It Takes Time

Natural living, one step at a time

Navigation
  • Home
  • Natural Living
    • House
    • Beauty
    • Foodie
    • By Kids for Kids
  • DIY
  • Recipes
  • Natural Health
    • Dental
    • Gut Health
    • Detox
    • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Unseen Reality
    • Microbes & Mold
    • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • About Andrea

DIY Washing Soda




Yum

July 9, 2014 by Andrea Fabry 5 Comments

Washing soda makes a great addition to any natural household. Did you know it’s simple to make yourself using baking soda?

DIY Washing Soda ITT

Washing soda offers a nice punch for cleaning since it has a higher pH than its “cousin,” baking soda. Washing soda is sodium carbonate. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda has a pH of 8.4, washing soda a pH of 11.

pH-Diagram (1)

Just as its name implies, baking soda is great for baking since it reacts with an acid to create an airy, spongy texture. (This is why baking soda, an alkali, is combined with cream of tartar, an acid, to make baking powder.) Washing soda, on the other hand, is great for cleaning since it consumes twice as much acid as baking soda. It is too caustic, however, for baking.

Since the two are closely linked, it’s possible to transform baking soda into washing soda simply by heating it. The heat causes the baking soda to release steam and carbon dioxide, leaving a more alkaline substance behind in the form of washing soda.

Since washing soda is not as readily available as baking soda, it may be simpler to make your own.

Directions:

Spread an ample amount of baking soda on a cookie sheet or any other baking pan. Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper if desired. (Doing so makes it simpler to pour the finished product.) Heat in oven at 400 degrees.

DIY Washing Soda featured image

Remove pan after 30 minutes or so. Allow to cool. Transfer to a suitable container. Voilà: washing soda!

You’ll notice the powder has become grainy and more crystalline. In the photo, the baking soda is on the left and the washing soda is on the right. If you’re not sure if the process worked, and can’t see the difference, try tasting both. You’ll know right away!

DIY washing soda side by side

Looking for ways to integrate washing soda into your household?

  • DIY Liquid Laundry Soap
  • DIY Powdered Laundry Soap
  • DIY Automatic Dishwasher Tablets

Want to stock up on baking soda? I buy baking soda in 50-pound bags from Azure Standard. Check the Azure website to see if they deliver to your area. Costco also sells bulk packaging of baking soda.

How do you use washing soda in your home?

Related Posts

  • Natural Cleaning Tote
    56
    Natural Cleaning ToteEvery Saturday morning I grab this tote and scour the bathrooms using chemical-free, inexpensive products. I'm free of hazardous vapors and my bathrooms still sparkle! I use this mesh shower tote to allow breathing room, but any tote will work. Here are the products it contains: Baking soda. Keep the…
    Tags: soda, baking, cleaning
  • Natural Tile Cleaner
    55
    Natural Tile CleanerLooking for a healthier way to clean your shower tile? Conventional products promise the task will be easy. But the convenience comes at a price. In the past I've tried unsuccessfully to scrub with my natural cleaning products. I needed something with an added punch. I found it for $1.88…
    Tags: baking, soda, cleaning
  • 5 Cheap Natural Cleaning Products
    45
    5 Cheap Natural Cleaning ProductsTrying to use fewer chemicals in your home? Are you frustrated with the higher prices of healthier options? Switching to natural cleaning and personal care products need not be expensive. Consider adding these five products to your regimen and enjoy the savings. Five Natural Cleaning Products 1. Vinegar White vinegar…
    Tags: soda, baking, cleaning
  • DIY Laundry Soap
    44
    DIY Laundry SoapIt's easier than you may think to make your own laundry soap. With three simple ingredients you can avoid harsh chemicals and keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean. [mpprecipe-recipe:3] What about cold water loads of laundry? Blend the powder ahead of time in warm water OR use a liquid…
    Tags: soda, baking, diy, washing
  • DIY Goo Gone
    42
    DIY Goo GoneThis affordable degreaser will get rid of those sticky adhesives so you can repurpose your glass jars. It can also be used on kitchen cabinets or inside ovens! DIY Goo Gone Combine your favorite kitchen oil with baking soda and you've got a multi-purpose homemade degreaser and anti-adhesive formula! DIY…
    Tags: diy, cleaning, soda, baking

Filed Under: Cleaning, DIY, House Tagged With: baking soda DIY cleaning, cleaning, DIY, soda, washing, washing soda

« DIY Ant Trap and Pesticide Powder
Gluten-free Chocolate Cupcakes with Secret Ingredient »

Comments

  1. Deb Gatz says

    April 25, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    Hi Andrea! I clicked on the “recipe” for the powdered laundry detergent but the page that popped up said the information is no longer available. Is there another place I can find this info? Thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      April 25, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      Hi Deb. Sorry about that. This is the link.http://it-takes-time.com/2014/03/diy-laundry-soap.html Thanks for the heads up. I’ll fix the link.

      Reply
  2. Diane says

    May 4, 2016 at 4:24 am

    Baking soda plus a bit of Dawn detergent make the best soft scrub recipe.
    Have you used washing soda in a swimming pool?
    I use baking soda in my pool instead of the chemical recommended. I’ll have to see if washing soda would work too.
    Thanks for the tip, washing soda is getting harder to find!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      May 4, 2016 at 7:56 am

      I’d be interested to hear what you find out about washing soda for pools, Diane!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 44 Homemade Natural Cleaning Products & Recipes | Natural Family Today says:
    March 10, 2014 at 4:06 am

    […] My Healthy Green Family 30. Non Toxic Bleach Alternative – Real Food Whole Health 31. DIY Washing Soda – It Takes Time 32. Homemade Scented Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets – DIY Natural […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

Follow

Now Available on Amazon

10 Things I’ve Learned (The Hard Way)

1. The answer may be right in front of you.
2. Time is often the best medicine.
3. Speak kindly to yourself.
4. The air we breathe matters.
5. It's better to know than not know.
6. Relinquishment is a balm for the soul.
7. Symptoms will instruct if we listen.
8. Sometimes you're the expert.
9. Allow hindsight to move you forward.
10. The next step is enough.

The Connecting Place Latest Episode

Listen to "Behind the Scenes: Mold Questions" on Spreaker.

Popular Posts

How to Make Water Kefir

DIY Laundry Soap

Looking for safe products?

Natural Living

Are you learning to cook with real food? Clean without chemicals? Use safer products on your skin? Natural living is fun and rewarding. Come join the fun!

Copyright 2023 It Takes Time - Andrea Fabry