Shane - Is an Old Moll - Part I - See Pinned Comment:

I'd put it to the writers of the articles and the Ai that to some extent, they are full of shit.

Sodium Bicarbonate - is not a very SAVAGE alkali, but I would not add any more than say 1/4 to 1/3rd of a small level teaspoon to a long soak and a big wash, because it is actually very effective at scouring out protiens, fats and other organic materials. A little bit really boosts the cleaning power of detergents.....

Consider this:

If you are hot, sweaty, covered in grime and haven't washed for a few days, 1/2 a level small teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a bath, with a bit of soap and and a good scrub, will make your whole body squeaky clean.... AND because chemically you come out of the bath with a slightly burned smell, a good rinse under a shower, is necessary to remove the burned residue from your skin.

So where the fucking retards say poke one cup of sodium bicarbonate into your wash.... They are fucking morons and it's far too much.

Washing soda is very nice... again - add a small amount, try it, and if your grimy whites actually come out a heap whiter, think about it and test it... "Is a level teaspoon enough for 5 white singlets, or would 3 or 4 level teaspoons be more effective?"

Don't just swallow the bullshit your being fed, evaluate it, start small, cross reference from other sources, try things out etc.

Make up your own mind, based upon a sensible mixture of QUALITY INFORMATION and TESTED EXPERIENCE.