Eco Laundry Additives: Vinegar, Bicarb & More

If you’ve ever stood in front of the laundry shelf thinking, “Do I really need five different bottles for one load of washing?” — you’re not alone.

Over the years, I’ve swapped, tested, sniffed, ruined a towel or two, and learned that some of the simplest old-fashioned ingredients still do the best job. Not only do they save money, but they’re gentler on skin, kinder to clothes, and better for the planet.

And let’s face it – the laundry aisle can be a jingle. Shelves lined with bright packaging, catchy names, and cheerful slogans practically singing at you. “Eco”, “bio”, and “gentle” labels all promising miracles, when all we really want is clean clothes that don’t cost a fortune or harm the planet.

In other words, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by marketing when the basics still do the heavy lifting. So, before you buy another neon-blue softener that smells like “Ocean Breeze (from a factory),” here’s what’s really worth having in your cupboard.

Why Simple Additives Still Win

Let’s start with the classic that never lets you down.

🧴 White Vinegar

Ah, good old vinegar. The unsung hero of housework — cheap, fierce, and slightly stinky (but in a good way).

What it does: Softens fibres, cuts through soap residue, kills odours, and helps whites look brighter.

How to use: Pour about ½ to 1 cup (120–240 ml) of distilled white vinegar into your softener drawer or the final rinse cycle.

Best for: Towels, bedding, sportswear, and pet laundry.

Avoid: Mixing vinegar with bleach or hydrogen peroxide — unless you fancy an impromptu chemistry experiment you’ll regret.

💡 Tip: If your washing machine smells like a damp sock, run an empty hot cycle with a cup of vinegar — no scrubbing needed.

💰 Cost check: Around £0.30 per load if you buy standard supermarket vinegar — much cheaper than £3.50 bottles of branded softener.

On the other hand, if you want something gentler but still effective, bicarb is your go-to.

🧂 Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)

If vinegar’s the diva, bicarb’s the dependable sidekick — no drama, just results.

What it does: Balances pH, freshens laundry, and helps lift dirt naturally.

How to use: Add ½ cup (about 100 g) straight into the drum with your detergent, or dissolve it in warm water first for a top loader.

Best for: Socks that could walk themselves to the laundry basket and musty kitchen towels.

Avoid: Wool, silk, or anything labelled “delicate.” It’s slightly alkaline and can be too harsh over time.

⚗️ Tip: Use bicarb in the main wash and vinegar in the rinse. They’ll fizz together and quietly do their magic (you’ll feel like a scientist).

💰 Cost check: About £0.15 per load — still pennies compared to most laundry boosters.

Next up, here’s an option people often overlook. 

🧖‍♀️ Epsom Salts

Once you’ve used these in a bath, it’s only a matter of time before you throw them in the wash too.

What it does: Softens hard water, reduces static, and helps clothes feel smoother.

How to use: Mix 2 cups Epsom salts + ½ cup bicarb + 20–30 drops of essential oil if you like fragrance. Use ¼ cup of this mix per load.

Best for: Synthetic clothes that come out with more static than style.

Avoid: Overusing on dark loads — it can leave a light film.

💰 Cost check: Around £0.25 per load (still cheaper than branded fabric softeners).

🍋 Citric Acid

Think of this one as your machine’s best friend — it keeps limescale in check and helps whites sparkle.

What it does: Softens water, removes mineral build-up, and naturally brightens.

How to use: Add 1–2 tablespoons to the softener drawer.

Best for: White loads and machine maintenance.

Avoid: Mixing with bleach or using on delicate fabrics.

💡 Tip: A citric acid rinse once a month keeps your washing machine running quietly instead of sounding like a rocket launch.

💧 Soda Crystals

This one’s an old-school gem. Your gran probably used them — and for good reason.

What it does: Cuts grease, softens water, and helps your detergent clean better.

How to use: Add 1 tablespoon per load directly into the drum.

Best for: Greasy work clothes, bedding, and anything that “mysteriously” got food on it.

Avoid: Wool or silk again — these are your delicates’ kryptonite.

💰 Cost check: Around £0.10 per load. Practically free.

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So, let’s break it down properly – for some “real laundry life” logic: different types of laundry, what additive it fits best with, and what to avoid..

🧺 Which Additive to Use for What

🧴 Amounts (Quick Reference)

• Vinegar: ½ cup (120 ml) in the fabric softener drawer (rinse cycle)

• Bicarb: 2 tbsp in the detergent drawer for odour-removal or mild cleaning

• Epsom salts: 1 tbsp per wash (or dissolve first in hot water and add to drum)

• Citric acid: 1 tbsp dissolved in warm water, added to rinse drawer

• Soda crystals: 1–2 tbsp for regular washes, up to ½ cup (100 g) for a deep clean

⚠️ Avoid Pairing These Together

• Don’t mix vinegar and bicarb in the same wash (they cancel each other out).

• Don’t use vinegar or soda crystals on waterproof or delicate fabrics.

• Don’t overuse citric acid — it’s powerful; can weaken elastic if used in every wash.

🪶 If You Need a Gentle Option

For truly delicate fabrics (wool jumpers, silk, lingerie), use:

• Cool hand wash, with a few drops of gentle liquid detergent (like a baby or wool wash), plus 1 tbsp Epsom salts to soften hard water.

• Rinse with a citric acid solution (½ tsp per litre of water) for a natural softening finish.

👯‍♀️ Bicarb vs Soda Crystals — What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever stood in the cleaning aisle squinting at “Bicarbonate of Soda” and “Soda Crystals” wondering if they’re just different names for the same thing… you’re not alone. They sound alike, but they’re cousins — not twins.

Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)

• Gentler and finer, a mild alkaline powder (sodium bicarbonate).

• Perfect for deodorising and soft cleaning.

• Safe enough for your skin and mild fabrics.

Soda Crystals (Washing Soda)

• Stronger and coarser, chemically known as sodium carbonate.

• More powerful for cutting grease, grime, and build-up.

• Great for washing machines, towels, and work clothes — but can be too harsh for delicates.

💡 Think of it like this:
Bicarb is your everyday cleaner — soda crystals are what you bring out when things have gone properly feral.

Learn more: For a detailed comparison of the two and how they’re made, you can read this clear breakdown from Dri-Pak — the UK company that’s been making both for over 50 years.

🌿 Essential Oils (Optional but lovely)

Laundry without fragrance feels a bit… unfinished. Essential oils let you add a light, natural scent without the chemical overload.

How to use: Add 5–10 drops into your vinegar rinse or homemade Epsom salt mix.

Great combos:

• Lavender for calm

• Lemon for freshness

• Tea tree for antibacterial oomph

• Eucalyptus for a clean, crisp scent

⚠️ Always dilute — never pour oils straight onto clothes or into the drum.

🧺 Quick Reference: When to Use What

📄 Free Printable Guide

If you’d like an easy reference to stick near your washing machine (or to gently educate the rest of the household), you can download my Natural Laundry Additives and Fabric Conditioner Guide (PDF) — everything’s laid out in one quick chart.

👉 Download the Natural Laundry Additives and Fabric Conditioner Guide PDF

💚 One Small Change, Big Ripple

You don’t have to go zero-waste overnight. Every time you refill a bottle, skip a harsh cleaner, or reach for vinegar instead of a fancy “eco” label, you’re cutting down on packaging, pollution, and costs.

As Jane Goodall once said:

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

And honestly, it’s a great feeling when your laundry smells clean — not perfumed — and your wallet’s a bit happier too.

👉 You can find more easy eco swaps in our Eco Swaps section — all tried, tested, and family-approved.