Mixing soda crystals with laundry powder???

Mrs_Domino · 6 April 2011 at 7:19PM

Brooktop wrote: »

Bitterandtwisted is correct, you shouldn't use them alone as a detergent replacement...but you can make up your own powder with traditional products. Video here

Could I use this on my little ones clothes? He's 17 1/2 months now.

Thanks

rinabean · 6 April 2011 at 9:30PM

You don't need to make gloop - just use equal parts soda crystals and soap flakes. About 2 tablespoons is the right amount for my clothes (just worn, not actually dirty) in a front-loading machine.

It's as safe and gentle as the soap you use. Soda crystals are not good for you if you actually put them on your skin, but they wash out just fine.

Ben84 · 7 April 2011 at 11:38PM

Soda crystals are great for lots of things, but not so much as a replacement for washing powder. They are normally a component in washing powder, but the powder contains other useful substances that protect the washing machine and give better cleaning results too. A 1 Kg carton of washing powder on offer at my local shop is often about £1, which is very similar to the cost of soda crystals anyway, so there's little reason to replace it with them.

I use soda crystals to clean the loo and bathroom tiles/fixtures as they leave a very clean shiny finish. I also use them with hot water from the kettle to soak greasy fabrics like the oven gloves before washing in the machine. I sometimes shake some in the sink when washing up very greasy pots.

Elisheba · 3 March 2014 at 2:19PM

Hmm, the Grandma's Way for Modern Days book suggests using only washing soda for laundry - 3 tbsp for soft water, 4 tbsp for hard water. Has anyone had any luck with this?

Also as an update on price, 1kg Soda Crystals are now £1 in Tesco's. Thats over 300% increase in price since 2006:(!