There are plenty of natural boosters that people swear by- to soften clothes, lemon juice to brighten whites, and even hydrogen peroxide as a bleach alternative. But despite hearing all the praise for I had never tried it myself.

I typically rely on bleach or to tackle dull whites, assuming nothing else could match their power. However, I finally gave baking soda a chance and was surprised by the results. Not only did it deliver noticeable whitening, but it did so without the downsides of bleach-, no skin irritation, just fresh, bright laundry. I used my trusty tub of Dr Oetker Bicarbonate of Soda, which is usually reserved for home baking and costs £1.60 in Sainsbury's. But you can find it for as little as 65p in most supermarkets.

For this experiment, I added half a cup of baking soda to my regular wash cycle, aiming to refresh some dirty greyed-out socks, dingy towels, white tops, and a gym top that often holds onto odours.

I loaded the laundry into the empty drum and poured the baking soda directly into the drum, right at the back. I added a capful of my usual laundry detergent, an inexpensive non-bio liquid detergent, and set the cycle on Eco Mode (a 40C to 60C wash that takes three hours, 57 minutes).

As soon as I pulled everything from the machine, I saw the difference up close. The socks, which were particularly stained and dull, were noticeably whiter, with the tops appearing at least a shade or two brighter. But it wasn't until I tumble-dried the items that I saw the true results.

Lingering yellowish stains had completely vanished from the two white tops that were particularly grubby looking pre-wash.

My towel also looked significantly fresher, its whiteness restored by a shade or two, which was surprising given it's been grey since it slipped in with a dark wash a few months ago.

I was especially impressed with the gym top-it stayed bright white and smelled clean, which isn't always the case after one wash. While I had expected some improvement, I hadn't anticipated this level of effectiveness from something as simple as baking soda.

According to experts at Clotheslyne, baking soda relies on its alkaline nature to maintain the pH balance of laundry water. "This enhances the effectiveness of detergents and helps whites stay white, and colours stay bright", they said.

Beyond just whitening, my laundry also felt softer after washing and tumble-drying.

I don't use fabric softener, so this was an unexpected bonus. The baking soda seemed to help break down detergent residue, leaving my clothes feeling fresh and comfortable against my skin.

As for whether I'd use it again, I now see no reason to keep using bleach when baking soda can achieve similar results without the risks. It's an easy, affordable, and natural way to brighten whites, tackle stains, and even soften fabrics-all in one wash.

While baking soda is generally not bad for the washing machine when used in moderate amounts, I am wary of using it excessively. It has certainly replaced the harsh chemical whitening agent I usually load into the detergent drawer when washing whites.

As for alternatives to baking soda, avoid baking powder at all costs. It is not the same as bicarbonate of soda (known as baking soda) for laundry; baking powder contains additional acidic components that make it unsuitable for most cleaning purposes.

If you've been hesitant to try a natural laundry hack, like I was, I highly recommend giving it a shot.