If you haven’t been using baking soda in your laundry routine, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. This affordable and all-natural ingredient isn’t just for baking or freshening up the fridge – it has the power to transform your laundry as well. As an eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleaners, baking soda offers a multitude of benefits, from neutralising odours to tackling tough stains. Let’s dive into how this humble household item can become your laundry’s best friend.
Why Baking Soda in Laundry?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, has been a staple in households for decades. While most of us know it as a cooking ingredient, its uses extend far beyond the kitchen. What makes baking soda so effective in laundry is its alkaline nature, which helps to neutralise acids and break down dirt and grease. This makes it an excellent addition to your laundry routine, providing benefits such as deodorising fabrics, boosting detergent performance, and even softening clothes.
The best part? It’s safe for you, your clothes, and the environment.
The Benefits of Baking Soda in Laundry
Odour Elimination
One of the most significant advantages of adding baking soda to your laundry is its ability to neutralise odours. Whether it’s sweaty gym clothes, pet bedding, or that unpleasant mildew smell from forgotten laundry, baking soda works wonders in removing even the toughest smells. Its deodorising properties are so effective that it’s often used in refrigerators to keep food smells in check.
Simply dissolve ½ to 1 cup of baking soda in 3-4 cups of warm water, and add it to your washing machine. This will leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean after just one cycle.
Stain Removal
Stubborn stains can ruin your favourite clothes, but baking soda is here to save the day. Whether it’s oily cooking stains, grass stains, or even sweat marks, baking soda can help lift them without damaging the fabric. Its mildly abrasive texture allows you to scrub gently, while its alkaline properties help break down grease and grime.
To use baking soda for stain removal, rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric. Then, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain, add a small amount of dish soap, and scrub with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing as usual.
Boosting Detergent Performance
Baking soda can also enhance the performance of your laundry detergent, especially when dealing with heavily soiled clothing. When mixed with water, it creates a slightly alkaline solution that helps break down oils and stains more effectively. This is particularly beneficial for those who prefer to use natural detergents, which may not be as potent as chemical-laden alternatives.
For best results, mix ½ to 1 cup of baking soda with 2 cups of warm water and pour it directly into your washing machine on top of your laundry. Then, add your preferred detergent and wash as normal.
How to Use Baking Soda for Different Laundry Tasks
To Remove Odours
If your laundry has been sitting too long in the washing machine or dryer and has developed a sour or musty smell, baking soda can come to the rescue. Dissolve ½ to 1 cup of baking soda in warm water and pour it into the washing machine. Add your regular detergent and run the cycle on warm with a cool rinse to ensure the smells are fully eradicated.
For especially smelly items, such as gym clothes or pet bedding, you can add an extra rinse cycle to make sure all odours are removed.
To Freshen Non-Washable Fabrics
For items that can’t be washed, like dry-clean-only garments or home textiles such as curtains and pillows, baking soda can still work its magic. Create a DIY freshener by adding 1 cup of baking soda to a mason jar, along with a few drops of essential oil. Place the jar near the fabrics or inside a storage bin with the items, and let it sit overnight to absorb unpleasant smells.
Cleaning the Washing Machine
Baking soda isn’t just great for your laundry—it can also help clean your washing machine. Over time, washing machines can develop an unpleasant smell due to detergent and fabric softener buildup. Running a cycle with baking soda and warm water can help freshen the machine and prevent odour build-up.
Can You Mix Baking Soda with Detergent?
Yes, and it’s highly recommended. Mixing baking soda with your regular detergent helps boost the detergent’s cleaning power, especially in hard water areas. However, make sure you dissolve the baking soda in warm water before adding it to your washing machine. This ensures that the baking soda is fully activated and can work effectively with your detergent.
Baking Soda vs. Vinegar: Which Is Better?
While both baking soda and vinegar are excellent natural cleaners, they have different uses in laundry. Baking soda is primarily a deodoriser and stain remover, while vinegar is great for softening fabrics and removing soap residue. You can use both in the same laundry cycle, but they should not be mixed directly. Instead, add the baking soda during the wash cycle and vinegar during the rinse cycle for the best results.
Final Thoughts
Baking soda is a natural, cost-effective, and highly versatile ingredient that can revolutionise your laundry routine. From removing odours and stains to boosting detergent performance, it offers numerous benefits without the need for harsh chemicals. Whether you’re washing clothes, freshening non-washable fabrics, or even cleaning your washing machine, baking soda is an essential ingredient you’ll want to keep on hand. Give it a try in your next laundry load and see the difference for yourself!
