Washing Clothes with Bicarbonate of Soda: How to Use It Safely

Washing clothes with bicarbonate of soda has become a familiar habit in many households, especially for anyone who wants a better clean without turning to harsher products. This straightforward ingredient is used to boost how well washing powder works and to tackle loads where a standard wash does not deliver the result you expect, helping you care for garments without fully replacing detergent.

How does bicarbonate of soda work on fabric fibres?

Bicarbonate of soda is a mildly alkaline salt which, when dissolved in water, helps neutralise acids found in sweat, food residues and strong smells. By lowering that acidity, it supports the cleaning agents in your washing powder and makes it easier for dirt to lift away from the fibres, improving the wash outcome for more heavily worn items.

This effect is particularly helpful for clothing that tends to hold onto odours, such as gym kit, socks and uniforms, because it chemically neutralises the molecules responsible for unpleasant smells. In areas with harder water, bicarbonate of soda can also help fabrics feel softer by reducing stiffness caused by minerals, while making rinsing more effective.

Why is washing clothes with bicarbonate of soda so widely recommended?

The reason bicarbonate of soda is often recommended in laundry routines is that it reinforces cleaning, helps tackle bad smells and can be gentler on fabrics over time. Used in suitable amounts, it works alongside ordinary washing powder on older light stains, deodorant build-up and odours that do not fully disappear after the first wash, without being as aggressive as strong bleaches.

In many home routines, it has become a simple trick for improving more challenging washes. In these cases, it can be added in different ways, tailoring the approach to the garment type and how dirty the load is, as in the examples below:

• Reducing lingering odours in sportswear, towels and heavily sweat-soaked items;
• Helping to lift light sweat and deodorant marks in areas such as underarms;
• Softening water to aid rinsing and reduce fabric stiffness;
• Boosting the performance of washing powder in very full loads.

How to use bicarbonate of soda in the washing machine and for handwashing?

In practice, using bicarbonate of soda is straightforward and can be adapted for both machine washing and handwashing. For average-capacity machines, it is commonly suggested to use about 2 to 4 tablespoons per cycle, always alongside your usual washing powder and in line with your washer manufacturer’s guidance to avoid unnecessary excess.

For handwashing, 1 to 2 tablespoons in a medium bucket of water is usually enough, as long as it is fully dissolved before you soak the garments. In both cases, it is best not to leave items in contact with it for too long, to rinse thoroughly, and to check you are not dealing with delicate fabrics or care instructions that advise against using additives.

Which clothes benefit most from using bicarbonate of soda?

Bicarbonate of soda typically delivers the best results on cotton items, denim, bedding, towels and frequently worn clothing that readily absorbs sweat. Synthetic sports fabrics can also benefit, provided you follow the care label, because neutralising unpleasant odours is one of the main advantages of this everyday approach.

For delicate materials such as silk, wool, fine embroidery or garments labelled dry clean only, it is better to avoid using it and to choose suitable specialist products or professional cleaning. Used in moderation-around 1 or 2 washes per week-and focused on heavier loads or very sweaty items, bicarbonate of soda tends to be a reliable helper, extending that fresh-laundry feeling without excessive wear to the fibres.