Given the busy nature of my summer schedule, I can’t explain to you how excited I was to learn about Walmart’s Express delivery service. Not only do Walmart associates do the shopping for you, but they deliver it to your door in less than two hours, making it fast and convenient. I may never go grocery shopping again!

Whether I’m gearing up for a cookout and realize there are no hamburger buns or just want groceries and toiletries delivered to our vacation home, Walmart Express delivery is my move. All I have to do is shop through the Walmart website, adding whatever I need to my cart. It’s easy to search for all types of groceries, including fresh produce, meat and seafood (a.k.a. everything I need for a successful BBQ), and products are the same price as in-store, so I don’t have to worry about markups running up the bill.

As if groceries on demand isn’t convenient enough, Walmart Express delivery can be used on practically everything in the store—you name it, they’ve got it. It’s unbelievably handy when we need a pack of batteries at the vacation rental, are running low on charcoal for the grill, or just want a new board game to break out after family dinner.

After I have everything in my cart, it’s as easy as selecting Express delivery at checkout. There’s no minimum order, which is amazing for those times I only need a few items, and Express delivery only costs an additional $10. Once the purchase is complete, I’m able to track the progress of my order through the Walmart app, and before I know it, a set of bags is waiting on my front porch. It’s almost like magic!

Express delivery has quickly become my go-to both at home and on vacation, as the service is available from more than 3,000 stores throughout the country. It’s a convenient and affordable option for all my last-minute summertime needs (which are plentiful), and truthfully, I can’t imagine being able to get everything done without it.

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When used as part of your laundry routine, it can help whiten and brighten clothes, eliminate stubborn odors and stamp out stains. Plus, at about $1.25 per pound, it’s one of the cheapest ingredients you can find to up your laundry game. Check out this other kitchen product that will whiten your laundry.

As an Odor Fighter

Baking soda is alkaline, so it neutralizes acids—and many of the nastiest odors, such as sweat, urine and vomit, are acidic. Leslie Reichert, who runs the Green Cleaning Coach website, suggests adding a few tablespoons of baking soda to your regular laundry soap to help remove odors. For really tough odors, soak the smelly item overnight in a baking soda and water solution. Don’t have time for a wash cycle? Here’s how to remove odors from clothes without washing them.

As a Stain Remover

According to baking soda manufacturer Arm & Hammer, baking soda and water are a potent duo for stain removal.

Make a paste with six tablespoons of baking soda and 1/3 cup of warm water, rub it into the stain and let it do its thing. The baking soda will lift the stain out of the fibers. Discard the baking soda before you put the item in the washer. For oily stains, Reichert recommends sprinkling baking soda directly on the stain and letting it sit overnight before washing.

For Extra-Clean Clothes

A half-cup of baking soda added to a load of laundry will create a cleaning boost. “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.

As an Alternative to Bleach

For whites and colors, baking soda does double duty. When added to the washer, it makes whites whiter and brightens colored items. It’s a good substitute for people who prefer not to use bleach. Or, for loads of white clothing, give bleach a boost by adding a half-cup of baking soda. It helps the bleach work better, cuts some of the “bleachy” smell and whitens whites. By the way, these are the common household cleaners that shouldn’t be mixed.

To Sanitize New Baby Clothes

Plenty of parents are concerned about chemical finishes, such as starches and sizing, with which baby clothes might be treated. They don’t want to take the chance that these will come into contact with their baby’s skin.

Remove these components from new baby clothes by washing them by hand or in the washer with a solution of a half-cup baking soda and a mild detergent, like ECOS Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent. If you wash by hand, be sure to thoroughly rinse the items so that no traces of detergent or baking soda remain.

As an Unscented Fabric Softener

If you have a top-loading washer, you can use baking soda in place of fabric softener. It has the same softening effects without heavy perfumes or chemicals that might trigger allergies.

During the rinse cycle, when the washer is full of water, sprinkle a half-cup of baking soda into the water. Remember, it’s not recommended that you put baking soda in the detergent dispensers of front- or top-loading washers. The baking soda can clump up and block the dispensers.

To Save on Detergent

Because baking soda gives detergent a boost, you can get by with using less detergent. Or you can forego detergent altogether by adding a full cup of baking soda in its place. Not convinced? Try it on a load or two and see if you’re satisfied with the results. If it works well enough for you, you’ve found a simple, eco-minded alternative to conventional laundry detergent! Here are some more ways you can boost your laundry detergent.

To Clean Up a Laundry “Oops”

If you’ve had a laundry mishap, such as a stray red sock getting mixed in with your load of white clothes, or a crayon or other waxy item getting left in a pocket, baking soda just might be able to come to the rescue.

For a crayon or other item that has colored all the clothes, and possibly left marks on the inside of the drum, rewash everything in hot water with a cup of baking soda added. To get that pink tinge out of all that white clothing, try soaking the clothing in a bath of warm water, baking soda and salt before washing.

Next, read up on the common laundry mistakes you should avoid.

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