In today’s world where environmental consciousness and sustainable living are becoming increasingly important, many people are seeking alternative ways to clean their homes and maintain their clothing.
One such method involves using vinegar and baking soda, two common household items that have been revered for their cleaning abilities for generations.
This article will explore the numerous benefits and practical applications of using vinegar and baking soda in your laundry routine.
What does vinegar and baking soda do in laundry?
First, know that you can definitely use vinegar and baking soda for laundry.
They both offer various benefits and can be used separately or together (not combined though, unless you’re cleaning the drain) to improve the overall cleanliness and freshness of your clothes.
Here’s a brief overview of what each ingredient does for laundry:
Vinegar:
- Acts as a natural fabric softener, making your clothes feel soft and comfortable without the need for chemical-laden fabric softeners.
- Neutralizes and eliminates unpleasant odors from your clothing, leaving them smelling fresh.
- Brighten and revive the colors in your garments.
- Reduce static cling in clothes which can be especially helpful during the dry winter months.
- Offers antimicrobial properties which can help to kill some bacteria and mildew on your clothes.
Baking soda:
- Can enhance the cleaning power of your regular laundry detergent, making it more effective at removing stains and dirt.
- It is excellent at absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant odors in your laundry.
- Can help to soften hard water, improving the effectiveness of your laundry detergent and preventing mineral buildup on your clothes.
- Can be used as a gentle pre-treatment for various stains, such as grease, oil and perspiration, without damaging the fabric.
Is vinegar and baking soda better than laundry detergent?
Vinegar and baking soda are not necessarily better than laundry detergent, but they can be excellent alternatives or supplements to traditional laundry detergents for specific purposes.
They are natural, eco-friendly and inexpensive cleaning agents that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of your laundry routine.
However, laundry detergents are specifically formulated to remove dirt and stains from fabrics effectively.
They contain surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate and lift dirt from your clothes.
Detergents also have enzymes that break down protein-based stains, like blood, grass and food.
Additionally, they may contain optical brighteners that make your whites appear whiter and your colors more vibrant.
A good quality laundry detergent offers the following benefits over vinegar and baking soda:
- Comprehensive cleaning: Laundry detergents are designed to provide a thorough cleaning of your clothes by effectively breaking down and removing various types of stains and dirt.
- Enzymatic action: The enzymes present in laundry detergents help to break down protein-based stains, which vinegar and baking soda may not be as effective at handling.
- Improved stain removal: Laundry detergents often contain stain-fighting ingredients that target specific types of stains, such as grease, oil and ink, which may not be as easily removed by vinegar and baking soda alone.
- Convenience: Laundry detergents come in various forms, such as liquid, powder, and pods, making them easy and convenient to use.
While vinegar and baking soda can be excellent additions to your laundry routine, they may not fully replace a good quality laundry detergent for optimal cleaning results.
However, using vinegar and baking soda in conjunction with laundry detergent can create a powerful cleaning combination that tackles stains, odors and overall cleanliness more effectively than using either ingredient alone.
Can vinegar and baking soda help banish laundry odor?
Yes, both vinegar and baking soda can help banish laundry odors effectively.
They work as natural deodorizers and can eliminate unpleasant smells in your clothes without the need for harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
Vinegar, particularly white distilled vinegar, has acidic properties that help neutralize and eliminate odors.
It is especially effective against musty smells, mildew and sweat odors.
Vinegar can also help to remove any lingering detergent residue, which can sometimes cause unpleasant odors.
Baking soda on the other hand, is a natural odor absorber and can neutralize a wide range of smells in your laundry.
When used separately or together, vinegar and baking soda can effectively banish laundry odors and leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
However, it’s important to note that if your clothes have persistent or strong odors, you may need to repeat the process or use additional methods, such as airing them out in the sun or using a specialized odor-eliminating detergent to fully remove the smell.
Can vinegar and baking soda work for stains on clothes?
Yes, vinegar and baking soda can work effectively on certain types of stains on clothes.
They can be used separately or together to help remove or lessen the appearance of stains.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of stains they can tackle and how they work to remove them:
Vinegar:
Mild acid-based stains: Vinegar is effective in removing mild acid-based stains like coffee, tea and fruit juices. The acetic acid in vinegar helps break down the stain, making it easier to wash out.
Sweat and deodorant stains: Vinegar can dissolve and remove the aluminum salts and proteins found in sweat and deodorant stains on clothing, especially on white fabrics.
Color bleeding: Vinegar can help set dyes in fabric, preventing colors from bleeding and potentially removing color transfer stains.
To use vinegar for stain removal, apply undiluted white distilled vinegar directly to the stain or mix it with an equal amount of water for delicate fabrics.
Let it sit for a few minutes before washing the garment as usual.
Baking soda:
Grease and oil stains: Baking soda can help absorb and lift grease and oil stains from fabrics. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then brush it off and launder the garment as usual.
Perspiration stains: Baking soda can help remove yellowing caused by perspiration and body oils. Create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the stained area, and let it sit for an hour before washing.
Vinegar and baking soda together:
Combination stains: Mixing vinegar and baking soda can create a powerful cleaning solution for tackling combination stains, such as those containing both protein and grease elements.
Apply baking soda to the stain, then spray or pour vinegar over the baking soda, causing a fizzy reaction. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a brush before washing.
While vinegar and baking soda can be effective on certain types of stains, they might not work as well on more stubborn or deeply set stains.
In such cases, using a stain remover specifically designed for that type of stain or pre-treating the stain with a laundry detergent containing enzymes can be more effective.
Can vinegar and baking soda work for mold and mildew on clothes?
Yes, vinegar and baking soda can be effective in removing mold and mildew from clothes.
Both ingredients have properties that help eliminate mold and mildew while deodorizing the garments.
Here’s how to use them:
Vinegar:
White distilled vinegar has natural antimicrobial properties that can help kill mold and mildew spores.
To treat moldy clothes, add one cup of vinegar to a bucket of warm water and soak the clothes for an hour.
You can also add 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar directly to the washing machine during the rinse cycle to help kill mold and mildew.
For stubborn mold stains, you can apply undiluted white vinegar directly to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently scrub the fabric before washing it.
Baking soda:
Baking soda can help to remove mold and mildew odors by absorbing the moisture that encourages their growth.
To treat moldy clothes, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your washing machine along with your regular detergent. Alternatively, you can pre-soak the clothes in a solution of 1/2 cup of baking soda dissolved in a gallon of warm water for 30 minutes to an hour before washing.
Vinegar and baking soda together:
Combining vinegar and baking soda can create a powerful mold and mildew cleaning solution.
First, pre-soak the clothes in a vinegar solution as mentioned earlier. Then, wash the garments using your regular detergent and add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washing machine.
This combination can help to kill mold and mildew spores, remove stains and eliminate odors.
Please note that some fabrics are more delicate and may not tolerate undiluted vinegar or vigorous scrubbing.
Always test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the garment before applying it to the mold or mildew stain.
If the mold or mildew problem persists after treatment, you may need to consider using a specialized mold and mildew remover or seek professional help for delicate or valuable garments.
How to use vinegar and baking soda in laundry
Here’s how to incorporate vinegar and baking soda into your laundry process:
Pre-treatment for stains
For baking soda: Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the stained area and let it sit for 15-30 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the severity of the stain. Gently scrub the area with a brush, then wash the garment as usual.
For vinegar: Apply undiluted white distilled vinegar directly to the stain or dilute with an equal amount of water for delicate fabrics. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash the garment as usual.
Enhancing detergent effectiveness
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your washing machine along with your regular detergent. The baking soda will help to soften hard water, boost the cleaning power of your detergent and neutralize odors.
Deodorizing and softening fabrics
Add 1/2 to 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle or the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine. The vinegar will act as a natural fabric softener, deodorizer, and brightener. It can also help to remove any residual detergent from your clothes, which can cause odors or skin irritation.
Combining vinegar and baking soda for a powerful cleaning solution:
Pre-soak your clothes in a solution of 1 cup of vinegar mixed with a gallon of warm water for 30 minutes to an hour. This will help to loosen dirt and stains.
Wash the garments using your regular detergent, adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washing machine.
How to use vinegar and baking soda for Gym clothes and Towels
Gym clothes and towels tend to accumulate sweat, bacteria and odors more than regular clothes, making them ideal candidates for the cleaning and deodorizing power of vinegar and baking soda.
Here’s how to use these natural cleaning agents to refresh your gym clothes and towels:
Pre-soak
- Fill a bucket or sink with warm water, add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar, and mix well.
- Soak your gym clothes and towels in the vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This will help to loosen dirt, sweat, and odor-causing bacteria, as well as neutralize any unpleasant smells.
Washing
- After pre-soaking, transfer your gym clothes and towels to the washing machine.
- Add your regular detergent and 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash. Baking soda will help boost the cleaning power of your detergent, neutralize odors, and soften hard water, which can improve the effectiveness of your laundry detergent.
- If your gym clothes are made of delicate fabrics or have special care instructions, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for washing and drying.
Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle
To further eliminate odors, brighten colors and soften fabrics, add 1/2 to 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle or the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine. This will also help remove any residual detergent, which can sometimes cause odors or skin irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does baking soda and vinegar remove stains from white clothes?
Yes, baking soda and vinegar can help remove stains from white clothes. Both ingredients have natural cleaning properties that can effectively tackle various types of stains, brighten whites, and remove odors.
Here’s how to use baking soda and vinegar for stain removal on white clothes:
Baking soda
For sweat and perspiration stains: Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the stained area, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour. Gently scrub the area with a brush, then wash the garment as usual.
For grease and oil stains: Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain, allowing it to absorb the grease for about 15-30 minutes. Brush off the baking soda, and then wash the garment as usual.
Vinegar
For mild acid-based stains (coffee, tea, fruit juices): Apply undiluted white distilled vinegar directly to the stain, or dilute it with an equal amount of water for delicate fabrics. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash the garment as usual.
For sweat and deodorant stains: Pour undiluted white distilled vinegar onto the stained area, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before washing the garment as usual.
Vinegar and baking soda together
For combination stains, apply baking soda to the stain, then spray or pour vinegar over the baking soda, causing a fizzy reaction. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a brush before washing.
In addition to stain removal, you can use vinegar and baking soda to brighten your white clothes.
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your washing machine along with your regular detergent to help remove dirt and stains, then add 1/2 to 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle to help brighten and whiten your whites.
While baking soda and vinegar can be effective in removing stains and brightening white clothes, they might not work as well on more stubborn or deeply set stains.
In such cases, using a stain remover specifically designed for that type of stain or pre-treating the stain with a laundry detergent containing enzymes can be more effective.
Baking soda or vinegar first for laundry?
When doing laundry, you can use both baking soda and vinegar (in any order) to help clean and freshen your clothes. However, they should not be used at the same time, as they can neutralize each other when mixed together.
Soaking clothes in baking soda overnight
Soaking clothes in baking soda overnight can be a good option for some laundry situations, especially if you need to remove tough stains, odors or brighten the fabric.
Baking soda acts as a gentle cleaning agent and can help break down stubborn stains and neutralize odors.
Here’s how to soak clothes in baking soda overnight:
- Fill a large basin, sink, or bathtub with enough water to fully submerge the clothes.
- Add 1 cup of baking soda to the water and stir until it’s dissolved.
- Place the clothes in the water, making sure they are fully submerged.
- Let the clothes soak overnight (or at least for a few hours).
- After soaking, wring out the clothes and transfer them to your washing machine.
- Wash the clothes as usual, using your regular detergent.
Keep in mind that soaking clothes in baking soda overnight is generally safe for most fabrics, but it’s always a good idea to check the care label on your clothes and test a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure there are no adverse reactions.
Avoid using this method on delicate fabrics like silk, wool or lace, as they may require special care.
