You probably won’t find a household product more versatile than baking soda. One moment it’s part of a baking recipe; the next you’re using it as a cleaning agent. That’s why you might be left wondering if you can put baking soda in the washing machine.
This article explains the do’s and don’ts of using baking soda in the washing machine: how and when to use it, and whether you should combine it with vinegar.
About this guide: Compiled by the HomeNerdy Editorial Team, this article was last reviewed in September 2026.
Scope: This guide covers using baking soda as a laundry booster and washing-machine cleaner, including when to avoid it.
Quick summary:
- Yes, baking soda is generally safe to use in most washers (still, check your owner’s manual).
- Use it mainly as a booster: for odors, dull laundry, mild stains, and to freshen the washer.
- Don’t treat it as a full detergent replacement. Detergents are formulated to clean at a specific pH and often contain enzymes; baking soda doesn’t.
- Avoid mixing baking soda and vinegar in the same wash. They can cancel each other out and may reduce cleaning performance.
- Start small: ¼–½ cup is enough for most loads; use ½ cup for strong odors, and up to 1 cup only for occasional deep-freshening cycles.
Quick decision box — what are you trying to solve?
Odors (gym clothes, musty towels) → Add ¼–½ cup baking soda to the drum, along with your regular detergent.
Dull whites / hard water feel → Add ¼ cup baking soda to the drum as a booster.
Stains (spot treatment works best) → Make a paste (baking soda plus a little water), apply to the stain, wait, rinse, then wash normally.
Freshen the washer (occasional maintenance) → Run a hot, empty cycle and add ½–1 cup baking soda to the drum.
Also read: The Truth About Dishwasher Tablets in The Washing Machine for another way to clean and maintain your washer.
Can You Put Baking Soda in The Washing Machine?
You can put baking soda in the washing machine. It dissolves filth and minerals, so using it to clean your washing machine results in a spotless, odor-free washer. You can even use it to clean your laundry itself. It’s an excellent cleaning agent and laundry remedy combined, and on top of that, it’s inexpensive and usually easy to find.
Some of the main benefits of using baking soda in the washing machine:
- Softens water. Baking soda is alkaline, which softens the water. Hard water can otherwise cause limescale buildup or leave residue on your clothes.
- Eliminates strong odor. Baking soda removes nasty smells, leaving both your washer and your clothes fresher.
- Tough stain remover. Baking soda is effective on stubborn stains on both white and colored clothes.
- Removes rust. Any rust residue in your washing machine will be dissolved by baking soda.
Can You Use Baking Soda Instead of Laundry Detergent?
You can use baking soda without detergent to do laundry. Whether you’ve run out of detergent or simply don’t want to use it, baking soda can be an effective alternative. An effective detergent needs to be alkaline, an effective cleanser, and a deodorizer — baking soda has all three qualities, so it can produce similar results. Pour a cup of baking soda into the washing machine, add your clothes, and run the cycle.
Baking soda needs space to penetrate the clothes, so don’t overfill the washing machine. If you have a lot of clothes to clean, wash them in batches for the best results.
Doing Your Laundry With Baking Soda
- Pour half to one cup of baking soda into the drum. How much you use depends on how full you’re loading the washer — half a cup is usually enough for a lighter load.
- Add your laundry.
- Don’t overfill the washing machine. Too many clothes leaves the baking soda without enough space to penetrate the fabric properly.
- Run your usual washing cycle.
Using Baking Soda To Eliminate Tough Stains
If you have especially tough stains on your clothes, baking soda can remove them too.
- Make a paste by mixing one cup of baking soda with half a cup of warm water.
- Apply the paste to the stained spot(s) and leave it until it has dried.
- Remove the paste by running the fabric under lukewarm water.
- Add the piece of clothing to your next load of laundry. The stain should be gone, and your clothing spotless again.
Laundry Detergent vs. Baking Soda in The Washing Machine
Baking soda is a wonderful substance to add to your washing machine, and it can even replace your laundry detergent occasionally, given their similar properties. That said, be careful about replacing your detergent completely.
Frequent exposure isn’t advisable for fiber-based materials, since using it too often can degrade them over time. Many laundry detergents also contain enzymes that remove protein-based stains, like sweat, which baking soda is less effective against.
Treat baking soda as extra help in getting your clothes clean, not as a full replacement for your laundry detergent.
Can I Use Baking Soda To Wash All Fabrics?
You can use baking soda on almost all fabrics, white and colored clothing alike. Be more careful with fiber-based materials such as silk, wool, and cashmere, which aren’t very alkaline-friendly — this doesn’t mean you can never use baking soda on them, just that you shouldn’t do it too often. Outside of those materials, baking soda is an excellent go-to cleaning agent you can use as often as you want.
Using Baking Soda in Combination With Other Cleaning Agents
Baking soda is effective on its own, but how does it do when combined with other cleaning agents? The most popular laundry cleaning agents are detergent and vinegar, so here’s how each pairs with baking soda.
Baking Soda Is Compatible With Detergent
Baking soda is alkaline and contains sodium bicarbonate; detergents also contain sodium carbonate. The combination of baking soda, detergent, and the right amount of water gives you cleaner clothes, though you don’t want to overdo the amount of baking soda. Half a cup is sufficient when combined with detergent. Don’t use this combination frequently, since it can be harder on sensitive fabrics — it’s best reserved for stubborn stains and stinky clothes.
Baking Soda Isn’t Compatible With Vinegar
Safety note: You shouldn’t combine baking soda with vinegar. Baking soda is alkaline while vinegar is acidic, so combining them in the laundry cancels out both of their individual effects and makes them ineffective. Keep this in mind when combining baking soda with other cleaning agents.
Cleaning Your Washing Machine With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a highly effective household cleaning agent for laundry and other household tasks, and it’s well suited to cleaning and maintaining your washing machine too.
How to use baking soda to clean your washing machine:
- Put half to one cup of baking soda into the inner drum of your washer.
- Run a self-cleaning cycle. If your washing machine doesn’t have this option, run a cycle at the highest possible temperature.
Conclusion
So, can you put baking soda in the washing machine? Absolutely. Baking soda is an essential kitchen ingredient, but it’s also useful for doing laundry. It’s safe to use in your washing machine and will help keep your clothes stain-free and odor-free, while also helping maintain the machine itself.
For really tough stains, soak your clothes overnight in a paste made of baking soda and water, then add them to your washing machine for the best results. And remember not to wash cashmere, silk, or wool too often with baking soda, since repeated exposure can damage these materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I put baking soda — drum or detergent drawer?
Most people add it directly to the drum, so it dissolves with the wash water instead of sitting in the dispenser.
How much baking soda should I use per load?
The typical range is ¼–½ cup. Use ½ cup for strong odors or occasional boosting.
Can baking soda damage my washing machine?
It’s generally considered safe in most machines, but always check your owner’s manual first.
Can baking soda replace detergent?
Not reliably. It can help in a pinch, but detergents are formulated for stronger cleaning and stain removal.
Can I mix baking soda and vinegar in the washer?
Not recommended in the same cycle — it can neutralize their effects and reduce cleaning performance.
Does baking soda remove rust from the washing machine?
It may help with some surface residue, but it won’t solve a washer that’s actively rusting. Rust in the drum is usually a repair or maintenance issue.
Is baking soda safe for delicates like wool or silk?
Use caution. If you do use it, keep the dose low and don’t do it frequently.
