WHICH SODA TO USE?
Baking,Bicarbonate AND WASHING Soda.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Hold your mixing bowls, folks! We need to clear up a little confusion. Bicarbonate of soda and baking powder may seem like twins, but they’re actually more like distant cousins. Baking powder is a mix of baking soda, an acidifying agent (like cream of tartar), and a moisture-absorbing agent (like cornstarch). Unlike baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and baking soda do not contain these additional ingredients and are used differently in recipes. So you can keep the baking powder for your fluffy baked goods, and out of your cleaning closet!
So what is Washing soda?
Washing soda is also known as sodium carbonate, soda ash, or soda crystals. They are related to baking soda, but are processed differently. Washing Soda is MUCH more alkaline in comparison to Baking soda, it has a pH of 11, which is why it is so effective at breaking down stains. It is also a base component of many laundry powders, but can cause minor skin irritations, so wear those gloves..
WASHING SODA WORKS BEST ON TOUGH STAINS
Washing soda, also known as ‘Soda ash’, is a highly alkaline (11.4 pH) white powder derived from sodium soil-grown plant cinders. Baking soda is approximately 8.3 ph, and bleach is between 11-13 ph. It is widely used in industrial applications such as glass making. However, it has recently gained a reputation as a ‘laundry booster’ in households, capable of removing even the most persistent stains and odours. This simple solution quickly breaks down the fatty oils and acids included in filthy markings, making them extremely effective on your garments. It enhances detergent effectiveness in hard water by fusing with minerals that may hinder cleaning.
However, soda ash's powerful cleaning abilities are not limited to laundry. It is equally effective on upholstery, carpets, furniture, household utensils, and metal things such as grills and ovens, sometimes even eliminating accumulated rust. However, its huge, white crystals are extremely corrosive and can injure both your hands and metal surfaces. So, handle Washing soda with gloves and avoid using it on things that you don’t want to be scratched, like fibreglass and aluminium.
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SAFETY WARNING!
Both Bicarbonate of Bicarbonate of soda and Washing soda can be used to clean laundry, both can be used for household cleaning, but while Sodium bicarbonate can be eaten, Washing soda, or “Soda crystals” have a caustic base and are NOT EDIBLE!​​