Will Using Baking Soda in My Laundry Cause Colors to Fade?

While it is always a good idea to spot test a garment when using any product, baking soda is safe to use in laundry and will not cause color fade. There are many benefits to using baking soda in your laundry however, let's look at some of them.

Prewash Stain Removal

Baking Soda is very good at removing stains prior to washing. Make a paste of baking soda and water to the consistency of cake frosting, and allowing it to sit on the stain for five minutes before you wash. This is very effective on greasy stains.

Brightening Colors and Whitening Whites

Baking soda will also brighten colors and whiten your white clothes, just add a 1/2 cup of baking soda along with your regular detergent in the wash cycle.

Softening Fabric

Some commercial detergents are harsh on fabric and will cause the fabric to be especially difficult to iron and to feel scratchy to the skin. Instead of using commercial fabric softener which is not only expensive but may also prove harsh to sensitive skin, try using baking soda.

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda to your final rinse water and let your items soak for 10 minutes before running the cycle.

Neutralizing Acids

Acid spills happen all around us and most happen on our clothes, but don't let them worry you if you have baking soda on hand. Acids like vomit, urine, ketchup, vinegar, citrus fruit juices and battery acid can all be neutralized by using baking soda.

Simply rinse the item in water, sprinkle some baking soda on the stained area and wait for 5 minutes before rinsing again or putting the item through your regular wash cycle.

Odor Removal

This hack is especially handy for people who smoke, those who sweat a lot, and for those with children who still wet their beds. For clothes with bad odor, simply soak your items in baking soda mixed with your regular detergent for about 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing with clean water.

Dry Cleaning

In addition to general laundry, you can also try a dry cleaning method on suede, by sprinkling baking soda on, letting it sit, and brushing it away.

Laundry and Color Fading FAQ

What happens when you add baking soda to laundry?

Baking soda is a chemical formula and it creates a chemical reaction when it is mixed with other ingredients, such as the chemicals found in laundry detergent. The baking soda helps to neutralize odor and softens the water.

Add about a half-cup of baking soda to a full load, no more, to effectively remove odors from clothing and fabrics.

Will baking soda turn clothes white?

Baking soda is not a bleaching agent. However, it does seem to brighten up white clothing and gives more vibrance to colored clothing.

Is it OK to put baking soda in washing machine?

Baking soda actually helps to kill bacteria and regulates the water PH in a washing machine, in addition to removing odor from fabrics. Baking soda has a powdery consistency that is similar to many types of dry laundry detergent.

Adding a little baking soda to the laundry, in most cases, will not harm the laundry or the machine itself.

Is OxiClean just baking soda?

OxiClean and baking soda have a whole lot in common, because they are mostly made with the same ingredients. However, they are two different products.

How do you keep color from fading on clothes?

Cold water can prevent colors from fading. Use a laundry detergent that is formulated for cold water and this will help keep colors looking fresher longer.