How to Make Washing Soda
Washing soda is a chemical compound that can be used to remove stubborn stains from laundry and is an essential component in most homemade laundry detergent for powder, liquid, or single pod formulas. It is often used in commercial detergent mixtures as well to treat hard water.
If you can't find washing at the store you can actually make it from baking soda.
Baking soda and washing soda are similar but if you are using a homemade cleaning recipe that calls for washing soda then you don't want to substitute it for baking soda as the results won't be the same.
When you heat baking soda it releases steam and carbon dioxide transforming it into soda ash, or washing soda.
This is a fun chemistry experiment that you can include the kids with too!
Baking soda is on the left and washing soda is on the right. The washing soda looks slightly more grainy. The baking soda looks smoother.
Spread baking soda into a shallow oven safe dish 1/2 inch thick.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cook for 40 minutes. Stirring occasionally to mix the baking soda so that it cooks evenly.
Up close shot of the homemade washing soda.
After the washing soda is complete, let it cool and store it in an airtight container like Tupperware.
Comments
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I've done this and it works. changes powdery baking soda to grainy washing soda. Saves money from buying washing soda. great share.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Can you microwave it instead of 40 minutes in the oven?
Thank you