Baking Soda in Laundry: A Simple Yet Powerful Cleaner
Sodium bicarbonate—baking soda—is not just for baking or cleaning. It’s also an effective laundry
booster, especially for neutralizing odors and maintaining your washing machine. Here’s how to use it right:
1. How It Works
Baking soda neutralizes acids and bases that cause odors, adjusts water pH, and enhances detergent
performance. Use about ½ cup per load to improve freshness and cleanliness.
2. Common Mistakes
Using too little (a sprinkle won’t help).
Adding it to the detergent drawer, where it may clump.
Replacing detergent with it—it’s meant to supplement, not substitute.
3. Proper Use in Laundry
Top-load washers: Sprinkle ½ cup directly over clothes.
Front-load washers: Dissolve ½–1 cup in warm water and pour into the drum before adding clothes.
Use up to 1 cup for heavily soiled or smelly laundry.
4. Appliance Care
Adding baking soda to empty wash cycles can help clean your machine and neutralize odors over time.
Conclusion
When used correctly, baking soda is a safe, affordable way to enhance laundry results and keep your washer fresh.
