Confession: I had never heard of washing soda until recently, but now I’m hooked on the idea of using it to make laundry detergent for my family. Not only is it majorly cost efficient (for about $30 you can make DIY laundry detergent to last a family of four an entire year!) but it’s a natural substance that’s multipurpose. Although it’s not to be eaten (don’t confuse it with baking soda, though the two compounds are closely related), washing soda can be used to clean laundry and handle other household chores. We’ve all been baking homemade bread, making hand sanitizer and masks, and assembling DIY homework stations over these past few months, so laundry detergent seems the next logical step!
What is washing soda?
Washing soda, also called soda ash, is sodium carbonate (chemical formula Na2CO3), a water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. Its proportions of sodium, carbon, and oxygen make it effective as a natural cleaner and cleaning booster.
Basically, the sodium carbonate "softens" water by helping other cleaning ingredients lift soil from the fabrics and suspend the soil in the wash water. The washing soda attaches to the minerals, which make water hard and allows the detergent to be absorbed into fibers properly to clean clothes.
Is it just me or have the loads of laundry gotten bigger and more frequent over these last few months? I’ve also felt the need to wash everything I’m wearing as soon as I return from the grocery store, so I can use all the laundry hacks that exist!
Sodium carbonate can be obtained from natural sources such as the ashes of plants grown in certain types of soil or created synthetically.
Is washing soda safe?
Sodium carbonate can be dangerous in large quantities, so keep the washing soda out of the reach of children and pets. Also, wear gloves when cleaning with washing soda because it can cause skin irritation. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it can be harmful to the eyes, cause irritation to the lungs if inhaled, and may cause abdominal pain or vomiting if large doses are swallowed.
Most washing soda available is from the brand Arm & Hammer. If you can't find it locally, washing soda is readily available online.
What is washing soda used for?
Besides adding washing soda to laundry loads along with regular liquid or powder detergent, here are a few other DIY cleaning ideas:
- Dissolve it in water to make a presoak solution for coffee stains, tea stains, grease, and blood.
- Remove greasy buildup from pots, pans, and oven racks. It is very good for removing coffee and tea stains from ceramics and plastic storage containers.
- Mix 1/2 cup of washing soda in 1 gallon of warm water to clean bathroom scum and for general cleaning around the house.
- Pour 1 cup of washing soda into a clogged drain followed by 2 or 3 cups of boiling water. Allow the washing soda to work for 30 minutes, and flush the drain well with plain water. Repeat as needed.
- Clean outdoor furniture and decks.
How can I make my own washing soda?
Can’t find washing soda and don't want to order it online? Make some with a simple chemical reaction — by slowly heating baking soda. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is easy to find down the baking aisle of your supermarket and it’s very inexpensive. Heating the baking soda releases the carbon dioxide and water molecules. Once the process is complete, you’ll have dry sodium carbonate or washing soda.
- Place about 2 cups of baking soda in a shallow baking dish or baking sheet. Working in smaller quantities is easier to monitor and control.
- Place the dish in a 400-degree oven for one hour.
- Stir the baking soda and smooth out to an even layer.
- Bake it an additional hour at 400 degrees F.
- Allow the soda to cool completely. (Once complete, the washing soda will look more grainy and dull compared to the baking soda.)
- Store the washing soda in an airtight container away from children and pets.
How can I make my own laundry detergent?
To make your own laundry detergent using washing soda, you'll need just a few supplies:
- 1 bar of castile soap, finely grated (or any natural soap bar or 1 cup pre-grated soap flakes)
- 2 cups washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 cups borax (optional)
- Finely grate the soap. (If you prefer not to grate the soap you can chop it into cubes and break it down in a heavy-duty blender.)
- Combine the soap in a large bowl with the borax, washing soda, and baking soda.
- Whisk or stir together so the ingredients are well-distributed. (Don't inhale the dust as you're mixing. It can be irritating.)
- Store in an air-tight container to prevent clumping.
Once you're ready to do laundry, use 2 to 3 tablespoons of powder per load, but experiment to find what works for you.
