What Is c and How Do You Use It?

Washing soda is a popular ingredient in many DIY laundry detergent recipes. Also known as sodium carbonate or soda ash, it’s a chemical compound commonly found in both DIY and commercial cleaning products. The Arm & Hammer brand is one of the most recognized sellers of washing soda, and it can usually be found in the laundry aisle of most stores.

Read on to learn more about washing soda, how it works in laundry, and its other uses around the home.

How Does Washing Soda Work?

Washing soda, which is an abrasive cleaning agent, should not be confused with baking soda, which is less abrasive. Both compounds are chemically similar because they both come from the mineral trona, but they have different properties.

Washing soda works well in DIY detergent recipes to remove stains. It has a stronger action for stripping away residues of oils, minerals, and fabric softeners. Sodium carbonate in washing soda helps “soften” water, making it easier for other cleaning agents to lift dirt and suspend it in the wash water. It also binds to the minerals in hard water, allowing detergents to properly clean fabrics.

7 Uses for Washing Soda

1. Laundry: Washing soda is a powerful solvent in laundry, making it effective at removing a variety of stains. Dissolve it in water to create a presoaking solution for tough stains like grease, blood, tea, and coffee.
2. Grease and Tannin Stain Removal: Washing soda can break down greasy buildup on pots, pans, oven racks, and drip pans. It’s also effective at removing coffee and tea stains from ceramics and plastic storage containers.
3. Unclog Drains: To clear a clogged drain, pour 1 cup of washing soda down the drain, followed by 2 or 3 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then flush with plain water. Repeat as necessary.
4. Soap Scum Removal: Use washing soda to remove soap scum in the bathroom or for general cleaning of hard surfaces around the house. Mix 1/2 cup of washing soda with 1 gallon of warm water for an effective cleaning solution.
5. Outdoor Cleaning: Washing soda is also great for cleaning outdoor furniture and decks. You can use the same soap scum cleaning solution mentioned above.
6. Controlling Garden Pests: Mix 1/2 cup of washing soda with 2 gallons of water in a spray bottle to help control pests like aphids, whiteflies, and black spot on roses.
7. Dyeing Fabrics: Some textile artists use washing soda to help dyes bond to fabric, especially when working with natural plant-based dyes.

How to Make Washing Soda from Baking Soda

If you can’t find washing soda in stores and prefer not to order it online, you can easily make your own by heating baking soda.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is widely available and inexpensive. When heated, baking soda releases carbon dioxide and water molecules, leaving behind sodium carbonate—also known as washing soda.

1. Place about 2 cups of baking soda in a shallow baking dish or on a shallow baking sheet (using smaller quantities is easier to manage).
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the baking soda for one hour.
3. After an hour, remove it from the oven and stir it well. Smooth it back out to an even layer.
4. Bake it for an additional hour at 400°F.
5. Let the baking soda cool completely. It will now be more yellow and have a coarser texture.
6. Store the washing soda in an airtight container, and label it clearly for safety.

Washing Soda vs. Baking Soda vs. Borax

While washing soda, baking soda, and borax are all commonly used for cleaning, they differ in terms of their alkalinity and their applications.

• Washing Soda: This chemical compound is highly alkaline with a pH of around 11, making it a strong and effective cleaner.
• Baking Soda: A naturally occurring compound with a pH of about 8.5, baking soda is less alkaline and can be used to make washing soda, but it is not a direct substitute. It is sometimes debated whether it is an effective fungicide.
• Borax: This naturally occurring substance has a pH slightly above 9, making it less alkaline than washing soda but more alkaline than baking soda. Borax is a versatile cleaner that works in a variety of household applications.