How to Use Baking Soda in Laundry: 6 Ways

Fact checked by Alexandra KayReviewed by Rhea Mehta

That box of baking soda you have handy is an inexpensive way to remove odors from laundry, boost detergent and bleach performance, soften clothes, clean an iron, and control detergent suds—who knew!

Safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers, baking soda is one of the top two best products (along with distilled white vinegar) for making your laundry brighter and reduce dependence on harsh chemicals.

If you have a top-loading washing machine, simply add baking soda to the drum of the machine. For front-loading washers, add baking soda to the empty washer tub before loading your laundry.

Here are six examples of how to use baking soda in laundry.

6 Ways to Use Baking Soda in Laundry

Reduce and Remove Laundry Odors

Body odors on our clothes and linens are caused by bacteria. Sometimes, less expensive detergents don't contain hard-working enzymes to tackle the bacteria and need a boost to work more effectively.

Baking soda helps to regulate the pH level in the washer's water by keeping it from being too acidic or alkaline.

Add baking soda directly to the drum of your washing machine before loading clothes. By adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to each laundry load, detergents can work more effectively and reduce bacteria.

For heavy odor problems like underarm perspiration stains or environmental odors like cigarette smoke, use baking soda and water as a pre-soak.

Dissolve 1 or 2 cups of baking soda in some warm water. Fill the washer tub or a large sink with cool water and add the dissolved baking soda. Add your stinky clothes and allow them to soak overnight and then wash as usual.

If you have garments that need refreshing and are not washable, place them in a sealable container like a storage tub with an open box of baking soda. Leave them for at least 24 hours—longer is better—to help remove odors.

Boost Bleach and Detergent Performance

Chlorine bleach is often used to help remove odors and general grime in our laundry. In water that is too acidic or alkaline, bleach needs a boost to work more effectively. By boosting its cleaning properties, you may be able to use less bleach to achieve the same results, saving yourself money and reducing the bleach's impact on the environment.

Adding 1/2 cup of baking soda for each 1/2 cup of bleach (being sure to add the bleach at the proper time) will help regulate the pH level in the water so bleach will work more effectively to reduce bacteria and loosen the soil.

If you're not using chlorine bleach, that 1/2 cup of baking soda will boost the performance of your detergent. This is especially important if you have hard water or use a value detergent. The dry baking soda should be added to the empty washer tub before dirty laundry is added. Do not place baking soda in a washer's automatic dispensers.

Soften Fabrics Naturally

Baking soda helps to regulate the pH level in the washer's rinse water by keeping it from being too acidic or alkaline. Adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to each rinse cycle acts as a balance to suspend detergent or mineral deposits in the water and keep them from redepositing on clothes, which can make clothing feel stiff.

As a natural mineral, baking soda is less harsh on the environment than synthetic fabric softeners with perfumes that mask odors. Unlike synthetic fabric softeners that can interfere with fire-retardant finishes on children's pajamas, baking soda can be used safely.

Clean Irons

Baking soda is a natural gentle abrasive. To remove built-up starch and scorch deposits from the faceplate of a cool iron, mix a paste of baking soda and water. Using a white cloth, rub the paste over the face of the iron. For tough build-up, use the cloth to scrub gently and repeat until the build-up is gone. Finish by wiping off the faceplate with a cloth dampened with distilled white vinegar.

Your iron will now glide smoothly, making ironing much easier and leaving no tell-tale deposits.

Control Washer Suds

With the popularity of the new HE or high-efficiency front-loading washers, suds control is a priority. If you mistakenly use regular laundry detergent rather than HE detergent, you'll see those suds begin to flow.

If overflow happens, turn off the washer and grab your box of baking soda. Sprinkle the powder directly on the suds to quickly break them down. Baking soda in HE washers helps absorb some of the moisture, making clean-up easier.

Remove Stains

Baking soda is often combined with water to form a paste to remove any acidic stains like coffee, fruit juices, and various bodily fluids like blood. The paste should be applied to the stained area and left to dry, so it pulls out any odors and color pigments.

If you're unsure how to treat a specific stain, try The Spot Check below to help you find out.

Washing Soda vs. Baking Soda in Laundry

There may be instances where you may want to use washing soda instead of baking soda in your laundry, and vice versa. Washing soda works best when being used to remove stains and brighten clothing. Washing soda also works great as a fabric softener. Baking soda, on the other hand, works well for softening clothes as well and is less abrasive on fabrics.

Vinegar vs. Baking Soda in Laundry

Vinegar is another common household staple that can be used in the laundry. The benefits of vinegar in laundry include removing stains, softening fabrics, banishing odors such as mildew, brightening and whitening clothing, reducing lint and pet hair, and more.

You can add vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser in front-load washers or directly to the drum in top-load washers during the rinse cycle. Baking soda helps control overflowing suds and bring aged linens back to life. Both baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean your washing machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put baking soda in my fabric dispenser?

No. Baking soda should only be placed directly in the drum of your washing machine. Never deposit baking soda in the built-in fabric dispensers of your washer.

Can I put vinegar and baking soda in my washing machine to clean it?

While you can use vinegar and baking soda individually to clean your washing machine, these two products should not be combined together because they will neutralize one another.

Is baking soda safe for colored clothes?

In general, baking soda is safe for colored clothing. However, delicate fibers such as wool or silk may be damaged by baking soda so avoid using it with these types of materials.

Read Next: 15 Ways to Use Baking Soda as a Green Cleaner

Read the original article on The Spruce.