Washing soda is environmentally friendly

Washing soda is environmentally friendly

Washing soda is an old and valuable solution to many household cleaning tasks. It is simple to use and as safe as a chemical can be.

It has been used for many generations, from Napoleonic times even!

So it's a great product to consider as part of your green living kit.

It can be used to clean floors, walls, sinks, drains C in fact almost any surface where you would use a multi-purpose cleaner.

So, what is it?

Also known as sal soda, soda, soda ash and sodium carbonate, it was first created in the laboratory by Nicholas Leblanc a prominent French chemist in the late 18th century. It is made from common salt and limestone.

It does occur naturally. The Egyptians used a naturally occurring compound rich in washing soda to mummify the dead. There are also large natural deposits of it in Wyoming, near the Green River.

Washing soda: How safe is it?

It is quite strongly alkaline so you should not let it be in contact with your skin.

Use rubber gloves when dealing with it.

It is classed as an irritant and is particularly irritating to the eyes.

You should also avoid breathing the dust. As it is usually supplied as a crystal, this isnt hard to do. Once it is dissolved in water it doesn't give off toxic fumes.

As with any cleaning product, keep it away from where small children might find it.

It is very safe for the environment, breaking down easily and causing no problems.

What's it good for?

It is very good for dissolving grease and waxy deposits.

It can be used for getting rid of greasy stains on clothes, and for flushing sinks and drains to get rid of soap scum and grease.

It will give glass ware up a shiny, lustrous appearance. Tiles and bathroom ceramics come up beautifully clean, too.

It will help dissolve burnt on grease from kitchen ware.

If you still use detergent in your washing machine (rather than a laundryball), you can make it go further by adding washing soda. It softens the water, making detergents more effective.

Anywhere you cant use it?

Dont use it on aluminium surfaces, waxed or varnished surfaces or fibreglass items. As it is a strong alkaline substance (PH 11) it will cause damage.

I find that it is not so useful for cleaning rags, dishcloths and other materials because it gives them a slimy feel (vinegar is better) though of course you can use it to remove stains and grease before putting them in the washing machine.

How do you use it?