Should You Wash Laundry With Baking Soda?
So you’re wondering, should you wash your laundry with baking soda? That’s the real question, and the answer is not a cut-and-dry one. As a matter of fact, it’s a little – well, maybe a lot – more scientific than just yes or no.
For starters, we need to understand that baking soda has a pH of 9. So the real problem you need to determine is whether your water is acidic (Below 7 on the pH scale) or alkaline (Above 7 on the pH scale). Once you know this, then you can determine whether adding baking soda to your laundry is necessary.
What Should My Water’s pH Be?
Next, you need to know what the pH should be to get the most out of your laundry detergent. After all, that’s what the baking soda is doing, it’s helping to change the pH in your water so that your detergent works better.
For the ideal wash, you want the pH to be more neutral rather than too high or too low. That’s why, a pH of 7-10 is recommended for laundry.
Therefore, if your water is acidic (Low in PH, below 7) then you could add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your washer drum for a front load, and on top of the load of laundry in a traditional top load washer.
Can Baking Soda Damage My Laundry?
Baking soda, vinegar, bleach, and even laundry detergent all alter the pH of your water. So, they all have the potential to damage your laundry over time if not necessary or used in the incorrect amounts. That’s why we always recommend that you follow the detergent’s label and use only the recommended amount based on your load size.
- Vinegar (pH 3) can break down fibers such as linen, cotton, rayon, or nylon.
- Baking soda (pH 9) can harm fibers like silk, wool, and cashmere. Plus, if used in the rinse cycle it can make the fabric hard and rough.
- Bleach (pH 11-13) when used in hard water can cause irreversible yellowing of your fabrics. Also, if used on certain fabrics it can cause damage over time as well.
- Laundry Detergent (pH 7-10) When used in the incorrect amounts, can cause a build-up of detergent on the fibers which will cause them to break down faster.
In Summary
The answer to whether you should wash your laundry with baking soda is one you will have to make. However, we hope this information will prove helpful in making your decision. Remember to always follow the package directions when doing your laundry or using any types of chemicals, and if in doubt, test it on a few items first, or don’t do it at all.
