Here is a great DIY laundry detergent made with washing soda. It makes a large amount that can last for months depending on how much laundry you do. Keep in mind that it does not suds up like regular laundry detergent but it does get your clothes clean for a fraction of what you might spend on regular laundry detergent!
Both bakingsoda and washingsoda are salts of sodium. These are useful in different applications. The key difference between bakingsoda and washingsoda is that bakingsoda is sodium bicarbonate, whereas washingsoda is sodium carbonate.
Where to Get Washing Soda?
Even in our relatively small town, washing soda is easy to find on the laundry aisle of the grocery store and it is also available in boxes and in bulk online. I’ve always just purchased it because it is so inexpensive and versatile and easy to find.
I’ve gotten many comments from readers who don’t live in the US or who live in very rural areas asking if there is a substitute if they can’t find it in their area and a few other readers chimed in that they’ve been able to make it at home from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) which seems to be available practically everywhere.
The best part?
The process of turning sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate is a simple chemical reaction that can be easily accomplished in an oven!
In short, using enough heat for a long enough period of time will change the structure of sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate while releasing excess carbon dioxide and steam.Bonus points if you try this simple method and turn it into a science lesson for your kids at the same time!
How to Make Washing Soda
If you have an oven and are feeling crafty, try this simple method of making washing soda. Another bonus is that baking soda is typically even less expensive (especially at big box stores) and making this at home can help further reduce the cost of budget-friendly cleaning recipes.
Pour a thick (1/2 inch or so) layer of baking soda on the bottom of the baking dish.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring 1-2 times in the middle, or until it has changed in look and feel. Baking soda has a silky/powdery feel and washing soda is more grainy and not silky. The baking soda will need to reach the full 400 degrees for this reaction to take place, so give it time.
Let cool and store in air-tight jar.
Use this homemade washing soda as you would store-bought in natural cleaning recipes, laundry soaps and more!
Hi Kathy, 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.
I have also included a link on how to turn baking soda into washing soda
I wash my dark pants in cold water with regular detergent and a fairly new washing machine (about 1 year old) and the pants come out with white streaks
Every sheet set I have gets creases in the top hem of the top sheet. No amount of ironing takes out the wrinkles. Is there a solution? (Not sure this is a DIY ques...
See more
Here is a link that will tell you what it is and how it works:
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-washing-soda-2145888
Washing soda is a natural cleaner and water softener. Here's a link to learn more about it:
https://www.thriftyfun.com/The-Difference-Between-Baking-Soda-and-Washing-Soda.html
Here is a great DIY laundry detergent made with washing soda. It makes a large amount that can last for months depending on how much laundry you do. Keep in mind that it does not suds up like regular laundry detergent but it does get your clothes clean for a fraction of what you might spend on regular laundry detergent!
https://howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent
This article explains what it is, where to find it and how to make your own. https://wellnessmama.com/76866/washing-soda/
Both baking soda and washing soda are salts of sodium. These are useful in different applications. The key difference between baking soda and washing soda is that baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, whereas washing soda is sodium carbonate.
Where to Get Washing Soda?
Even in our relatively small town, washing soda is easy to find on the laundry aisle of the grocery store and it is also available in boxes and in bulk online. I’ve always just purchased it because it is so inexpensive and versatile and easy to find.
I’ve gotten many comments from readers who don’t live in the US or who live in very rural areas asking if there is a substitute if they can’t find it in their area and a few other readers chimed in that they’ve been able to make it at home from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) which seems to be available practically everywhere.
The best part?
The process of turning sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate is a simple chemical reaction that can be easily accomplished in an oven!
In short, using enough heat for a long enough period of time will change the structure of sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate while releasing excess carbon dioxide and steam.Bonus points if you try this simple method and turn it into a science lesson for your kids at the same time!
How to Make Washing Soda
If you have an oven and are feeling crafty, try this simple method of making washing soda. Another bonus is that baking soda is typically even less expensive (especially at big box stores) and making this at home can help further reduce the cost of budget-friendly cleaning recipes.
Washing Soda Ingredients- Baking Soda
- A large baking dish or baking sheet (I use these stainless steel restaurant pans for this and all of my baking and cooking)
- An Oven
- Patience (and not even very much!)
Washing Soda InstructionsUse this homemade washing soda as you would store-bought in natural cleaning recipes, laundry soaps and more!
This explains it well: https://www.craftylittlegnome.com/washing-soda-vs-baking-soda/
Hi Kathy, 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.
I have also included a link on how to turn baking soda into washing soda
https://naturesnurtureblog.com/how-to-make-washing-soda/
Here is a link to it - https://amzn.to/3b7V5qF You can read the ingredients in the pictures
This tells you what it is and how it is different from baking soda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEzgmllFIBc
Borax soda in a box
Here is some helpful info: https://www.craftylittlegnome.com/washing-soda-vs-baking-soda/
Hi Kathy, hope this link explains what washing soda is to you
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-washing-soda-2145888
Here's a post that might help https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-washing-soda-2145888