The Benefits of Baking Soda for Laundry
Baking soda is made up of calcium carbonate and rock salt. It is an alkaline product that acts on the pH of the water to improve washing, reduces limescale in the water to revive colors and soften laundry, and dissolves some grease to remove stubborn stains. This white powder, also known as sodium bicarbonate, has whitening and softening properties and is used to maintain white laundry. We’ll tell you how How to use baking soda to bleach laundry by hand.
How do you use baking soda to bleach laundry by hand?
Some textiles are fragile and cannot be machine washed. To whiten laundry by hand with this do-it-all powder, follow these simple steps:
Check out more grandma’s tricks for laundering laundry without using bleach.
Additional Tips for Optimal Whitening
To bleach your laundry with baking soda, it is recommended to take into account some tips:
Recommended Soaking Time
For the effectiveness of baking soda to be optimal, it is advisable to soak your laundry overnight in the solution before using a detergent. The soaking time required will depend mainly on the condition of the garment. By default, half an hour may be enough as mentioned in the steps above.
Water temperature for a better effect
For optimal bleaching, it is advisable to opt for warm water when pre-soaking, especially when it comes to smelly, very dirty and sweat-prone clothes.
Frequency of use of baking soda
There is no ideal frequency of using baking soda for laundry. It can be used whenever needed, whether for machine washing or hand washing.
Precautions to take when using baking soda on laundry
Types of fabrics to avoid
Due to its high pH, baking soda can damage delicate fabrics such as cashmere, silk or wool. It is therefore advisable to use a small amount of this white powder to prevent discoloration.
Baking soda storage
To better store baking soda, it is advisable to put it in an airtight container and place it in a place at room temperature. By leaving it in a half-open box in your kitchen, for example, it absorbs odors and moisture.
Interactions with other bleaching products
While baking soda can work on its own in many cases, it may be most effective when combined with other ingredients. For example, it can be mixed with laundry detergent to increase the effect of laundry detergent.
It is also excellent for softening fabrics. For more effectiveness, you can supplement its softening properties with white vinegar. Simply avoid mixing the two ingredients since their effect is likely to cancel each other out. So use them separately.
As you’ve probably noticed, baking soda is a staple of household chores. For your white laundry, it is even more so an ally of choice.
F.A.Q
How do you bleach yellowed laundry with white vinegar and baking soda?
When using white vinegar as an additional cleaner, we advise you to first soak the laundry in hot water and baking soda as specified above. If the result is not optimal, you can soak your item in another basin by mixing 1/5 vinegar and 4/5 water.
Can we useR Baking soda to revive the white and colors of the linen?
As a product with a versatile action, baking soda is also an effective stain remover that has the virtue of giving more shine to white linen and reviving the colors of your clothes that have become dull over time. Rinse clothes thoroughly and carefully before washing in the washing machine or by hand.
How do you make a garment white with baking soda and detergent?
If you want to use baking soda in combination with detergent, the washing process is no more “complicated” than usual (whether in the machine or by hand). If it’s in the washing machine, pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the drum and then add the usual amount of detergent to the laundry tray. For hand washing, mix the same amount of baking soda and detergent in a basin filled with water and soak your clothes in it for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. This restores your items to their original whiteness.
