DISQUS

Cindy · 7 months ago

What's washing soda and where do I buy it?

Jodi -- Food Storage Made Easy · 7 months ago

Ok I asked Mary about washing soda as I was curious myself. Her response "Washing soda is sodium carbonate. It is a detergent, water softener, degreaser. Arm & hammer makes some. Grocery store or walmart has it." I couldn't find it at my neighborhood market Walmart but I read about it on another website and it says to look near the laundry detergents and it's normally right by the borax. Also I believe the website soapgonebuy.com has all kinds of cleaner products like that. Good luck and let us know if you find it!

gaby · 7 months ago

wow what a great idea!! thank your jodi and julie for post in these very helpful and thank you mary for sharing it with us I'll give it a try!!!
it sound really good!!!!!

Mary · 7 months ago

Ok, maybe I'm totally spacing it but what is washing soda? Have either of you tested out these concoctions? I'm always hesitant to try out "self made" cleaners for fear that they will ruin whatever I'm cleaning, or not clean it at all and just be a waste of time.

Tina · 7 months ago

Great ideas! Thank you... Does anyone happen to have a recipe for a furniture cleaner similar to "pledge?" I've been looking for a while and would love a recipe. Buying it in the store is SOOOO ridiculously expensive!

Nicole · 7 months ago

I have researched the best cleaner for granite. It is just dish soap and water. I make a mixture and keep it in a spray bottle. I don't have an exact amount. Just enough soap so that it doesn't leave a residue. I've been using this solution for over a year and my granite counters are sparkling clean.

Shauna Wetenkamp · 7 months ago

I know here in California you can get it at Winco and I have a reciepe for laundry soap too.

MaryC49 · 7 months ago

Re: Washing soda - if you can't find it, use a tiny bit of regular laundry soap or castille soap. It's only a teaspoon.
You can use Washing Soda on walls, doors, tile, linoleum, clothes as a stain remover, presoak or detergent booster. You can even use it on concrete to get out greasy stains and so forth.

I have been using all these cleaners for almost year exclusively in my home. We have asthma and allergies so I felt it necessary. The only thing I have not been able to get rid of with these cleaners is mold or mildew stains. I use hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach for that. You can also use regular bleach but the fumes are not very healthy.

Hydrogen peroxide will also get rid of algae in fountains and bird baths without harming the birds.

HTH.

Natalie · 7 months ago

Would it be okay to put essential oils in all of these recipes to make your home smell pretty? Or does it do something to the cleaner?

Elizabeth Golly · 7 months ago

i tried some of these yesterday and oh my the multipurpose cleaner is great and the baking soda on the oven works really well... another tip for an oven with gunk in ball up some tin foil and scrub with it. no water or extras needed. just don't use it on the oven glass. well have a great day.

Menus Nearu · 5 months ago

Yes When we comes to the food matter we must be clean and keep all our materials and products clean......
You have done a great job by sharing your ideas with as.... Thank you....

San · 3 months ago

If it helps - the washing soda box will look a like a big box of baking soda except instead of being orange it will be yellow.
Been using similar recipes for ages & these work. Don't breathe in the borax but borax is great for killing bugs (carpet freshener) and it dried things out or keeps the damp away. I use it as a neutralizer - if I'm worried the shampooer didn't get all of a mess out then I sprinkle borax on the spot to draw it out the rest of the way & make sure any damp left by the shampooer doesn't make it worse.

Question - this probably sounds dim but I'm not s drinker.... what kind of vodka is best for household use??? I've heard the cheap ones can have sediment in them that can cause issues/degrade the quality of what your trying to make. But there are so many kinds I get overwhelmed.