Using bicarbonate of soda (baking soda / sodium bicarbonate) in your washing machine is a simple, cheap way to improve cleaning and remove odors.
🧺 Why Use Bicarbonate in Laundry?
- Deodorizes – Neutralizes bad smells (sweat, mildew)
- Boosts detergent – Helps clean clothes more effectively
- Softens water – Improves washing performance in hard water
- Whitens & brightens – Keeps whites fresh and colors vibrant
🧼 How to Use It
1. For Regular Washing
- Add ½ cup baking soda directly into the drum with clothes
- Then add your normal detergent
2. For Smelly Clothes
- Use ½–1 cup baking soda
- Run a warm wash cycle
3. For Washing Machine Cleaning
- Run an empty cycle with 1 cup baking soda + hot water
- Helps remove odor and buildup
⚠️ Tips
- Don’t mix directly with vinegar in the same cycle (they neutralize each other)
- Safe for most fabrics, but avoid overuse on delicate materials
- Works best with warm or hot water
💡 Extra Trick
Use baking soda + vinegar separately:
- Wash with baking soda
- Then rinse with a small amount of vinegar in the softener compartment
👉 This helps soften clothes and remove residue
If you want, I can show a step-by-step deep clean method for your washing machine using baking soda and vinegar—it works really well.
