UK households can avoid stiff laundry when drying clothes outside with a cheap 65p Tesco item: baking soda. As warmer weather encourages more people to hang laundry outdoors, many face stiff, rough towels and clothes. While fresh air eliminates odours, drying can leave fabrics coarse compared to a tumble dryer.
Experts say baking soda, a common kitchen staple, maintains soft fabrics without chemical-heavy softeners. Tesco sells a 200g bottle of Stockwell and Co bicarbonate of soda for 65p.
Why Baking Soda Works
Mineral buildup, detergent residue, and hard water deposits often stiffen fabrics as they dry in the breeze. Baking soda neutralises these residues, allowing fibres to remain relaxed and flexible.
Washing machine manufacturer Whirlpool says: "To help soften fabrics naturally without fabric softener or dryer sheets, you can use baking soda to help balance wash water pH levels. This can be beneficial if you have hard water. By adding a half cup of baking soda to your wash load, you can help prevent mineral buildup on items and reduce the amount of detergent you use."
How to Use Baking Soda for Soft Laundry
Add half a cup of baking soda directly to the washing machine drum along with your regular detergent. It balances the water's pH, prevents mineral buildup, and breaks down leftover detergent for a fluffier feel. It also eliminates musty odours naturally.
For best results, shake out towels and garments well before hanging, and remove them from the line as soon as they are dry to prevent them from becoming "sun-baked" and brittle.
Expert Tips
For really tough items like rough towels, experts such as The Spruce suggest soaking them in a bucket of water with one cup of baking soda overnight. Baking soda can fully replace store-bought liquid softeners or dryer sheets. Experts including those from Martha Stewart stress the importance of snapping or shaking clothes when taking them out of the washer and off the line to help loosen fibres.
