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Should You Add Baking Soda To Your Laundry Load?
By MICHELLE ROBERTS-GARCIA
Finding simple but helpful hacks for your laundry is always a perk. If you're tired of finishing a load of laundry only to feel like some items are still grimy or lackluster, there's a trick out there for you — and it might already be sitting in your pantry.
According to Arm and Hammer, baking soda helps to keep pH levels in your fabrics balanced, which then prevents odors from sticking to the fibers, thanks to the sodium bicarbonate. Neutralizing smells is important because over time fabrics can hold on to potent scents.
When laundry detergent builds up on your clothing, the residue absorbs bad odors, making it harder to get rid of them the more you wash. By using baking soda mixed with ½ a cup of your liquid detergent, the granules will boost the effectiveness of the latter, while ensuring it doesn't accumulate on the fibers.
Adding baking soda to your bleach boosts its whitening power, and all you need is ¼ to ½ cup of baking powder to see results. Additionally, baking soda is also a great alternative for fabric softener since it balances the pH of water, and reduces mineral build-up while being gentle on sensitive skin.