While there are no shortage of fantastic cleaning products out there – from multi-purpose sprays to vacuums that’ll have your house sparkling in no time — some of the most reliable are versatile basics like baking soda and washing soda.
What’s the difference between baking soda and washing soda?
Though washing soda (also known as sodium carbonate or soda ash) may not get quite as much attention as baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate), it’s another type of chemical compound that has plenty of household uses.
The main difference between the two is that baking soda can be used for both cooking and cleaning, while washing soda can only be used for cleaning and laundry only. Washing soda also has a larger crystal-like texture, while baking soda has more of a powdery texture. You should also wear gloves when handling washing soda, since it’s a stronger alkali that could cause skin irritation.
How to clean with washing soda
Like baking soda, Arm & Hammer is the most popular brand of washing soda, and it can generally be found in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores. Its applications go way beyond refreshing dirty clothes, though. There are a dozen household items you can clean with washing soda, according to the cleaning pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute:
1. Stains
For heavily soiled laundry, use one full cup of washing soda along with the typical amount of detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle. You can also pre-treat stains with a paste of 4 tablespoons washing soda and ¼ cup warm water. Use rubber gloves to gently rub the paste into the dampened stain and wash as normal.
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2. Soap scum
Because washing soda is a natural water softener, it can help clean stubborn soap scum from areas like toilet bowls, tile, sinks and tubs (just don’t use it on fiberglass). To clean these areas, dissolve ½ cup washing soda in a gallon of warm water, scrub thoroughly and rinse well.
3. A greasy stovetop, oven, range hood or exhaust fan
To eliminate stubborn grease and grime from surfaces, mix a solution of ½ cup washing soda and a gallon of warm water and apply with a damp sponge. For burners, remove them and let them soak in the solution for at least 30 minutes before rinsing and drying.
4. Cookware
To clean heavily soiled pots and pans, sprinkle washing soda on a damp sponge, scrub and then rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, you can make a paste of two parts washing soda, one part water and apply to stained areas. Let stand for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
RELATED: How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans
5. Plastic garbage bins
To clean a stinky garbage can, dissolve ½ cup of washing soda in a gallon of warm water, wash the the surface, rinse and let dry.
6. Small appliances
If your toaster oven or food processor is caked in grease or could simply use a refresh, wipe the exterior with a solution of ½ cup washing soda dissolved in a gallon of warm water.
7. Outdoor furniture
Plastic and wrought-iron furniture can be revived with a solution of ½ cup washing soda dissolved in a gallon of warm water. For plastic furniture, simply wipe down with a cloth or sponge. For wrought iron, scrub with a stiff-bristled brush, hose off and let dry.
8. Garden tools
If shovels, clippers and other yard tools have seen better days, you can use a damp stiff-bristled brush to scrub them with washing soda. Once clean, hose off the tools and let them air dry.
9. Grill grates and utensils
When your barbecue is caked with grease, scrub the grates with washing soda using a damp stiff-bristled brush and then rinse well. You can also soak grates and tools in a solution of ½ cup washing soda dissolved in a gallon of warm water before rinsing and drying.
10. Shower curtains
Banish mold and mildew from your shower curtain by soaking it in a solution of washing soda and water, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
RELATED: How to Clean a Glass Shower Door
11. Silver jewelry
To remove tarnish, line a bowl with aluminum foil, then fill with hot water and a small amount of washing soda. Let the crystals dissolve, then add your silver jewelry and let soak for up to 15 minutes. Once it stops fizzing, rinse and buff with a soft lint-free cloth until thoroughly dry.
RELATED: How to Clean Jewelry
12. Concrete floors
Apply a paste of washing soda and water on oil and grease spills, let stand overnight, then scrub with a damp brush, hose down and wipe dry.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
