Home Hacks #2: Add baking soda to every laundry load

 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:12 UTC

Image: CC BY 4.0 by cybrkyd

Smelly washing machine? Try adding baking soda to every wash.

Whenever I noticed a musty smell emanating from the depths of my washing machine, I would simply leave the door open. Whilst that solved the problem temporarily, it didn’t stop the smell from eventually coming back with a vengeance.

I received the recommendation to use baking soda in every wash. And it works.

Home Hacks #2

Add baking soda to every laundry load.

1. Add it: For each laundry load, add one heaped teaspoon of baking soda directly into the washing machine drum or the detergent drawer.

2. Add detergent: Next, add laundry detergent as normal.

3. Wash: The baking soda works during the wash cycle to help eliminate any persistent odours.

4. Regular use: I’ve made it a routine to use baking soda with every load.

Baking soda helps prevent the build-up of odours. I no longer need to leave the door of the washing machine open because of the smell; it now stays shut and there is no unpleasant waft to greet me when I next open it.

Any lingering smells on clothes are also dealt with. If you’ve ever fried onions then washed your clothes and can still smell onions on them, try it! Forget Febreze! :-)

That’s the hack.