You may have heard people talk about soda crystals (also known as washing soda, soda ash, and sodium carbonate) or seen a box in the laundry aisle. This laundry additive is an old-fashioned product commonly used in homemade laundry detergent recipes. However, it has other household cleaning uses, including degreasing surfaces and unclogging drains.

What Are Soda Crystals?

Soda crystals, an odorless white powder that dissolves in water, are alkaline, mildly abrasive, and a popular ingredient in homemade laundry detergent, where the product is often used in conjunction with baking soda. The two, while similar, perform different functions; baking soda is used as a brightener, softener, and odor eliminator, while soda crystals’ strength lies more in stain removal. It is highly effective at stripping residue from oils and minerals.

Due to its alkalinity, soda crystals soften hard water. In areas with hard water, soda crystals can be used to increase the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, making cleaning easier and more effective.

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Are Soda Crystals and Baking Soda the Same Thing?

While chemically similar, soda crystals and baking soda are not the same thing. Soda crystals (sodium carbonate) are more abrasive than baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and more highly alkaline, with a pH of around 11.5, whereas baking soda has a pH of around 8.3. Caustic soda crystals cannot be ingested; baking soda is edible and non-irritating.

When used for cleaning, soda crystals serve as a laundry booster, water softener, and degreaser, whereas baking soda is used for deodorizing and as a mild abrasive for scrubbing surfaces. 

Soda crystals should not be used on aluminum, fiberglass, or waxed, painted, or treated wood, nor on delicate fabrics, including silk, wool, lace, and embellishments.

Safety Precautions to Take When Using Soda Crystals

When working with highly alkaline and caustic soda crystals, it is important to wear household gloves to protect your skin. Alkalines are drying and can irritate the skin. Additionally, take care not to inhale the powder and, if you suffer from respiratory ailments, wear a mask when working with soda crystals.

If you inhale soda crystals, go into open air and allow the affected area to ventilate. If soda crystals come in contact with skin, mouth, or eyes, rinse with water. Seek additional medical attention if difficulty breathing, skin, or eye irritation persists. Seek medical attention if you ingest this product and do not induce vomiting.

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7 Clever Ways to Use Soda Crystals for Household Cleaning

Soda crystals’ abrasive and alkaline properties make them well-suited for household cleaning. Before using this product, consult the usage instructions, take appropriate safety precautions, and test it in an inconspicuous spot to ensure no damage occurs before you apply on the entire surface.

1. Presoak Laundry and Pretreat Stains

To use soda crystals as a laundry presoak, dissolve two tablespoons in a gallon of warm water. Allow the items to soak for at least 30 minutes before laundering as usual. To pretreat stains, make a paste by mixing four tablespoons of soda crystals with ¼ cup warm water. Dampen the fabric, and gently rub the paste into the stain before laundering as usual.

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2. Make an Abrasive Paste for Stained Cookware

Soda crystals can lift stains off of pots, pans, cutting boards, and food storage containers. Sprinkle a little dry soda crystals onto a damp sponge, then scour the stains. To treat deep stains, make a paste of two parts soda crystals and one part water, apply it to the stains, and let it sit for 30 minutes. After using soda crystals on cookware, wash, rinse, and dry the items as usual.

3. Degrease Kitchen and Outdoor Cooking Surfaces

To make a degreasing solution that cuts through stubborn buildup on vent hoods, grills, and other kitchen or cooking surfaces, dissolve ½ cup of soda crystals in a gallon of warm water. 

4. Eliminate Oil and Grease Stains on Concrete

Pour a generous amount of soda crystals onto oil- or grease-stained concrete surfaces, then mist with water until a thick paste forms. Allow the paste to sit overnight. Then scrub the stained concrete with a wet scouring brush, and hose it down to rinse clean.

5. Deep Clean Rags and Mop Heads

Over time, rags and mop heads can develop greasy or oily buildup caused by residue from cleaning agents that regular washing won’t eliminate. Deep-clean rags, mop heads, and other cleaning tools by pre-soaking them in a solution of 2 tablespoons of soda crystals in a gallon of warm water, then washing as usual.

6. Scour Away Soap Scum and Mineral Buildup

In areas with hard water, use a solution of ½ cup soda crystals dissolved in a gallon of warm water to scrub soap scum and mineral buildup off of bathroom and kitchen surfaces, including sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.

7. Unclog Drains

Pour ½ cup soda crystals into the drain. Wait 30 minutes, then slowly pour boiling water into the drain. Repeat until the drain begins to move freely, then flush the drain for 3 to 5 minutes with cool running water.