Washing Soda
Washing Soda — Dense Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate, Na₂CO₃)
Washing Soda, also known as dense soda ash or sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), is a versatile, alkaline cleaning and household product. Its powerful grease-cutting and water-softening properties make it useful for tackling stubborn dirt, grime and everyday household cleaning jobs.
Useful Household and Cleaning Uses
Laundry booster: Add to washing powder to help lift dirt and improve cleaning performance, particularly in hard water.
Stain removal: Help tackle greasy, oily and heavily soiled clothing and fabrics. Always check fabric-care instructions first.
Soaking heavily soiled items: Useful for soaking work clothes, cleaning cloths and other washable items before laundering.
Kitchen cleaning: Cut through grease and grime on washable surfaces, cookware, rangehood filters and other hard surfaces.
Bathroom cleaning: Help remove soap scum and built-up grime from suitable washable surfaces.
General-purpose cleaning: Make a diluted solution for cleaning floors, walls, tiles and other compatible hard surfaces.
Oven and barbecue cleaning: Its alkaline nature makes it useful for loosening baked-on grease and grime.
Dishwashing assistance: Can help soften hard water and improve cleaning performance when used appropriately.
Water softening: Sodium carbonate can reduce the effects of hard water, helping detergents work more effectively.
Garage and workshop cleaning: Useful for removing grease, oil and grime from suitable washable tools and hard surfaces.
Deodorising: Its cleaning action can help freshen areas affected by stubborn dirt and odours.
Outdoor cleaning: Useful for cleaning suitable outdoor surfaces, equipment and heavily soiled items.
Why Choose Washing Soda?
Washing soda is a multi-purpose, economical and highly effective alkaline cleaner that can be used for a wide range of household tasks. A small amount can go a long way, making it a practical addition to your cleaning cupboard.
| Product | Washing Soda |
| Sodium carbonate Na₂CO₃ | |
| Also Known As | Washing Soda, Dense Soda Ash, Soda Ash |
| Alkaline Cleaning Powder | |
| 2.5 Kg |
Important Safety Information
Washing soda is alkaline and can irritate the eyes and skin. Wear gloves and avoid contact with eyes. Avoid breathing dust and use in a well-ventilated area. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not mix with acids or other cleaning chemicals unless specifically directed by the product manufacturer. Follow the product label and safety data sheet for handling, storage and intended use.
Not the same as baking soda: Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is chemically different from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and is considerably more alkaline.
Additional information
A Simple Laundry Powder Recipe
- 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 1 cup sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- 1 cup pure soap flakes or finely grated plain laundry soap
- Optional: ½ cup sodium percarbonate for extra stain-lifting/whitening power
Combine all ingredients thoroughly in a dry bowl.
Break up any lumps and transfer to an airtight container.
Label the container clearly and keep it dry and out of reach of children.
How to use
Regular load: 1–2 tablespoons per wash.
Heavily soiled laundry: up to 2–3 tablespoons.
For best results, use the amount appropriate for your machine, water hardness and load size.
A few tips
For front-loading/high-efficiency machines, start with a small amount because homemade powders can produce excess residue or suds depending on the soap used.
If your water is very hard, you can increase the washing soda slightly.
Sodium percarbonate is useful for white laundry and colourfast items, but check care labels before using it on coloured or delicate fabrics.
Don’t use washing soda on wool, silk or other delicate/protein fibres unless the manufacturer specifically says it’s suitable.
Don’t mix the finished powder with chlorine bleach or other cleaning chemicals.
