Boost brightness with baking soda

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drum along with your regular detergent when washing whites. For extra brightening, dissolve 1 cup in a basin of warm water and soak whites for 30 minutes before washing.

Why It Works

Baking soda is mildly alkaline (pH ~8.3) and dissolves accumulated residue — detergent film, body oils, and mineral deposits — that makes whites look dingy. It also softens water, helping detergent clean more effectively. It does not chemically bleach fabric, so it works best for residue-related dullness rather than true yellowing.

Tips

• Safe for all washable white fabrics including delicates
• Dissolve in water first when using a front-loader to prevent clumping
• Combine with white vinegar in the rinse cycle for extra residue removal