Whether you have hard water or are just looking for a natural way to clean your clothes, washing soda can be just the ticket. This all-natural product is found all over the web and in the laundry aisle at your local grocery store. Check out a few of the top brands of washing soda and where you can buy them.
Where to Buy Washing Soda
Many grocery stores and big box stores carry washing soda in their laundry aisle. It's typically kept with Borax--a cleansing agent often paired with washing soda to make laundry soap--and other specialty items. The washing soda may not be listed on the store's webpage, and stock in your local store may fluctuate by demand; call your local store before going down to see if they carry it and that it is in stock. If you are unable to find washing soda in your local store, it's available at several online retailers in a variety of sizes.
Top Washing Soda Brands
Best Washing Soda in Retail Stores:
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Affordable, easy to access washing soda that can be used all around your home. Read more.
Top Online Washing Soda:
Earthborn Elements Washing Soda
An affordable bucket of bulk washing soda for those heavy duty jobs. Read more.
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda is a go-to in many households. In addition to being affordable, this washing soda is easy to find at any local retailer. The Arm & Hammer brand is fragrance free and doesn't contain phosphates. It works to help boost the power of your laundry detergent to get your clothing cleaner. It's also good for creating many DIY cleaners around your home. In addition to using washing soda on laundry and furniture, you can take it to the kitchen to cut through burnt-on stains.
While it's nice to be able to find washing soda at your local grocery store, you don't have to leave the comfort of your home. Rather, you can order Earthborn Elements Washing Soda and have it delivered right to your house. This washing soda comes in an easy-to-use resealable container for all the jobs around your house. It's also non-toxic and hypoallergenic for when you are making bathroom and kitchen cleaners.
The Earthborn Elements Washing Soda is guaranteed to be pure and does not contain other chemicals like petroleum or dyes. It also works great to soften hard water. And, you can find it at several online retailers, if you prefer to shop around. Larger sizes are also available.
When you're trying to limit your carbon footprint, you need to consider the packaging used for your product. Pure Organic Ingredients Washing Soda uses all-natural soda ash and eco-friendly packaging on its product. In addition to using it in the laundry room, many reviewers stated this product was perfect for creating a homemade dishwashing detergent.
However, this product isn't typically available in your local grocery store like the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. In that case, you'll have to order it online, which can be a hassle if you need some in a pinch.
Sky High Suds All Natural Washing Soda is another eco-friendly product that you can easily find online. This product includes 100% natural sodium carbonate without fillers or dyes. It also contains recyclable packaging and wooden measuring spoons.
The 100% USA-made product is also affordable and available from several online retailers. While this product states it's fragrance-free, it does leave a bit of a scent on clothing.
What Is Washing Soda?
Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, is a naturally occurring compound of salt and limestone used for everyday cleaning of almost anything from floors to walls or drains to sinks. It's known by a few other names like soda, soda ash, and sodium carbonate. If you make your own laundry detergent or household cleaners, you'll want to invest in some.
Washing Soda vs. Baking Soda
The difference between baking soda and washing soda is their chemical make-up. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) while washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Notice that baking soda only has one sodium atom and hydrogen. That small change is what makes baking soda safe to eat. Given the chemical difference, baking soda is safe to use in toothpaste and cooking. However, sodium carbonate is a caustic chemical that should not be consumed.
Washing Soda From Baking Soda
If you are unable to find washing soda near you, or you're waiting for your shipment to arrive, it is possible to turn your baking soda into washing soda by baking it in the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Spread your baking soda out on a baking sheet.
- Place the sheet in the preheated oven and bake, stirring occasionally until the soda changes consistency, becoming coarser --about 30 minutes.
- Allow it to cool, then use it as you would washing soda.
Finding and Using Washing Soda
Once you have your washing soda, you'll find it invaluable at boosting your laundry detergent, making your own detergent, or cleaning hundreds of different items in your house. Stock up to make sure you always have some on hand and find out just how useful this product can truly be.