Everyone has a box of baking soda that they use for different needs at home. Besides baking and as part of a household cleaner, it is also a great laundry tool. See the benefits of baking soda and how to wash your clothes better without any chemical additives.
Removes odors in the bathroom
The odors in our clothes and underwear are caused by bacteria on our body. Bacteria are removed when detergent molecules remove bacterial cells from fabrics. However, some detergents aren't as powerful, and that's where baking soda comes in. This helps regulate the pH in the water. Add only 1/2 cup of baking soda to each washing machine, and detergents will work more effectively to reduce bacteria.
For heavy odors such as sweat or cigarette smoke, use baking soda and water as a pre-freeze. Dissolve 1 cup or 2 cups of baking soda in warm water. Let the clothes soak overnight and then wash as usual.
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If you have clothes that need freshening but not washing, place them in a box of open baking soda, which will absorb the odor.
Improves whiteness effect
Chlorine bleach is an effective treatment for heavily soiled white clothing. In water that is too acidic or alkaline, it needs help to work more efficiently.
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Add 1/2 cup of baking soda along with every half cup of bleaching agent to adjust the pH level in the water.
Natural softener
Baking soda helps regulate the pH of washing machine rinse water when it is too acidic or alkaline. Adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to each rinse cycle balances this water and makes laundry softer and more pleasant to the touch.
Along with this, baking soda is a great softener substitute if anyone has sensitive skin and allergies in the family.
Cleaning the iron
Soda is a natural and delicate abrasive material. To remove accumulated deposits from an iron plate, make a baking soda paste with bread and water. Using a white cloth, gently rub the paste and then wipe. If the stain persists, wipe the plate with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.
Now your iron will glide smoothly, making ironing easier and leaving no marks.
Clean your washing machine
Before running the washing machine, run a full cycle on the highest temperature setting of 1 cup of soda. This will disinfect and improve its functionality.
Cleaning the washing machine from scale, dirt and unpleasant odors
During service, lime and calcium salts are deposited on the heating element, leading to breakdowns. Because of them, the machine fails. Plaque forms when using intensive washing and high temperatures. The condition of the device is worsened by low-quality powder containing aggressive chemical elements. Dirt, fabric fibers, and debris accumulate on the washing machine. In an unfavorable environment, a fungus forms, which manifests itself as a putrid odor inside the device. Filters and hoses rot, and the machine cannot be used. Regular cleaning with sodium bicarbonate reduces the likelihood of damage. A clean heating element heats up faster to the set temperature, saving energy.
The chemical element neutralizes calcium salts and makes water softer. Sodium bicarbonate is considered a gentle, non-toxic agent that effectively acts on scale and grease.
Kitchen sodium bicarbonate is used for cleaning and disinfection. For deep professional cleaning, soda ash is used. The element contains strong alkalis and is considered aggressive.
To enhance the effect of regular baking soda, the following components are additionally used: vinegar, citric acid. The result appears after the first procedure if the products are used correctly.
Why is soda better?
It is a natural effective remedy that has deodorizing and cleansing properties. Soda is absolutely safe for anyone, including children, and does not cause an allergic reaction. Its characteristic feature is the neutralization of acid and other compounds, which makes the water much softer. In addition, washing with soda has a number of advantages over other means:
- it enhances the effect of washing powder;
- does not destroy the structure of the fabric;
- effectively removes old greasy stains;
- eliminates stagnant unpleasant odor from clothes.
Soda powder is a very practical thing, because in addition to washing, it can be used to clean the washing machine; it does not have a negative effect on the complex machine mechanism.
When washing with very hard water, it is better to use soda ash.
Precautions when working with soda
Soda ash is a caustic alkali that requires careful precautions:
- Always work with the product while wearing gloves.
- Keep caustic containers tightly closed and store them in hard-to-reach places.
- Avoid contact of the substance with skin, respiratory tract and mucous membranes.
- Observe storage conditions. Soda is stored in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place. It is better to pour powder from cardboard boxes into containers with tight lids - this way you will protect it from getting wet and spilling.
When working with soda powder, it is a good idea to ventilate the room after finishing work.
Read the article about where soda ash is used.
How to properly wash with baking soda
The amount of this product, as well as the method of use, depends on the degree of contamination of things, and on what result is desired. Using baking soda, as an added bonus, will help keep your washing machine clean.
- To lighten an item, you need to use two ingredients - soda powder and ammonia. Pour 5 liters of warm water into a basin, dilute 5 tablespoons of soda, 2 tablespoons of ammonia. Soak white items in this mixture, then rinse the clothes and place them in the washing machine. To achieve an ideal result, you can add a little more product to the drum, depending on the volume of soaked laundry. Wash at a temperature of no more than 50 degrees. After this procedure, things will become white and acquire a fresh aroma.
- To wash kitchen towels, you can use the following recipe. Grind a small piece of laundry soap on a coarse grater and mix it with a handful of soda powder. Fill the basin halfway with water, dissolve the mixture here, put towels, and leave for a couple of hours. Then put them in the drum along with soap and soda water. Wash at 80-90 degrees, with the addition of washing powder
- You can remove grease stains from clothes by soaking them in a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, laundry detergent and bleach. The proportions are taken the same, their volume depends on the amount of clothes that need to be washed. Dilute all components in 5-7 liters of hot water, put things there. When the water has cooled, wash them by adding two tablespoons of baking soda powder to the drum. Wash at 40-50 degrees, rinse twice if necessary.
- The following method is successfully used to eliminate unpleasant odors. Load things into the machine, 100 gr. Pour baking soda directly into the drum. For best effect, add the same amount of white vinegar. For large quantities of items, the product volume can be increased to a full glass.
- To enhance the effect of washing powder, many housewives simply combine it with soda; the items can first be soaked in a soda solution. After that, load the laundry and wash as usual.
Washing with laundry soap and soda
The ideal product for caring for natural fabrics is 72% laundry soap. During the washing process, it not only carefully cleans fabrics, but also softens things, giving softness to hard materials.
- For machine wash, use 25-50 g. pre-grated soap mixed with 1 tsp. soda
- For hand washing, use 50 g. soap shavings and 3 tbsp. washing soda.
For colored items, a mixture of baking soda and green tea will be a good cleaning agent - it will gently clean the fabric without damaging its color:
- Add 50 g to boiling water. laundry soap shavings. Boil the mixture until the ingredients are completely dissolved. Don't forget to stir constantly.
- Add 100 gr. soda ash, then pour in 100-150 g. decoction of regular green tea. Do not use tea with flavorings or additives.
- Let the solution cool and pour it into the drum of the machine. A full load will require about 100 ml. solution.
How to use baking soda in the washing machine
Washing is an integral household procedure in every family. Any woman strives to ensure that her clothes are spotlessly clean, smell nice and remain aesthetically pleasing for a long time. Unfortunately, not all products sold in stores can guarantee such a result, and they are very expensive. Experienced housewives go to great lengths to achieve the desired effect and save money. Various methods and simple means are used that are always at hand. For example, baking soda or soda ash. By adding baking soda during washing, you can gently clean clothes and remove stubborn stains and odors.
This product has long been valued for its many useful qualities in the household. Our grandmothers used it in different areas: for washing dishes, brushing teeth, treating coughs and, of course, for doing laundry. When washing things, it can be used either in its original form or combined with other components. It is even used when washing clothes for newborns, especially if they have allergies. Excellent for hand washing, but whether it is possible to add soda to an automatic washing machine, you need to figure it out.
How to wash with soda ash
Soda ash is produced for household needs - it is used to clean dishes, tiles, plumbing fixtures, and is used for washing clothes. Compared to food, it has a greater alkaline reaction, and accordingly, its cleaning and disinfecting qualities are much higher.
Soda ash is not consumed as food, so it must be stored separately from food.
Baking soda will also help soften the fabric, enhance the effect of the powder and keep whites white. This product is very effective at eliminating mold, mildew, old stains, and unpleasant old odors. When using soda ash, you must strictly follow the instructions. A large concentration of the solution or a long time of keeping things in it can irreversibly damage them - the alkali will simply corrode the structure of the fabric.
How to properly wash with baking soda
The amount of this product, as well as the method of use, depends on the degree of contamination of things, and on what result is desired. Using baking soda, as an added bonus, will help keep your washing machine clean.
- To lighten an item, you need to use two ingredients - soda powder and ammonia. Pour 5 liters of warm water into a basin, dilute 5 tablespoons of soda, 2 tablespoons of ammonia. Soak white items in this mixture, then rinse the clothes and place them in the washing machine. To achieve an ideal result, you can add a little more product to the drum, depending on the volume of soaked laundry. Wash at a temperature of no more than 50 degrees. After this procedure, things will become white and acquire a fresh aroma.
- To wash kitchen towels, you can use the following recipe. Grind a small piece of laundry soap on a coarse grater and mix it with a handful of soda powder. Fill the basin halfway with water, dissolve the mixture here, put towels, and leave for a couple of hours. Then put them in the drum along with soap and soda water. Wash at 80-90 degrees, with the addition of washing powder
- You can remove grease stains from clothes by soaking them in a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, laundry detergent and bleach. The proportions are taken the same, their volume depends on the amount of clothes that need to be washed. Dilute all components in 5-7 liters of hot water, put things there. When the water has cooled, wash them by adding two tablespoons of baking soda powder to the drum. Wash at 40-50 degrees, rinse twice if necessary.
- The following method is successfully used to eliminate unpleasant odors. Load things into the machine, 100 gr. Pour baking soda directly into the drum. For best effect, add the same amount of white vinegar. For large quantities of items, the product volume can be increased to a full glass.
- To enhance the effect of washing powder, many housewives simply combine it with soda; the items can first be soaked in a soda solution. After that, load the laundry and wash as usual.
Washing clothes with soda and salt
For white things that have lost color due to time or dirt, many housewives prepare a soda-salt solution. Washing with soda and salt is suitable for both underwear and curtains or other home textiles.
- Take 1.5 tbsp. soda ash, 2 tbsp. table salt and a pinch of washing powder for white laundry.
- Mix all the ingredients in a basin with warm water, soak tulle or other textiles in the solution. You need to soak for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, you will need to rinse under running water.
Cleaning the washing machine with soda
An unpleasant odor from washed items or poor quality washing may be caused by the poor condition of the machine. After all, like any equipment, it requires careful handling and care. You can clean your faithful assistant with baking soda or soda ash. The cleaning process is simple:
- Mix baking soda and water in equal proportions;
- Treat the drum and the rubber cuff with the resulting mixture, under which the source of the unpleasant odor most often accumulates, leave for half an hour;
- Remove the mixture with a damp cloth and wipe the parts thoroughly;
- run a “idle” wash, that is, without laundry, adding soda to the powder compartment.
This method will help clean the drum and machine parts from lime and deposits.
Bleaching with soda solutions
To get rid of yellowness, a combination of “Whiteness” and sodium bicarbonate is used. To effectively bleach things, it is recommended to adhere to the following proportions - add 25 grams per 100 ml of chemical preparation. baking soda.
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Add water as indicated by the manufacturers (carefully study the label on the drug; the amount of water may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer).
The duration of the bleaching process also depends on the requirements of the manufacturers. You should not exceed the process time or experiment with exceeding dosages - such actions will affect the wear resistance of the products.
It is also recommended to get rid of yellow stains by using a mixture of baking soda and a pharmaceutical preparation (hydrogen peroxide). The product is easy to prepare - combine sodium bicarbonate (25 g) and medicine (15 ml).
Dilute the pulp with liquid (3-5 liters of water). If there are persistent greasy stains, additionally apply a slurry of components taken in equal parts onto the stain and rub. Leave in for 2-3 hours. Wash as usual.
Complete the bleaching process with regular washing and rinsing in several waters. If you used a washing machine, select the desired mode and turn on the extra rinse.
Tips and tricks for using baking soda powder
There are some practical tips regarding the use of this simple remedy:
- if there is no need to bleach and deodorize things, the product can be used as a conditioner; it will give clothes extraordinary softness;
- its use is an excellent alternative to many expensive powders; it will not only give good results, but also save money;
- wash linen and cotton items with soda;
- Clothes made of silk, wool, and lace items cannot be washed with this product;
- if the water is very hard, add more soda ash, wash at a temperature of at least 50 degrees.
From all of the above, it is clear that such a product should be one of the most necessary attributes of a household. With its help, every housewife can easily keep her things and the things of her family clean and tidy.
What fabrics can it be used with?
Before you start washing clothes with soda, you should find out what types of fabrics this product can be used with.
- Cotton and linen fabrics. They tolerate alkaline environments well, so using caustic soda can easily remove any contaminants from them.
- Synthetic materials. When washing synthetics, you should be careful - too much baking soda will damage the synthetic fibers.
Fabrics that cannot be washed with soda:
- Wool and silk fabrics.
- Clothing made of membrane or things with a special water-repellent coating.
