Skip to main content

The 2 secret ingredients your laundry routine is missing

Using baking soda and vinegar in laundry can up your clothes game

Wicker laundry basket with multi-colored towels in laundry room
Billion Photos/Shutterstock

They’re no longer just products in your kitchen pantry! Vinegar and baking soda have become staples in the green-cleaning movement and for good reason. From brilliant cleaning hacks for deodorizing your home to deep cleaning your bathroom, these simple products have so many practical cleaning uses. Plus, since they’re toxin-free and all-natural ingredients, they give you some peace of mind when you’re cleaning your home.

Did you know, though, that vinegar and baking soda can also be staples in your laundry room? Both products act as boosters to your laundry detergent and work to get both your clothes and your machine sparkling clean. Here’s how to use baking soda and vinegar in laundry routines for game-changing results.

Benefits of using vinegar in laundry

One big advantage to adding vinegar to your laundry is that it helps clean your washing machine. It’s mildly acidic, so if you have hard water or a lot of residue buildup from laundry detergent, it can break up those particles and get your washing machine squeaky clean. One common problem with washing machines is that they eventually start to stink over the years. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer, so it can neutralize those foul washing machine odors.

Does vinegar help smelly laundry?

Not only does vinegar get those bad odors out of the washing machine, but it also deodorizes those gross smells that linger in your laundry. It’s perfect for combating smelly work clothes, activewear, and those grimy socks.

Glass jar of baking soda with cork and teaspoon tipped over.
Geo-grafika/Shutterstock

Should I add baking soda to laundry?

Baking soda has some similar benefits as vinegar, since it deodorizes and uses its abrasive powers to work off detergent residue and hard-water mineral deposits in your machine. In addition to these benefits, baking soda also makes your white clothes whiter and brightens colored fabrics. It even acts as a natural fabric softener since it helps keep mineral deposits and detergent particles away from clothes during the rinse cycle. These would ordinarily cause fabrics to feel stiff.

Can baking soda ruin clothes?

Due to the high pH in baking soda, it can make certain dyes fade, particularly with natural fibers like wool, cashmere, and silk. For these fabrics, vinegar is a better option for a natural detergent booster.

Vinegar cleaning solution with spray bottle and sponge
FotoHelin/Shutterstock

Can you use vinegar and baking soda together?

You may be tempted to combine these powerful natural ingredients to get double the deodorizing and cleaning benefits for your laundry. However, since vinegar has a low pH and baking soda has a high pH, combining the two at the same time will cause them to cancel out each other’s effects. Instead of being left with no benefits, choose one ingredient per load, or use them at different times during the washing cycle.

Father and young son putting laundry in the dryer
mediabakery

How do I use vinegar in my washing machine?

So, how do you use vinegar in your laundry routine? It’s simple, really. Load your washing machine with clothing and laundry detergent like you normally would. Then, add one cup of vinegar to the compartment for fabric softener and run the machine as normal.

How to use baking soda in laundry

Another simple laundry cleaning method, use baking soda in your routine by filling the drum partly with water and adding one cup of baking soda to the water. Add laundry detergent and clothing, and run the machine as normal.

Can I use baking soda in a front-loading washing machine?

If your washing machine is a front loader, you can simply add a cup of dry baking soda to the inside of the drum. Then, load in your clothing, add store-bought or homemade laundry detergent to the dispenser, and start the machine. Baking soda should not be added to the automatic dispenser.

Baking soda and vinegar in glass jars
focal point / Shutterstock

How to clean your washing machine with baking soda and vinegar

  1. Turn on the hottest possible water your washing machine allows.
  2. Add one cup of baking soda to the washing machine drum.
  3. Add one cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment.
  4. Run the machine’s washing cycle.

You can also scrub the inside of your machine with baking soda and a wet cloth or sponge to make the drum shine. Follow up with vinegar to wash away any remaining particles.

High-up shelves in laundry room.
Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock

Cautions for using vinegar in laundry routines

It’s important to not get overzealous when using vinegar in your laundry routine. There are specific situations where it is not recommended to use vinegar due to potential negative effects, and being mindful of these situations, you can make informed decisions about when it is appropriate to use vinegar in your laundry routine.

Don’t use vinegar with chlorine bleach

Never use vinegar when you’re also using chlorine bleach or any products containing it. This combination results in a dangerous chemical reaction that produces hazardous fumes. Those fumes can be extremely harmful and even fatal. It’s crucial to keep vinegar and chlorine bleach far apart to ensure your safety.

Use vinegar with caution when washing elastic fabrics

Stretchy fabrics t- especially those in workout gear -t shouldn’t be exposed to vinegar too often. Although this powerful cleaning agent is effective at removing odors caused by product buildup, its acidity can gradually break down elastic fibers over time. This could result in loss of elasticity and could shorten the life span of clothing that relies on stretch for fit and comfort.

Don’t use vinegar too frequently in laundry

Using vinegar as a regular part of your laundry routine is not advised due to its acidic nature. The acid can eventually cause damage to your washing machine’s seals and hoses, possibly leading to leaks and costly repairs. Front-loading washers, with their rubber gaskets around the door, are especially susceptible to this damage.

You don’t need extra chemicals to give your laundry a boost or to get your washing machine looking and smelling great. Both baking soda and vinegar are great natural products that enhance your laundry detergent’s performance to get your clothing brighter, fresher, and cleaner.

Editors' Recommendations

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
6 incredible reasons you should add plants to your home right now
Check out these science-backed reasons why you should start shopping for houseplants today
Woman sitting at home surrounded by plants

Indoor plants are having a major moment in interior design. Some of the most prominent trends and aesthetics revolve around biophilic design, which involves incorporating greenery and natural materials into your home. But being on-trend isn’t everything; there are tons of reasons why plants are important to have in the home.

From purifying the air and creating a more comfortable environment to boosting relaxation and productivity, greenery can have a massive positive impact on your living space. So why are native plants important in design? Keep reading to discover some science-backed reasons why plant you should start shopping for houseplants today!

Read more
Should you be using vinegar in your washing machine?
We weigh in on if vinegar is a good fabric softener or if it's a myth
Woman putting dirty clothes in washing machine

There are so many practical uses for white vinegar that go way beyond an ingredient for salad dressing or brining. Vinegar has long been used as a natural cleaning option, beauty product, and overall household miracle worker. You may have heard your grandparents offering advice to use vinegar for nearly any household obstacle. And to this day, many people tout its numerous benefits, uses, and applications. If you want an idea of some of the incredible ways white vinegar can benefit you and your household, we'll list a few below.

Just a few of the many out-of-box uses for white vinegar:

Read more
What to grow in your apartment balcony vegetable garden
Gardens aren't just for houses — here's how to start one at your apartment
Balcony garden with watering can

Planting your own vegetable garden can reap many benefits. For one, consuming more fruits and vegetables is key when you are trying to eat right, get into shape, and stay healthy overall. Plus, growing produce in your own garden means the vegetables have a higher vitamin content than those you get at the market. Your garden's vegetables are also free from harmful chemicals such as pesticides.

Another great perk to growing your own fruits and vegetables is that it saves you money on groceries. And yet another perk: Gardening can be a natural stress reliever because being outside and getting fresh air and sunshine can improve your mood and make you feel rejuvenated.

Read more