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How to use washing soda in the household

Washing soda
washing soda can remove even stubborn stains Photo: Getty Images / Halyna Romaniv

October 10, 2024, 11:10 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Washing soda can be used in many ways in the household, including cleaning and laundry. What is soda particularly suitable for, and how should it be used correctly?

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There are numerous cleaning agents to get your home spick and span. Soda ash is also used for cleaning and washing. “If soda is offered for washing and cleaning in the household, then this is also done under the name ‘washing soda,'” explains Dr. Bernd Glassl from the Industrieverband Körperpflege- und Waschmittel e.V. myHOMEBOOK. Read further to find out what washing soda is ideal for and why you should be careful when using it.

What washing soda is suitable for in the household

“Soda ash is the historical name for sodium carbonate (in the ‘chemical spelling’: sodium carbonate),” explains the expert. Today, soda ash or washing soda is used less frequently. In the past, it was part of every household as a cleaning agent.

But why is washing soda so suitable for household use? “With water, soda produces an alkaline solution that works well against greasy dirt when cleaning or washing, both on textiles and hard surfaces,” explains Dr. Glassl. According to the expert, the lye made from soda and water causes textile fibers, especially cotton, linen, and viscose, to swell so that other active washing ingredients can penetrate deep into the fabric and remove greasy dirt.

This effect is particularly practical when soaking heavily soiled textiles. Simply soak the affected textiles in a soda solution about one to two hours before the actual wash cycle.

Soda can also be helpful for heavily soiled pans or other surfaces or for cleaning the greasy tops of kitchen cupboards, for example.

Not a “safe alternative”

When some people think of washing soda, they will automatically think of baking soda. However, they are not the same thing and should not be confused! If you use washing soda for cleaning, it is even recommended that you wear gloves, as it can irritate the skin.

“When using soda ash as a cleaning agent, it should be noted that this substance must be labeled with the signal word ‘Caution,’ the hazard pictogram ‘exclamation mark’ and the hazard statement ‘Causes serious eye irritation’ in accordance with chemicals legislation,” emphasizes the expert.

Soda or washing soda is, therefore, labeled in the same way as many conventional cleaning agents. “It would be a fallacy to think that soda ash is a ‘safe alternative’ to conventional cleaning agents,” says Dr. Nonn.

More on the topic

Advantages and disadvantages of soda ash

Washing soda or soda ash as a cleaning agent has many advantages but also a few disadvantages. For example, 500 grams are available for less than two euros. It is also very versatile in the household and removes stubborn stains from clothes as well as from pans and pots. Washing soda can be used as a washing-up liquid or detergent.

One disadvantage could be that it is still not a harmless household product that can be used without hesitation. Gloves should always be used to avoid skin irritation. And even if it can be used in many different ways, it cannot be used to clean everything. Washing soda can also attack surfaces. Therefore, glass, aluminum, or even marble and granite should not be cleaned with it.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@petbook.de.

Topics Cleaning
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