The short answer is no. And the long answer goes like this: When used together, baking soda and vinegar will neutralize each other, effectively canceling out the benefits of low pH for vinegar and high pH for baking soda.
There's one very important caveat, she notes: “Both vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean your washing machine and clothing, but they should not be mixed together because they neutralize each other.”
Mixing baking soda and white vinegar is not the be-all, end-all cleaning solution. Used separately, both substances are great. Together, though, they cancel each other out.
Washing towels with vinegar and baking soda can bring them back to life in just three steps: Wash towels in hot water and one cup vinegar. Don't add any detergent. Wash the towels a second time (without drying them) in hot water and one cup baking soda.
When the cycle has finished, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum of the washing machine and run it on the same settings (highest and hottest). For a top-loading washing machine, a hot setting cycle with white vinegar will do the trick.
Mix half a cup of water and ¼ cup bicarb soda into a small bowl. Add the solution to the detergent container of the washing machine. Pour 2 cups of vinegar into the drum. Close the door and set the washing machine to a normal load at the hottest water setting.
The main reason is that they wash their towels in hot water 40-50c with commercial detergent and no fabric softener. Fabric softener can really reduce the absorbency of your towels,which leave a waxy residue on towels, for example. Also, cotton gets more absorbent with use, and hotel towels are well-used.
For stubborn gunk, use a solution of baking soda and water to scrub the can before rinsing with the vinegar.
Baking soda + vinegar
If you mix acidic vinegar with basic baking soda and stow them away in a closed container, the mixture can be quite explosive—literally. That's because vinegar causes baking soda to foam up and explode.
Mixing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) causes a chemical reaction that produces a salt (sodium acetate) and water, as well as carbon dioxide gas.
Baking soda is safe to use on black clothes as it won't cause the colors to fade. However, it's a good idea to not use too much baking soda right away and spot test your clothes before washing them. Simply make a solution of baking soda using four tablespoons per glass of water.
Vinegar is sometimes used as a fabric softener or for getting rid of stains and odors in laundry. But as with dishwashers, it can damage the rubber seals and hoses in some washing machines to the point of causing leaks.
Clear A Clogged Drain
The fizzing reaction of baking soda and vinegar can help you clear out a clogged drain. Pour baking soda into the drain (about half a cup), followed by one cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
One of the most well-known secrets of the hotel industry in keeping their sheets enviably is peroxide-based detergents. Bleach is also added to the mix. While these chemicals are truly effective in preventing white linens from greying or turning yellow, they do require some level of expertise.
Add Baking Soda
Mix half a cup of baking soda along with a normal detergent dose for fluffier and cleaner towels. Baking soda also naturally eliminates musty and mildew smells that come from towels remaining damp for too long.
Washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels are standard for most hotels. If you're looking to add something special to your hotel experience, consider adding some of the other types of towels. A bath mat is for guests to stand on after they get out of the shower.
"And using vinegar with your laundry detergent in the washing machine can decrease your laundry detergent's ability to clean away food stains by impacting cleaning ingredients called enzymes, so you may need to rewash the item," she adds.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar together creates an endothermic reaction, which means it absorbs heat and becomes cold.
When washing your clothing, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment just before the last rinse cycle. If you'd like your clothes to have a mild scent, add four or five drops of essential oil into the fabric softener compartment.
Baking soda acts as a natural brightener and deodorizer. If you have particularly smelly clothes, using a full cup of baking soda will not harm your washer. You'll get better results if you allow the clothes to soak in the baking soda and water for at least 30 minutes before completing the wash cycle.
Safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers, baking soda is one of the top two best products (along with distilled white vinegar) for making your laundry greener by reducing your dependence on harsh chemicals.
Baking Soda/Vinegar Trick
All you have to do is toss those stiff sheets into the washer with 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar, and wash for one cycle. Be sure to completely omit your regular detergent this time around, as it tends to lock chemicals into the sheets.
Add ½ cup baking soda with your detergent to freshen your laundry and help liquid detergents work harder. Use baking soda instead of fabric softener. Add 1/2 cup at the rinse cycle. Add 1/2 cup baking soda (only 1/4 cup for front-loading machines) with the usual amount of bleach to increase whitening power.
For Extra-Clean Clothes
“It will help lift dirt and grime from clothing,” says Reichert. Don't put baking soda in your washer's detergent dispenser, however. Instead, sprinkle it into the empty drum of your washer, then add clothes and whatever detergent and fabric softeners you'd normally use.