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 and multipurpose substance.
Washing soda is not baking soda, so it can’t be used with food, but it can be used to clean laundry and handle other household chores.
Through the years, I’ve become an expert in making everything from homemade bread to hand sanitizer to bacon salt, so laundry detergent seems the next logical step! Here’s more about this magical cleaning solution, including how to use it and even make it yourself.
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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.
The sodium carbonate “softens” water by helping other cleaning ingredients lift soil from the fabrics and suspend the soil in the wash water. The compound attaches to the minerals in water that make it hard and allows the detergent to be absorbed into fibers properly to clean clothes.
Sodium carbonate can come 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 it out of the reach of children and pets. In addition, wear gloves when cleaning with the material because it can cause skin irritation.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, it can be harmful to the eyes, irritate the lungs if inhaled, and cause abdominal pain or vomiting if large doses are swallowed.
Most washing soda available is from the brand Arm & Hammer or available online.
What is washing soda used for?
Besides adding 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 ½ cup in 1 gallon of warm water to clean bathroom scum and for general cleaning around the house.
- Pour 1 cup into a clogged drain followed by 2 or 3 cups of boiling water. Allow it to work for 30 minutes, and flush the drain well with plain water. Repeat as needed.
- Use it to 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 in the baking aisle of your supermarket and it’s 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. Here are the full instructions for how to make 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 for 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 to evenly distribute the ingredients. (Don’t inhale the dust as you’re mixing because it can be irritating.)
- Store in an airtight 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.
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