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Soda Crystals

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Hello

I have bought my vinegar and soda crystals to use for my washing.

I have done serveral loads now with the vinegar in the fabric conditioner compartment and some soda crystals in the drum along with a reduced quantity of my regular powder.

I can't seem to get any thing soft everything seems really hard.

What quantities should I be using?

Also where does adding the bicarb come into it?

What do you mainly use soda crystals for? 126 votes

Clearing sinks and drains (indoors and out)
34% 43 votes
Cleaning Pots & Pans
8% 11 votes
Laundry / water softening
38% 48 votes
Getting moss off drives/patios
3% 4 votes
Surface and oven cleaning
7% 10 votes
Cleaning silver jewellery
3% 5 votes
Other
3% 5 votes
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Comments

  • Edinburghlass_2
    Edinburghlass_2 Posts: 32,680 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Best not to add bicarb to that concoction in the washing machine else it will bubble out the door :rotfl:
  • I've been using three dessert spoons of vinegar (can't find my tablespoons anywhere!) and one heaped dessert spoon of crystals, and that seems to work fine for me.

    I also bought a big box of powder last week instead of the tablets, and I've been using 1-2 dessert spoons of that depending on what I've been washing.

    Kate
  • Curry_Queen
    Curry_Queen Posts: 5,589 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    :rotfl: @ Edi'lass!!

    I do the same as you Katie and have great results from it too :)
    "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
    ~
    It is that what you do, good or bad,
    will come back to you three times as strong!

  • bootman
    bootman Posts: 1,985 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Thank you.

    I think I need to increase the vinegar and cut down on the soda crystals and forget about the bicarb.

    Many thanks
  • Dri_Pak_Soda_Crystals_1kg.jpg

    I’ve purchased these soda crystals recently but applications, quantity/dilution instructions are nowhere to be found on the packaging, just three general images
    on the front.

    So what exactly are Soda Crystals?
    Are they corrosive?
    Where can they be safely used, for what purpose and in what quantities?


    Thanks in advance.
    FF ;)
    ;)Do It To Them Before They Do It To You ;)
  • I tip about half a bag in the sink then run the hot water until they disolve to keep the pipes clear icon7.gif

    Hi btw :hello:
  • xueta
    xueta Posts: 480 Forumite
    Soda crystals = Sodium carbonate decahydrate

    Very useful as a degreaser. As per the previous post, dissolve in hot water prior to use (the hotter the better to remove grease). Then use with a cloth, sponge or scourer to clean cooker tops, hoods, ovens, tiles, floors, etc. Can also use in laundry.

    Always wear gloves when handling and rinse well after use. The solution is highly alkaline and corrosive. (The dry crystals will also dissolve on contact with skin, etc so be careful). It can produce burns on the skin and even worse damage to eyes - if splashed, rinse immediately with copius amounts of cold water and seek urgent medical advice. Used with care though, soda crystals are very handy to have around the home.
  • Quasar
    Quasar Posts: 121,720 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Also, I find that a tablespoon in the bathwater makes it very soft. Since the crystals are so diluted they are not harmful at all in this instance. You can also add a teaspoon to the rinsing water when washing by hand, as it softens the water.
    Be careful who you open up to. Today it's ears, tomorrow it's mouth.
  • Pink.
    Pink. Posts: 17,650 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Mr Pink uses it to deal with the drains....not quite sure what he does with it, but I imagine it's something along the lines of the posts above.

    Soda crystals can also be used to remove tarnish from metals. I have used it with cutlery, and gold and silver jewellery, but please take advice before immersing precious stones or valuable items.

    I place tin foil in a dish, add soda crystals and pour on boiling water. Immerse the item, leave for a few minutes, rinse, dry and polish.

    Pink
  • Hmmmmm have I been adding the wrong stuff to my whites wash all this time!!! :eek: :o


    I've got the above bag but thought it was washing soda :o
    "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
    ~
    It is that what you do, good or bad,
    will come back to you three times as strong!

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