Baking Soda: The Laundry Room Friend-

It is a common product that most of us readily have on hand. Chances are you have a box freshening up your refrigerator, but did you know that Baking Soda can also help you with your laundry?

Long known for its odor reducing properties, baking soda can also remove smoke and sweat odors from your laundry. Simply soak smelly clothes in a tub of water mixed with a ½ cup of baking soda for at least a half an hour before you wash them the way that you normally would.

To rid clothes of a gasoline or motor oil smell, sprinkle them with baking soda and then place them in a garbage bag and seal it tightly. Let the clothes sit in the bag for two days before washing the clothes.

To rid baby clothes of the smell of spit up or vomit, simply rub the stains with dry baking soda and then wash. This also works well for spot cleaning stuffed animals.

When you are ready to throw a load of clothes in the washer, add a quarter cup of baking soda to the water and let it dissolve before you add your normal detergent. The baking soda will help to soften your clothes and give your detergent an extra boost of cleaning power.

Using baking soda in the laundry room isn’t just limited to your clothes. If you are planning a vacation or move, sprinkle baking soda in the drum of your machine so that it will be keep it smelling fresh and keep mold from forming.

~Lori Kimble

Lori Kimble is a former teacher turned freelance writer. She is a stay at home mom to her daughter, Clancy Jane.