That familiar moment when freshly washed clothes come out of the machine and somehow still smell musty, sweaty, or stale can be frustrating. Adding more detergent isn’t always the answer. In fact, excess detergent can leave residue inside a washer and contribute to odors.
One inexpensive laundry booster that can help is ordinary baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Used appropriately, it can help neutralize odors and freshen washable clothes. Major appliance manufacturers including Maytag and Whirlpool describe baking soda as a useful laundry aid for odors and stains.
But there’s an important distinction: baking soda can help with laundry odors and may freshen a washer, but it isn’t a substitute for the manufacturer’s washer-cleaning cycle.
Why Baking Soda Helps With Smelly Clothes
Baking soda is mildly alkaline and can help neutralize certain acidic odors rather than simply covering them with fragrance.
That’s useful for laundry exposed to:
- Sweat
- Body oils
- Food smells
- Smoke
- Pet odors
- Musty odors
Maytag recommends adding about ½ cup of baking soda to a wash load along with the normal amount of detergent for odor problems.
The result isn’t supposed to smell like perfume. The goal is simply to leave the fabric smelling cleaner and fresher.
The Simple Way to Use Baking Soda in a Wash
For a regular washable load:
- Check the care labels first.
- Add your normal laundry detergent according to the detergent manufacturer’s instructions.
- Add about ½ cup of baking soda to the wash tub.
- Run the cycle appropriate for the clothing.
- Remove the laundry promptly when the cycle finishes.
- Dry the clothes completely before putting them away.
Maytag specifically recommends putting the baking soda in the wash tub rather than relying on the detergent dispenser, while Whirlpool notes that baking soda is generally safe in most washers but advises checking the owner’s manual first.
Don’t Make This Common Mistake
More baking soda isn’t automatically better.
You don’t need to pour an entire box into the washer because a load smells particularly bad. Start with a reasonable amount and let the washing process do its job.
Also, don’t replace your normal detergent with baking soda.
Baking soda is a laundry aid, not a complete detergent.
Detergent is formulated to remove soils and oils from fabric; baking soda can complement that process by helping with odors and freshness.
For Strong Underarm Odor, Treat the Problem Area
If a shirt smells fine everywhere except around the armpits, adding baking soda to the whole load may not be enough.
A baking-soda paste can be useful for localized odor.
Mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a paste. Work a small amount into the affected area, allow it to sit for about 30 minutes, then wash according to the garment’s care instructions.
Maytag recommends this approach for stubborn body odor and advises checking the care label and testing treatments on an inconspicuous area first.
What If the Whole Washer Smells?
This is where the viral “baking soda cleans your washing machine” claim needs a little context.
A washer can develop odors because of:
- Detergent residue
- Soil buildup
- Moisture
- Leaving wet clothes inside
- A dirty dispenser
- A dirty door seal
- Drain or drainage problems
Manufacturers recommend regular washer maintenance rather than relying on baking soda alone. For example, Maytag recommends using the washer’s Clean Washer cycle where available and cleaning the machine regularly.
So if your clothes smell because the washer itself is dirty, simply adding baking soda to every load may only mask part of the problem.
The Better Way to Keep the Washer Fresh
After every load, remove wet clothes as soon as practical.
Then leave the washer door or lid open so the interior can dry.
This is particularly important with front-load machines, where moisture can remain around the door seal. Maytag specifically recommends leaving the door open between loads to allow the interior to dry and help prevent odor-causing buildup.
Also clean the detergent dispenser regularly. Excess detergent can actually contribute to residue buildup, so using more detergent than recommended isn’t a good solution to a smelly washer.
When Baking Soda Isn’t Enough
If your washer has a persistent mildew or sewage-like smell, don’t keep adding more baking soda and hope it disappears.
Check:
