How to Make Homemade Washing Soda (Only 1 Ingredient!)
We love sodium carbonate (aka washing soda) as its an alkaline powder thats super effective for cutting through grease, removing stains, and adding a boost to our laundry detergent.
It can even help clean greasy grills and ovens!
It’s another great tool to have in your arsenal if you are making natural cleaning products at home.
The best part about it is you can make it at home using just one ingredient you most likely already have in your kitchen!
Here’s how you do it.
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What Is Washing Soda?
Washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), a highly alkaline compound that’s been used as a natural household cleaner for centuries.
It is more portent than baking soda which makes it perfect to get rid of stains and stubborn grime.
Yes, you can buy washing soda at the store but you can also make it yourself with very minimal effort to help save money.
The Magic Ingredient: Baking Soda
That’s right – the only ingredient you need is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)!
By simply heating baking soda, you convert the sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate by releasing carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Look at us getting all science-y!
Step-by-Step Instructions
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda (any amount – start with 1-2 cups)
- A rimmed baking sheet
- An oven
- A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
Do your best to break up any large clumps of baking soda- this will allow it to heat evenly.
- Step 1: Preheat Your Oven Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is perfect for the conversion process without being so hot that it’s dangerous.
- Step 2: Spread the Baking Soda Pour your baking soda onto a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer. Don’t worry about making it perfectly flat – just spread it out so it heats evenly.
- Step 3: Bake and Stir Place the baking sheet in the oven for 1 hour. Every 15-20 minutes, remove the sheet and stir the baking soda with a wooden spoon to ensure even heating. You’ll notice the texture becoming slightly more granular and the color may appear slightly different.
- Step 4: Cool and Store After an hour, remove from the oven and let it cool completely. The transformation is complete! Your homemade washing soda is ready to use.
How to Tell It’s Ready
It’s a subtle change visually but you’ll notice a few changes that indicate your baking soda has successfully converted to washing soda:
- The texture becomes slightly more coarse and granular
- It may look a bit less bright white than baking soda
- It will feel different when you rub it between your fingers – less smooth than baking soda
Ways to Use Your Homemade Washing Soda
Now that you’ve made your washing soda, here are some great ways to use it:
- Laundry Booster: Add 1/2 cup to your regular detergent for extra cleaning power, especially for heavily soiled items.
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon with 1 cup of warm water for a powerful surface cleaner.
- Grease Cutter: Sprinkle directly on greasy surfaces, let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
- Stain Remover: Make a paste with water and apply to stubborn stains before washing.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle 1/4 cup in the bowl, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub, and flush.
Storage Tips
Store your homemade washing soda in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
It won’t go bad when stored properly.
Label it clearly to avoid confusion with baking soda since they can look similar.
