How do you add baking soda to your washing machine?

Author: Vada Skiles  |  Last update: Friday, November 14, 2025

Simply add a half cup of baking soda directly to your washer tub—not in the built-in soap dispenser—to help freshen and soften a load of laundry. To pretreat stains, mix equal parts baking soda and water to create a paste and apply it to the area.

How much baking soda should I add to my laundry?

Measure the Baking Soda: Use about 1/2 cup (approximately 120 grams) of baking soda for a regular load of laundry. You can adjust the amount based on the size of your load or the level of odor/stains. Add to the Wash: - Top-Loading Machines: Add the baking soda directly to the drum before adding your clothes.

Where to put soda in a washing machine?

If you put the liquid straight into the drum, put Soda Crystals into the drawer and vice versa, so the liquid doesn't cause the Crystals to clump. Remember that you can use white vinegar or citric acid in place of fabric conditioner. It helps keep your machine limescale free and your towels fluffy.

Is it better to use vinegar or baking soda in laundry?

Baking soda in the laundry can be a great addition for a natural fabric softener or controlling excess suds, while vinegar in laundry can be an amazing agent for getting those whites extra sparkling and banishing mildew odor. They help even the best laundry detergents to be more effective.

How to use baking soda in laundry for odor?

Pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine drum before you add clothes. This helps fight grime and odors right from the start. The baking soda works during the wash cycle to keep your laundry smelling fresh. For hard water areas, this method softens the water, making your detergent work better.

How to Add Baking Soda to Laundry

Can you mix baking soda and laundry detergent together?

To help whiten white and light-colored items like clothing, sheets and towels, you can use baking soda instead of bleach for a natural laundry boost. Adding baking soda along with your detergent can also help brighten colorful fabrics and may prevent white garments from yellowing.

Where do I put baking soda in my washing machine?

To help prevent or remove odors from a laundry load, add detergent to the washer's dispenser and around a half cup of baking soda to the wash tub. For tougher smells, simply create a paste using equal parts baking soda and water and work it directly onto the garment's affected area.

How long does it take for baking soda to remove odor?

This ensures that the baking soda can absorb all the odors effectively. Let the shoes sit with the baking soda inside for at least 24 hours. This will give the baking soda ample time to absorb the odors and neutralize any bacteria. After 24 hours, shake out the baking soda into the trash or sink.

Is baking soda safe for colored clothes?

Will baking soda damage colored clothes? Baking soda is unlikely to damage your colored clothes, so long as they are not made out of a delicate fiber such as wool or silk. Everyday materials such as polyester or cotton hold their color better than delicates, making them easier to wash with baking soda and water.

Does baking soda clean toilets?

If you want to skip the store-bought toilet cleansers, simply sprinkle some baking soda in the toilet bowl and give it a scrub with a toilet brush. If you find this hasn't quite done the trick, you can always use Coca-Cola. (We are not even kidding.)

Do you use hot or cold water for washing soda?

Pre-soak laundry in warm water (use cool water for non-colorfast items as well as for blood and egg stains). Use 2 tablespoons of Super Washing Soda per gallon of warm water if pre-soaking in a small tub, or use ½ cup if pre-soaking in a filled washing machine. Pre-soak for at least 30 minutes before washing.

Can I put baking soda in the dryer?

Deodorize the dryer with baking soda

Baking soda is an alkaline powder that absorbs bad smells from the dryer as well as the odor of other cleaning products.

Can you put too much baking soda in washing machine?

Although vinegar and baking soda shouldn't be harmful to your washing machine if used in moderate amounts, extreme use can impact some of the coatings on the drive shaft components, which are the parts responsible for switching cycles from agitate to spin.

What is the best natural deodorizer for laundry?

Lavender, lemon, orange, lemongrass, and eucalyptus are excellent options for a homemade laundry scent. Combine a quart of white vinegar with 30 – 40 drops of the essential oil you've selected. This mixture will be your natural laundry freshener.

How to remove bad smell from washing machine?

Baking soda and vinegar:

For both top-load and front-load washers, start by adding 1/4 cup of baking soda directly into the washer drum. Then, pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a hot wash cycle without any laundry.

How can I make my laundry smell really good?

How Can You Make Your Laundry Smell Good?
  1. Deodorize With Baking Soda.
  2. Clean Your Washing Machine.
  3. Do Smaller Loads of Laundry.
  4. Use Scent Boosters.
  5. Choose the Right Detergent.
  6. Pre-Treat Any Stains.
  7. Don't Let Wet Clothes Sit.
  8. Try Scented Dryer Balls.

What is the most powerful odor eliminator DIY?

What Is the Best Homemade Odor Eliminator: 7 DIY Solutions You Can Make Now
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Spray. This is a powerful spray that helps you tackle tough odors like pet urine and vomit. ...
  • DIY Gel Air Fresheners. ...
  • Deodorizer Disks. ...
  • Essential Oil Wax Melts. ...
  • Essential Oil Spray. ...
  • Coffee Grounds. ...
  • Vinegar Solution.

How to use baking soda in laundry?

Here are 5 easy steps to whiter whites, cleaner clothes and a new level of freshness:
  1. Place your clothes in the washer.
  2. Add ½ cup of baking soda to your washer.
  3. Add detergent, like ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters.
  4. Run the wash cycle.
  5. Add another ½ cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle.

Is vinegar or baking soda better for odor?

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, or sodium hydrogen carbonate, which is a base. Contrasting with vinegar, baking soda absorbs acidic smells. Such as spoiled food, which makes them excellent choices for refrigerators. It will absorb smells and can even be used as a breath freshener.

What happens if you use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Does baking soda make laundry smell better?

Can Baking Soda Remove Odors? Yes. Adding 1/2 cup baking soda to a top or front-loading washing machine can also help remove odors and boost bleach-whitening abilities.

Do you use baking powder or baking soda to clean washing machine?

Baking soda and baking powder are not the same. Sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are other names for baking soda. Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder can be substituted for baking soda by tripling the amount of baking powder.

Previous article
Is alcohol or bleach a better disinfectant?
Next article
In which mode should AC be kept?