When doing laundry, you often rely on many detergents and laundry boosters to ensure our clothes come out fresh, clean, and odor-free. Among these products, one unassuming household item has been a laundry game-changer for generations — baking soda.
Let’s explore the remarkable ways that using baking soda in laundry can upgrade your household routine in this blog.
Can I Mix Baking Soda and Detergent for Laundry?
Baking soda can be added to your laundry detergent to enhance cleaning power. It helps by neutralizing odors, softening the water, and removing stains. This combination is safe and effective for most fabrics and can be especially useful for eliminating unpleasant smells and boosting your laundry’s cleanliness.
Is It Okay to Put Baking Soda in Your Laundry?
Baking soda is a natural, versatile, and eco-friendly substance that offers many benefits beyond typical culinary uses. Its alkaline properties make it an excellent cleaning agent, and it has become increasingly popular as an alternative to chemical-laden laundry boosters.
With the growing concern about the environmental impact of synthetic laundry products, many people are turning to baking soda as a safe and sustainable option to enhance their laundry routine.
Why Use Baking Soda on Clothes
For those seeking effective, eco-friendly, and budget-conscious alternatives to traditional chemical-laden products, using baking soda in laundry routine can bring remarkable benefits. Here’s how this simple yet powerful ingredient can elevate your laundering experience:
1. Baking soda acts as a natural fabric softener.
Adding baking soda to your laundry effectively counters the mineral build-up found in hard water. These mineral deposits are known to cause fabrics to become stiff and uncomfortable. However, with baking soda as a water softener, your clothes can come out of the wash feeling softer and more comfortable.
2. Baking soda is suitable for all fabrics.
Unlike other chemical softeners, baking soda is gentler and safe for all fabrics, including delicate materials like silk and wool. It can be a safe option to maintain the integrity of the fiber on your clothes and prolong the life of your garments.
3. Baking soda removes sweat stains.
Baking soda is an effective remedy for removing stubborn sweat stains from clothes. If you plan to wash clothes with baking soda to eliminate stains successfully, make a simple paste of baking soda and water and scrub it on the affected area before rinsing.
4. Baking soda eliminates odors.
Baking soda’s natural odor-fighting properties make it an excellent choice for combating unpleasant smells on clothing. Adding half a cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle can help remove odors, making it particularly useful for gym clothes and musty towels.
5. Baking soda brightens aged linens and fabrics.
For fine linens and fabrics showing signs of aging and stains, baking soda works wonders in restoring their brightness and freshness. Adding half a cup of baking soda to a top-loading machine can lift stains and revitalize aged fabrics.
6. Baking soda neutralizes acids.
In case of spills or stains caused by acidic substances such as vomit or urine, applying baking soda on clothes can help quickly neutralize the acid. Doing so also prevents further damage to the fabric.
7. Baking soda cleans and freshens washing machines.
Baking soda not only cleans your clothes but also helps maintain the cleanliness of your washing machine. Mixing baking soda and water can scrub the surfaces inside and outside the machine, preparing it for your next laundry load.
8. Baking soda is environmentally friendly.
Adding baking soda to your laundry routine can significantly reduce the detergent needed to clean your clothes. This saves money, reduces the environmental impact of chemicals released into water systems, and contributes to a more eco-friendly laundry process.
Where Do You Put Baking Soda in the Laundry?
There are various ways to incorporate baking soda into your laundry routine. It all depends on the type of washing machine you use and whether you’re doing machine-wash or hand-wash laundry. To ensure the best results, here are different techniques for using baking soda in laundry:
1. Using Baking Soda in the Washing Machine
- Pre-treat stains with baking soda. Use baking soda to pre-treat stubborn stains on your clothes. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water and applying it directly to the stained area. Gently rub the paste into the fabric and allow it to sit for a few minutes before adding the garment to the washing machine.
- Add baking soda directly to the washing machine. You can add half a cup to a cup of baking soda directly to the washing machine drum along with your regular detergent. Baking soda will work alongside the detergent to help remove your clothes’ dirt, odors, and stains.
2. Using Baking Soda in Hand-Wash Laundry
You can still use baking soda if you prefer hand washing your laundry. Dissolve about one tablespoon of baking soda in a water-filled basin or sink. Soak clothes in baking soda solution for a few hours before gently agitating and rinsing them. Baking soda can help clean and soften your hand-washed items and ensure gentle care for your delicate fabrics.
Tips for Maximizing Baking Soda’s Effectiveness
Incorporating baking soda is a game-changing solution for transforming your laundry routine into a greener and more efficient process. Here are some practical tips for harnessing the power of baking soda for your laundry needs:
1. Test baking soda on new fabrics.
Before using baking soda on new or delicate fabrics, perform a patch test to ensure compatibility. Apply a small amount of baking soda mixture to an inconspicuous area of the fabric and check for any adverse reactions or discoloration.
2. Soak clothes in baking soda solution.
For clothes with tough stains or lingering odors, create a solution of warm water and baking soda. Soaking clothes in baking soda overnight can help loosen dirt and grime and make it easier for the detergent to work effectively during the wash.
3. Measure properly for different loads.
When using baking soda in the washing machine, adjust the amount depending on the load size. Half a cup of baking soda should suffice for small loads, while larger loads may require up to a cup. Avoid overloading the machine to allow the baking soda to disperse evenly and work magic on the clothes.
4. Combine baking soda with vinegar.
Consider combining baking soda with white vinegar for particularly stubborn stains or odors. Add half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine drum before starting the wash cycle. Baking soda and vinegar are great at removing tough stains and can effectively fight against harmful bacteria in your laundry.
The Bottom Line
So, can you use baking soda to wash clothes? Absolutely! Baking soda is a versatile, eco-friendly solution for various household tasks, including laundry. Its multifaceted properties, acting as a fabric softener and combating tough stains and odors, make it indispensable for achieving fresher and cleaner clothes.
Enhance your laundry experience by entrusting your clothing to Kelly’s Dry Cleaners.
For a truly exceptional laundry experience, trust the experts at Kelly’s Dry Cleaners. Our top-quality laundry services in Pagosa Springs, CO, can cater to your unique needs and ensure your clothes receive the utmost care and attention. Contact us today and schedule our services for achieving laundry perfection.
