Baking Soda for Washing Clothes: What Works and What to Avoid

You want to use baking soda for washing clothes and get the best results. Maybe you’ve heard that baking soda boosts cleaning power, deodorizes clothes, or softens fabric. Baking soda is a versatile laundry booster that can improve your results when used correctly. Here’s what works and what to avoid when using baking soda for washing clothes.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a natural alkaline compound that boosts detergent performance, deodorizes clothes, softens water, and brightens colors. It works by raising the pH of the wash water, which makes detergent more effective. The key to using baking soda in laundry is adding the right amount, adding it to the right cycle, and not using it on fabrics that are sensitive to alkaline.

To use baking soda for washing clothes, add half a cup to the wash drum with Tide Free and Gentle, use it with OxiClean for extra stain removal, add vinegar to the rinse to balance pH, and use it for deodorizing and brightening. Don’t use baking soda on silk or wool, don’t use too much, and don’t use it as a replacement for detergent.

What Works

Boosts Cleaning Power

Baking soda raises the pH of the wash water, making detergent more effective. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash with Tide Free and Gentle.

Deodorizes Clothes

Baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors. Add half a cup to the wash for sweaty gym clothes, musty towels, or smelly work clothes.

Softens Water

Baking soda softens hard water, which helps detergent work better and prevents mineral buildup on clothes. Add half a cup to the wash if you have hard water.

Brightens Colors

Baking soda helps brighten colors by removing dulling residue. Add half a cup to the wash for colored clothes.

Brightens Whites

Baking soda helps brighten whites by removing yellowing residue. Add half a cup to the wash with OxiClean for white loads.

Removes Stains

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to stains, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive.

Cleans the Machine

Baking soda can help clean the washer. Run an empty hot cycle with 1 cup of baking soda to remove odors and residue. Follow with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

Works with Other Products

Baking soda works well with:

• Tide Free and Gentle (detergent)
• OxiClean Max Force Spray (stain remover)
• Dawn Ultra Dish Soap (grease remover)
• Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam (food stain remover)
• Lysol Laundry Sanitizer (disinfectant)
• White vinegar (rinse additive)

What to Avoid

Don’t Use on Silk or Wool

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

Don’t Use Too Much

Using too much baking soda can leave a residue on clothes and make them feel stiff. Use half a cup per load. Don’t use more than 1 cup.

Don’t Use as a Detergent Replacement

Baking soda is a booster, not a detergent. It doesn’t contain surfactants to break down dirt and oil. Always use it with Tide Free and Gentle.

Don’t Mix with Vinegar in the Wash

Baking soda and vinegar neutralize each other. Add baking soda to the wash and vinegar to the rinse. Don’t add them at the same time.

Don’t Use on Delicate Fabrics

Baking soda can be too harsh for delicate fabrics. Use a gentle detergent without baking soda for delicates.

Don’t Use on Flame-Resistant Fabrics

Baking soda can affect the flame-resistant coating on children’s sleepwear. Don’t use baking soda on flame-resistant fabrics.

How to Use Baking Soda for Different Laundry Needs

Laundry Need	How to Use Baking Soda	Amount	Cycle
Deodorizing	Add to wash with detergent	1/2 cup	Hot water
Brightening whites	Add to wash with OxiClean	1/2 cup	Hot water
Softening water	Add to wash with detergent	1/2 cup	Any
Stain removal	Make paste, apply to stain	Paste	Pre-treat
Machine cleaning	Run empty cycle	1 cup	Hot water
Smelly towels	Soak in baking soda solution	1 cup	Soak 30 min

Baking Soda Laundry Routine

Daily

1. Sort clothes by color and fabric
2. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle
3. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash
4. Pre-treat stains with OxiClean, Dawn, or Shout
5. Wash in the right water temperature
6. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse
7. Dry using the right method

Monthly

1. Run an empty hot cycle with 1 cup of baking soda
2. Run a second cycle with affresh
3. Wipe the rubber seal, dispenser, and drum
4. Leave the door open

FAQ

Can you use baking soda for washing clothes? Yes. Baking soda boosts cleaning power, deodorizes clothes, softens water, and brightens colors. Add half a cup to the wash with Tide Free and Gentle.

How much baking soda should you add to laundry? Add half a cup of baking soda per load. Don’t use more than 1 cup. For stain removal, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply directly to the stain.

Can you use baking soda on all fabrics? No. Don’t use baking soda on silk, wool, cashmere, or flame-resistant fabrics. Baking soda is alkaline and can damage protein fibers.

Can you mix baking soda and vinegar in the wash? No. Baking soda and vinegar neutralize each other. Add baking soda to the wash and vinegar to the rinse.

Does baking soda replace laundry detergent? No. Baking soda is a booster, not a detergent. It doesn’t contain surfactants. Always use it with Tide Free and Gentle.

References

1. Arm and Hammer. “Baking Soda Laundry Guide.” armandhammer.com.
2. Tide. “Laundry Booster Guide.” tide.com.
3. The Spruce. “Baking Soda for Laundry.” thespruce.com.
4. Good Housekeeping. “Laundry Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.