The Ultimate Guide To Using Baking Soda In Laundry

By Alex Assoune Apr 08, 2021

You can make a very effective DIY cleaning product by mixing water with baking soda. This all-natural, homemade cleaner and deodorizer can help you keep your clothes fresh and clean by removing stains and odors.

You can easily do your laundry with baking soda if you know the right techniques. There are many super simple and proven ways to use this baking soda to wash textile products.

Take good care of your clothes is a fantastic way to make sure that they last longer. It saves you money in the long run and protects the environment, especially when you use a natural cleaner like baking soda.

To help you avoid making mistakes when doing your laundry, here is everything you need to know about using baking soda to wash your clothes and shoes.

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Can baking soda ruin clothes?

Baking soda is safe to use to clean your clothes and will not ruin them. However, it's a good idea to measure the right amount of cleaning product to use and spot test your clothes before washing them.

Baking soda is a great way of getting stains and odors out of clothes and shoes. It's very effective against traces of oil products and soapy residue.

You can add baking soda to wash your clothes but not too much. The amount of baking soda you need depends on how many clothes you plan to wash. You will need more baking soda for heavier loads.

How to hand wash clothes with baking soda?

You first need to craft a solution of baking soda using four tablespoons per glass of water. Then, apply the mixture to the stained area gently and let it make its effects for at least an hour.

Baking soda help neutralize stains and odors on your clothing if you wait long enough. A solution of baking soda and water is a powerful cleaner that keeps your items fresh and clean.

Allow your clothing to air dry. After a while, you can brush the baking soda off of the clothing. Then, cleanse and rinse the fabrics in cold water.

If the stains and odors are still there, you need to repeat these steps until they are gone. Repeat the baking soda application, let your clothes or shoes soak for longer until the spots are fully removed.

Can I wash clothes with baking soda only?

You can safely wash your clothes with baking soda only. Baking soda is a natural cleaner and deodorizer that helps your clothes stay fresh and clean by removing stains and odors.

Using baking soda doesn't have any additives that can damage your clothes, your skin, or the environment. It's an ideal solution to do your laundry with a good conscience.

Commonly used laundry detergents may stick on your clothes when they aren't properly dispensed. And any chlorine-based detergent can melt fibers, dyes, and also damage fabrics.

How do I use baking soda in my washing machine?

Pour half a cup of baking soda directly into your load of dirty laundry in the washing machine so that it dissolves into the water instead of adding it to the detergent compartment.

Make sure to check every pocket beforehand to see if you have left something there. You don't want to soak anything fragile, especially a watch, phone, or wallet.

To avoid dye bleeding, separate light from dark colors before washing your clothes. Dark colors often bleed on other clothing pieces or fade due to the combination of tumbling and temperature.

Turn your clothes inside out to protect the visible sides, and at the same time, expose the dirtiest parts of your garments. Make sure to fasten zippers that could snag, and open buttoned shirts, cuff, and collars.

Remember to only place the proper amount of clothes in the washer. Fill the washing machine between two-thirds and three-quarters. Your washing machine can be damaged if it's almost empty. And a full washer won't give you the best results either.

Wash your clothes in cold water. Cold water does the job for most fashion items, beddings, and linens. Place them in the washing machine with a temperature lower than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Select a gentle washing and tumbling cycle and avoid high spin speeds as much as possible when doing your laundry. Clothes that get washed gently are less prone to shrinking and wrinkling.

Is baking soda effective against odors?

Baking soda help neutralize stains and odors on your clothing very effectively. A solution of baking soda and water is a powerful deodorizer that refreshes textile products naturally.

You can wash heavily soiled clothes by hand in a basin with baking soda. Just don't scrub stains vigorously. You could spread them and even damage the fabric permanently. Instead, work from the outside in gently dabbing the stain.

To eliminate sticky odors on clothes, try brushing them with water and baking soda. Simply soak your items in moderately warm water and baking soda for at least an hour.

Depending on how strong the odor is, use more or less baking soda mixed with water. Start with four tablespoons of baking soda per glass of water.

Baking soda is a natural cleaner that will begin removing odors out of your apparel and footwear right away without damaging it. Then, cleanse and rinse the fabrics in water.

If the odors are still there, you need to repeat these steps until they are gone. Repeat the baking soda application, let your clothes or shoes soak for longer until the odors are gone.

Is it safe to apply baking soda on black clothes?

Baking soda is safe to use on black clothes as it won't cause the colors to fade. However, it's a good idea to not use too much baking soda right away and spot test your clothes before washing them.

Simply make a solution of baking soda using four tablespoons per glass of water. Then, let your clothes soak in a basin for at least an hour and baking soda will make its effects.

You can also pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine with your load of dirty laundry so that it dissolves into the water.

Baking soda is a great way of getting stains and odors out of clothes and shoes. Add baking soda to your laundry but not too much.

The amount of baking soda you need depends on how many clothes you plan to wash. You will need more baking soda for heavier loads.

Can I use baking soda instead of laundry detergent?

You can easily make an all-purpose, all-natural cleaner by mixing water with baking soda. Baking soda can effectively replace laundry detergent to remove stains and odors.

You'll need four tablespoons of baking soda per glass of water. Make the cleaning solution, apply it to the stained area, and let it soak for at least an hour.

Once you're satisfied with the result, start gently brushing the baking soda off your clothes. Then, clean and rinse with cold water.

You can also pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine with your load of dirty laundry so that it dissolves into the water.

Make sure to soak your clothes and shoes long enough but not too long as you risk damaging the fabrics. Delicate fabrics require special attention.

Make sure to read the care instructions you can find on the care label. It's the best way to determine if each clothing piece is washable how to take care of it properly.

Can baking soda damage the washing machine?

Baking soda is a natural cleaner and deodorizer that keeps your clothes and washing machine fresh and clean. It won't damage the washer but instead, ensure it stays in perfect condition.

Baking soda is well-known for its all-purpose, all-natural cleaning properties. You can achieve the same results as using classic detergents while saving yourself money, and reducing the impact on the environment.

Don't place baking soda in a washer's automatic dispenser. Instead, pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine with your load of dirty laundry so that it dissolves into the water.

Baking soda helps keep your washing machine fresh and clean. It will give you sharper whites, brighter brights, and odor-free clothing.

Baking soda helps to remove odors and stains from clothes and shoes and also softens them naturally.

A solution of baking soda and water is highly effective to wash the inside of your machine. You can scrub the inside surfaces with a sponge or cloth and rinse with cold water once you're satisfied with the results.

Can I put vinegar and baking soda in the washer?

You can make a very effective DIY cleaning product by mixing water with white vinegar. This all-natural, homemade cleaner can help you keep your laundry and washer fresh and clean.

Using white vinegar with baking soda to wash your clothes is a plastic-free and less toxic way of taking care of them since it eliminates unnecessary bottles of cleaner.

Vinegar is an affordable and eco-friendly fabric cleaner and conditioner. It effectively eliminates bacteria and cleans stains, spots, residue to make your clothes last longer.

Depending on how dirty your clothes are, use more or less vinegar mixed with baking soda and moderately warm water. Start with one cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda for four cups of water.

If you don't want to make this natural cleaner yourself at home, you can also look for package-free cleaning products made of vinegar at farmer's markets or some grocery stores.

Increase the vinegar and baking soda proportion if necessary. Be careful not to use too much vinegar as some fragile colors may fade.

Simply pour the vinegar/baking soda solution into the washing machine with your load of dirty laundry. Then, select the cold water setting and start the washer on a gentle washing and tumbling cycle.

Don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar. If you are worried about the odor, you can add an aromatic scent to the mixture using the essential oils of your choice.

Using scented vinegar in place of a traditional fabric cleaner will eliminate static, give a soft feel, and add a fresh scent to your clothes.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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