Today I’m talking about soda crystals uses around the home. Soda crystals are something that I always have to hand in my eco-friendly cleaning kit which I use to make my DIY natural cleaning products. Soda crystals are my go-to green multi-tasker as they can clean practically anything!
As well as being an eco-friendly workhorse, soda crystals are really easy on the pocket too. A 1 kg cardboard box of soda crystals is around a few pounds and can be picked up online*. Bags of soda crystals can also be picked up in any supermarket, hardware store, or bargain store.
Here are my favourite soda crystals uses to help you stop reaching for synthetic cleaning products:
Soda Crystals Uses Around the Home
1. Washing Machine Cleaner
About once a month it’s worthwhile giving your washing machine a clean. Simply place a cup of soda crystals in the drum and run an empty 90°C wash (or the hottest your machine will go). It really helps clears soap gunk and any hard water deposits from your machine, prolonging the life of your machine.
2. Dishwasher Cleaner
Again, in a similar manner to cleaning your washing machine, soda crystals can be used to clean your dishwasher. Simply add soda crystals to the detergent dispenser then run your dishwasher on the hottest wash your dishwasher allows for to give it a right good clean.
3. Sink and Drain Cleaner
Pour a cup of soda crystals down your sink or drain, then pour down a kettle full of boiled water. This will remove any fatty/grease deposits, making your drain smell sweeter and allow the water to drain away faster.
4. Water Softener
If you live in a hard water area try putting a spoonful of soda crystals in with every laundry load. This helps soften the water, prolonging the life of your machine. It also has the added benefit of improving the cleaning effectiveness of your usual detergent.
5. Wood Burning Stove Cleaner
If the glass of your wood-burning stove is quite sooty soda crystals will take care of that. Simply dissolve a quarter cup of soda crystals in a litre of hot water, and use it to clean the soot off of the glass.
6. Kitchen Cleaner
Greasy cooker hood? Greasy tiles? Dissolve one part of soda crystals in three parts water. Wet a cloth with the solution – I’d recommend wearing rubber gloves – and the grease will wipe off with ease.
Did food splatter your hob? Simply sprinkle some soda crystals on the hob and clean with a damp cloth.
7. Extractor Fan Filter Cleaner
Dissolve two large spoons of soda crystals and three large spoons of laundry detergent in hot water, and use to clean your cooker extractor fan filters with ease. I used to dread this job but soda crystals really do make it easier without too much elbow grease!
8. Toilet Cleaner
Soda crystals make a good bleach alternative to cleaning stained toilets. Try two parts soda crystals to two parts water. Then pour down your solution down the toilet and leave for 15 – 30 minutes before giving it a good scrub with your toilet brush.
9. Clothes Stain Remover
Stained clothes? Remove stains the natural way by adding one cup of soda crystals to a pint of hot water. Next, pre-soak your clothes for an hour before washing as normal. Soda crystals are especially good at naturally removing stains such as tea, coffee, blood, oil, grease, and ink from clothes. This is probably one of my favourite soda crystals uses! I also have more natural stain removal tips this way.
10. Tea and Coffee Cup Stain Remover
You know those pesky stains you get in the bottom of mugs? To remove them add half a teaspoon of soda crystals per mug and fill with boiling water. Leave to soak until cool, and then rinse and wash as normal. The stains should wash out easily.
11. Cleaning Pots, Pans, and Baking Trays
If your pots have burnt on food that just won’t budge add a quarter cup of soda crystals and fill the pan with boiling water. Leave to soak overnight and clean as normal. The food should shift quite easily with very little scrubbing
12. Cleaning Ovens
Cleaning the oven is my least favourite job. Thankfully soda crystals can make life a little easier. Simply run a shallow amount of hot water into your bathtub, and add a cup of soda crystals. Place your racks and grill tray in the soda crystals solution, and leave for 30 minutes. Then give them a quick scrub and they should come up lovely and clean without too much hard work!
See my full guide to homemade oven cleaner for more tips and tricks.
13. Washing Clothes
For a really thrifty take on laundry, you can use soda crystals to reduce the amount of detergent you use by half. Use 50% detergent and 50% soda crystals in the drawer for really clean fresh-smelling clothes.
14. Floor Cleaner
For an eco-friendly floor cleaner, add 1 tablespoon of soda crystals to a mop bucket of hot water. You can add essential oils too. My favourite combination is 10 drops of tea tree oil for its disinfectant properties, and 20 drops of orange essential oil for a fresh and clean citrus aroma.
15. Removing Crayon Marks From Walls
Kids run amok? Worry not! Simply add an equal part of water to an equal part of soda crystals and mix to form a paste. You can then use this paste to scrub the crayon mark off of the wall. However, don’t use this on wallpapered walls. It’s also advisable to spot test on a hidden part of your wall (maybe behind some furniture). This is because soda crystals can remove some of the paint on brightly coloured walls.
A final word of warning – don’t use soda crystals on aluminium as it’s corrosive. Also, wear rubber gloves when cleaning with strong concentrations of soda crystals as it can irritate the skin when used in a concentrated manner.
What are your favourite soda crystals uses? Have I missed any?
PS: if you liked this, then you might also be interested in these uses for borax, and how to make your own homemade cleaning products.
PPS: I have written a book on green cleaning – packed full of recipes for natural cleaning for all around the home. It includes heaps of recipes made using soda crystals. You can check it out here!
