How to Use Baking Soda in Laundry Without Damaging the Fabric

You’ve heard that baking soda is good for laundry but you’re not sure how to use it. You don’t want to damage your clothes or your washing machine. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a natural, safe laundry booster that deodorizes, softens water, and helps detergent clean better. It’s cheap, effective, and safe for most fabrics. But it needs to be used correctly. Too much can leave residue, and it’s not right for every fabric. Here’s how to use baking soda in laundry.

Baking soda in laundry is the use of sodium bicarbonate as a laundry booster. Baking soda deodorizes by neutralizing acids, softens hard water by removing calcium and magnesium, and boosts detergent by maintaining the right pH for cleaning. It’s safe for most fabrics but should not be used on silk or wool.

To use baking soda in laundry, add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the drum before adding clothes, use with enzyme detergent, and wash in warm or hot water. Don’t use on silk or wool, don’t use more than 1 cup per load, and don’t use it as a replacement for detergent.

What Baking Soda Does in Laundry

Deodorizes

Baking soda neutralizes acids that cause odors. It removes sweat, food, smoke, and musty smells from clothes.

Softens Hard Water

Baking soda removes calcium and magnesium from hard water, which helps detergent clean better and prevents residue.

Boosts Detergent

Baking soda maintains the pH level that detergent needs for optimal cleaning. It helps detergent remove stains and soils.

Brightens Whites

Baking soda helps remove yellowing from whites by removing residue and boosting detergent.

Softens Clothes

Baking soda softens clothes naturally by removing detergent residue and hard water minerals. It’s a natural alternative to fabric softener.

How to Use Baking Soda in Laundry

For Everyday Loads

Step 1: Add detergent. Add 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle to the dispenser.

Step 2: Add baking soda. Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum before adding clothes.

Step 3: Add clothes.

Step 4: Wash as usual. Use the right water temperature and cycle.

For Odor Removal

Step 1: Soak in baking soda. Fill a tub with warm water and add 1 cup of baking soda. Soak smelly clothes for 1 to 2 hours.

Step 2: Wash with baking soda. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and half a cup of baking soda in hot water.

Step 3: Add vinegar to the rinse. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse for extra deodorizing.

For Stain Removal

Step 1: Make a paste. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.

Step 2: Apply to the stain.

Step 3: Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Wash. Wash with enzyme detergent and baking soda.

For Whitening

Step 1: Add baking soda and oxygen bleach. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of oxygen bleach to the drum.

Step 2: Wash in hot water.

Step 3: Add vinegar to the rinse.

For Hard Water

Step 1: Add baking soda. Add half a cup to 1 cup of baking soda to the drum.

Step 2: Add detergent. Use the usual amount of Tide Free and Gentle.

Step 3: Wash as usual.

How Much Baking Soda to Use

Load Type	Amount
Normal load	Half a cup
Large load	Three-quarters cup
Heavy odors	1 cup (plus soak)
Hard water	Half to 1 cup
Stain paste	2 tablespoons mixed with water

What Not to Do

Don’t use baking soda on silk or wool. Baking soda is alkaline and can damage protein fibers like silk and wool. Use a pH-neutral detergent instead.

Don’t use more than 1 cup per load. Too much baking soda can leave residue on clothes and in the machine.

Don’t use baking soda as a replacement for detergent. Baking soda boosts detergent but doesn’t replace it. Always use detergent.

Don’t mix baking soda with vinegar in the same cycle. They neutralize each other. Use baking soda in the wash and vinegar in the rinse.

Don’t use baking soda with chlorine bleach. Mixing baking soda with chlorine bleach can create harmful gases. Use one or the other.

Don’t put baking soda in the detergent dispenser. Add it to the drum directly to prevent clogging.

Don’t skip monthly cleaning. Baking soda can leave residue if used in excess. Clean monthly with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

FAQ

How do you use baking soda in laundry? Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum before adding clothes, use with enzyme detergent, and wash as usual. For odors, soak in baking soda solution first. For stains, make a paste and apply. Don’t use on silk or wool.

What does baking soda do in laundry? Baking soda deodorizes by neutralizing acids, softens hard water by removing minerals, boosts detergent by maintaining the right pH, brightens whites, and softens clothes naturally.

How much baking soda should you use in laundry? Half a cup for a normal load. Three-quarters cup for a large load. 1 cup for heavy odors or hard water. Don’t use more than 1 cup per load.

Can you use baking soda on all fabrics? No. Don’t use baking soda on silk or wool. Baking soda is alkaline and can damage protein fibers. It’s safe for cotton, polyester, denim, and most other fabrics.

Can you mix baking soda and vinegar in laundry? Don’t mix them in the same cycle, as they neutralize each other. Use baking soda in the wash cycle and vinegar in the rinse cycle for the best results.

References

1. Arm and Hammer. “Baking Soda in Laundry Guide.” armandhammer.com.
2. Tide. “How to Use Baking Soda in Laundry.” tide.com.
3. The Spruce. “Baking Soda in Laundry Guide.” thespruce.com.
4. Good Housekeeping. “Laundry Boosters Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.