Brightening Whites
One of the best uses of baking soda for laundry is whitening and brightening white clothes and fabrics. Baking soda helps break down stubborn stains and lift discoloration and dinginess from white laundry.
To use it, add 1/2 cup of baking soda along with detergent to a load of whites. The baking soda will boost the cleaning power of the detergent and leave clothes looking brighter. For heavily soiled whites, let them soak for several hours in warm water with 1 cup baking soda before washing.
Softening Fabrics
Baking soda is great for softening fabrics in the wash. It helps remove residue from fabric softeners and detergents that can leave clothes feeling stiff.
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the rinse cycle or final rinse if you have a high efficiency washer. The baking soda will remove any lingering detergent and soften fabrics. Vinegar can also be added in the final rinse to further soften fabrics.
Reducing Odors
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. It helps absorb and neutralize bad odors lingering in clothes and fabrics.
For smelly gym clothes or smoke-infused fabrics, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a regular wash cycle. For quick odor removal between washes, let clothes soak for 30 minutes in warm water with 1 cup of baking soda.
Boosting Detergent
Adding baking soda to your regular detergent boosts its cleaning power. The baking soda and detergent work together to cut through dirt, grime, and stains more effectively.
Add between 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda per laundry load along with your usual detergent. The baking soda increases the effectiveness of the detergent without having to use more detergent.
Freshening Towels
Musty, sour towel odors can be removed by soaking them for 30 minutes with 1/2 cup of baking soda in warm water. Add the towels to the wash afterward for fresh, clean smelling towels.
Removing Grease and Oil
Baking soda can break down oil and grease stains on laundry better than detergent alone.
For grease stained clothes, pre-treat with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Let it sit for 30 minutes before washing as usual. The baking soda paste helps lift oil and grease from fabric.
Keeping Colors Bright
Over time, colored fabrics can start to look faded and dull. Baking soda helps keep colors looking brighter for longer.
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a load of colored clothes to help maintain the vibrancy of the dyes. The baking soda helps colors resist running and fading over time.
Reducing Lint
Baking soda in the rinse cycle reduces lint. The coarse texture of baking soda helps lift lint off clothes and trap it, leaving laundry lint-free.
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the rinse and the lint will wash away instead of accumulating on clothes.
Deep Cleaning Diapers
Cloth diapers need periodic deep cleaning to sanitize and remove stains and odors.
To deep clean cloth diapers, soak them for 2 hours in a bucket of hot water with 1-2 cups of baking soda. Then wash as normal. The baking soda kills germs and removes stubborn odors and stains.
Cleaning the Washing Machine Itself
Over time, residue and odors can build up in your washing machine itself. Baking soda helps remove these, leaving your washer fresh.
To clean your machine, run a wash cycle on the hottest setting with only baking soda and no clothes. Use up to 2 cups of baking soda for a top loader or 1 cup for a front loader. Follow with a regular wash cycle with clothes and detergent.
Environmentally Friendly Cleaning
Baking soda is a natural cleaner and laundry booster, without any harsh chemicals, toxins or effects on the environment. Using it helps reduce the amount of detergent needed for effective cleaning.
Conclusion
Baking soda is a laundry powerhouse. It tackles stains, brightens whites, softens fabrics, eliminates odors and helps maintain colors too. It saves money by boosting regular detergent and reducing the need for fabric softener and bleach. Environmentally friendly, non-toxic and safe for septic systems, baking soda is a smart green addition to laundry routines. Keep a box on hand to tap into its many uses for better laundry cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much baking soda should be used per load of laundry?
The recommended amount is typically 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda per standard laundry load, depending on your needs. For extra cleaning power on heavily soiled loads, up to 1 cup can be used.
Where should baking soda be added in the laundry process?
Baking soda can be added along with detergent in the main wash cycle. For softening and deodorizing, add it to the rinse cycle or final rinse instead. Check clothing care labels for any special instructions.
How does baking soda work to clean laundry?
Baking soda is a natural cleaning and deodorizing agent. It helps lift stains, brighten fabrics, absorb odors and soften laundry by altering the pH and neutralizing acids. The coarse texture of baking soda also helps clean fabrics.
Does baking soda replace detergent in the wash?
No, baking soda should be used to complement laundry detergent, not replace it entirely. Detergent is still needed to remove dirt, oils and break down stains. Baking soda boosts the cleaning power of detergent.
Can baking soda damage clothes or fabrics?
When used properly, baking soda is safe for most laundry loads. It is non-toxic and gentle on fabrics. As with any cleaning agent, check care labels for special washing instructions first. Avoid using baking soda on silk or wool, which can be damaged by harsher alkaline agents.
What is the benefit of adding baking soda to the rinse cycle?
Adding baking soda in the rinse softens fabrics by removing detergent and fabric softener residue. It also helps further eliminate odors and brighten laundry. The rinse is the best place for baking soda if you only want its deodorizing effects.
How does baking soda help remove odors from laundry?
Baking soda is able to absorb and neutralize many odor causing compounds. Its alkaline nature helps break down acid odors. As an odor absorber, baking soda helps trap smells rather than just masking them.