Though the washing machine helps to clean your dirty and grimy clothes, well it might harbor an unpleasant odor due to detergent residue, soap scum, mildew, and mold. So, you don’t need to change your washing machine if it harbors bad smells.
Baking soda can remove bad smells from your washing machine. Just make sure to use it properly and carefully. Baking soda is one of the best kitchen staples for odor removal.
However, keep reading until the end and get a complete, quick, informative guide on tackling your job successfully.
How To Use Baking Soda in Washing Machine for Odor Removal?
Baking soda is considered one of the best deodorizers to eliminate unpleasant odors from your washer. As a natural component, it is considered a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and long-lasting solution that removes every smell from your washing machine or laundry.
You just need to use it in an accurate format to get your washer’s fresh and new look. Here are easy steps to use baking soda in the washing machine.
- Remove all the washing machine’s clothes to empty the washer’s drum.
- Add ½ cup (120 milliliters, or 8 tablespoons) of baking soda into the empty drum.
- Run the longest hot wash cycle and let it complete
- Run the hot wash cycle again so all the residue gets rid off
- After completing the wash cycle, just open the washer’s door for better air circulation
Its components like sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen make it a unique deodorizer, neutralizer, and cleaning fresher. It is also used in other home applications.
Can baking soda remove mildew odors?
Yes, its natural deodorizing and moisture-absorbing ingredients make it highly effective and one of the best sources to remove the mildew smell from your washing machine. Washers often build up mold or mildew smells due to some factors, such as when you don’t clean them properly and do not open the washer’s door after laundry.
However, sprinkle baking soda powder (as needed) on the required mold or mildew area. Leave it for a few hours or overnight to observe and moisturize the odor. After this, wipe it off thoroughly.
You can also mix it with a small amount of water, apply the paste to the needed area, and let it cool for several hours. After that, scrub it with a brush and rinse it off with water.
Perfect place and amount of baking soda in washing machine
Determining the perfect place to pour the washing soda is compulsory, so you must pour it directly into the washer drum. You can keep the detergent tray, but it will not work properly because its sprinkled amount will be a little slow, and in the cleaning of the washer, baking soda must be poured into water directly so that it spread in the whole water and works in depth.
So finally, you have to pour baking soda into the washer’s drum directly, not in the detergent tray (whether you are using powder or mixture paste).
The amount of baking soda might differ according to your needs like:
- For Regular Odor Removal: Use 1/2 cup (120 ml) of baking soda.
- For Stubborn Odors or Deep Cleaning: Use 1 cup (240 ml) of baking soda.
- For Laundry Freshness: Add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of baking soda to your regular laundry cycles.
How to use baking soda with vinegar?
If you want to clean your washer, carpet, stubborn tiles, or any other home instrument that is stubborn and tough to make clean, or if your washing machine is facing a thick mold and does not look fresh after your again and again cleaning then you also use this combination of both items.
Just pour ½ cup of vinegar and baking soda into the empty drum and set the wash cycle on hot mood. Wait to stop this and vacuum your washing machine.
If you have to clean a strong, grimy mold from your washroom or your home’s area, then make a mixture of ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda (or as needed) and mix it well. Apply this mixture on the required surface and let the mixture for a few hours to absorb moisture, mildew smell, mold, and thick grime. After scrubbing it, just rinse it off with clean water.
5 tips to prevent your washing machine from bad odors
The washing machine starts to build up mold and mildew if you keep it clean, but not well. This mildew smell can ruin your laundry struggle as your washed clothes start harboring bad smells. You can face this smell even except from laundry day. So just keep in mind some major reasons behind these bad smells from your washing machine and also focus on to keep clean top loader washing machine and front loader washing machine.
Reason: detergent residue, soap scum, keep the soaked cloth in the drum for a long time, don’t keep the lid open after laundry, do not run a clean hot wash cycle after laundry.
- Open the lid after every laundry.
- Make sure to run a clean wash cycle for a deep cleaning.
- Use the right amount of detergent.
- Dry it properly after use.
- Clean it with baking soda after every 15 days if it requires weekly use.
How much amount of vinegar can give extra freshness to laundry?
Vinegar is a fabric softener in laundry and provides freshness and deep cleaning to clothes. You can make your laundry perfect by using vinegar. It can also clean washing machines, kitchen stuff, and other home instruments.
Usually, ½ cup of vinegar (120ml ) can be used in your laundry, but if you want to give extra freshness and softness to your clothes, pour ¾ cup of vinegar (180 ml) into the wash cycle.
Conclusion
Baking soda is one of the best natural sources to clean a thick grime, like mold or mildew. You can use baking soda in washing machine for odor removal, as mentioned above, for better results. As you already read, add ½ cup of baking soda to the hot wash cycle and rinse it after completion. Baking soda with vinegar is a more effective source to clean stubborn grime like mold or mildew. To prevent unpleasant smells from your washing machine, clean it with baking soda and open the washer’s lid to dry.
FAQs
Do you have to use washing soda in every wash on laundry day?
No, you don’t need to washing soda in every wash cycle on laundry day unless your clothes have a thick grime or a bad smell. In regular laundry, you can add washing soda after 3 to 4 wash cycles to make your clothes smooth, soft, and fresh.
Which deodorizer is good, washing soda vs. baking soda vs. vinegar?
Washing soda, baking soda, and vinegar all work effectively. In comparison, all of these do work secretively. Washing soda is best for cleaning dirt and grime, and baking soda works as a deodorizer to remove the mold or mildew smell from washing machines and clothes. Vinegar is the most effective way to remove stubborn mold or mildew smell from washing machines. So these all are unique in themself by focusing on their job.
Is baking soda good for clothes?
Yes, baking soda is a good source to remove bad smells from your clothes. It gives a freshness and deep clean to your clothes.
Is baking soda harmful for the washing machine?
No, it does not harm the washing machine but gives a deep clean. With perfect use, it can remove mildew or any other very bad smell from your washing machine and clothes. Sprinkle it directly within the empty drum for better cleaning.
Can vinegar harm your clothes?
Vinegar is a fabric softener in the laundry that gives your clothes extra freshness, smoothness, and softness. It also helps to get rid of bad smells from your clothes. So, you can use vinegar in your laundry for extra softening and cleaning.
Can you use washing soda and baking soda at the same time?
Yes, if you have to clean a strong, stubborn mold, mildew smell, or thick grime from a washer, clothes, home-like kitchen tiles or washroom, etc., you can confidently use baking soda and washing soda simultaneously.