Adding one cup of bicarbonate of soda to the washing machine drum can soften and refresh bed linen while removing unwanted odours, according to cleaning expert and TikTok creator Chantel Mila.
In a video posted in August, Mila shared tips for sprucing up the bedroom. Her method for softening and refreshing bed sheets requires just a single natural ingredient.
How to soften bed sheets
To soften bed sheets, add one cup of bicarbonate of soda directly into the washing machine drum, then wash the sheets on a standard cycle, as reported by the Express.
Bicarbonate of soda can boost the performance of detergent, helping to brighten tired whites and eliminate unwanted odours from fabrics. The natural ingredient works by balancing the water's pH levels and breaking down stiff residues trapped within the fibres.
As an alkaline mineral, bicarbonate of soda strips away hard-water minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which cling to fibres and leave them feeling coarse. It also breaks down old soap, detergents, and fabric softeners so they rinse away thoroughly rather than being redeposited onto the fabric.
Additional uses for bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda acts as a natural deodoriser, helping to eliminate odours left behind by sweat, body oils, and dust that has accumulated on sheets and mattresses. Its neutralising and absorbent qualities draw out moisture and other odour-causing particles from the fabric's fibres.
Beyond bed linen, bicarbonate of soda can also soften towels and clothing. Scattering a generous amount across a mattress and leaving it for a couple of hours before vacuuming can help deodorise the mattress, eliminating lingering or musty odours.
For stained bed sheets, Mila previously demonstrated how to make a stain treatment by adding half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl. Hydrogen peroxide helps to brighten and disinfect clothing. Finally, one teaspoon of washing-up liquid is added to target oil-based stains.
Combine the ingredients until a loose paste forms, apply the solution to sweat stains using a stiff-bristle brush, and leave to soak for one hour. After the hour has passed, wash the affected items on a normal cycle in the washing machine.
