until it's a thick but spreadable consistency. Gently rub the paste into the stain and allow it to work for 20-30 minutes prior to laundering (discard the paste before the garment goes into the washer). However, for oil and grease stains, skip the paste and instead pour dry baking soda directly onto the stain. Allow it to sit undisturbed for 8-12 hours to slowly pull the grease out of the fabric.

2. Boost the Efficacy of Detergent and Chlorine Bleach

Because baking soda is alkaline, it can help to boost the efficacy of laundry detergent, as well as of chlorine bleach, allowing you to use less of these products and still achieve the same level of clean. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash to help laundry detergent and/or chlorine bleach to perform better.

Related: The 8 Best Laundry Detergents of 2023, According to Testing

3. A Gentle Alternative to Chlorine Bleach

If you prefer to skip the use of chlorine bleach entirely, baking soda is a good alternative for whitening clothing in the wash. Use 1/2 cup of baking soda in the wash to whiten white and light-colored clothing and household goods like sheets and towels.

4. Remove Crayon or Ink Stains

A common laundry room mishap is a stray crayon, pen, or marker going into the wash and leaving stains behind, not just on clothes but on the drum of the washer, too. When this happens, rewash the stained load with 1 cup baking soda, using the highest water temperature the stained items can tolerate. The baking soda will help to remove stains from clothing, as well as clean the drum, leaving it free from ink marks or crayon that might otherwise transfer onto the next load of wash.

5. Neutralize Acids for Stain and Odor Removal

Baking soda's alkalinity can be used to remove stains and odors caused by acidic compounds. Most foul smells, including those from urine and vomit, are acidic; washing items with baking soda can help to neutralize those acids, eliminating associated odors. And, if an acidic substance like drain cleaner or battery acid stains an article of clothing, baking soda can be used to quickly neutralize it, preventing damage to the fabric. Start by flushing the stain with cold running water, then apply baking soda to it prior to laundering.

6. Break Down Overflowing Suds for Easier Cleanup

An overflowing washer is a less common laundry room, but it does happen. If it happens to you, you'll be glad to know this handy trick. If you notice sudsy water pouring out of the washer, first turn the machine off, then pour baking soda on the suds, which will break down the bubbles and absorb some of the water, making cleanup faster and easier.

7. Soften Water

If you live in an area that has hard water, baking soda's alkalinity can help to soften the water used to launder clothes. Untreated hard water can lend clothes a dingy appearance, but using 1/2 cup of baking soda in the wash will reduce the effect of high mineral content on your laundry, leaving it cleaner and brighter looking.

8. Clean an Iron

The soleplate of an iron can develop mineral buildup over time that will affect its performance, especially if you live in an area with hard water and frequently use the iron's steam setting. Use a baking soda paste to remove mineral deposits from an iron; the mild abrasive properties of baking soda can also remove buildup from products like starch or sizing, and gently scour away scorch marks. Be sure that the iron is completely cool before applying a small amount of baking soda paste to a dry cloth, buffing away the buildup, then wiping the soleplate clean with a clean, damp cloth.

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