Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Products & Appliances

What Is Washing Soda and How Is It Used?

A chemical compound frequently used in laundry detergents

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Mary Marlowe Leverette
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Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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Updated on 01/28/25
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In This Article

Washing soda is one of the most common ingredients in a DIY laundry detergent recipe. Washing soda is a chemical compound, also known as sodium carbonate or soda ash, and it's frequently used in DIY and commercial laundry detergents. Most washing soda is sold under the Arm & Hammer brand and can usually be found in the laundry aisle of most stores.

Read on to learn more about washing soda and its role in cleaning laundry and tackling other household chores.

While You're At It

While you have your washing soda out, use it to freshen up your outdoor furniture cushions for the spring and summer season. It works well to remove stains, and if your cushions are white, they'll end up whiter and brighter.

How Does Washing Soda Work?

washing soda in a jar washing soda in a jar

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Washing soda (an abrasive cleaning agent) should not be confused with baking soda (a less abrasive cleaning agent). However, the two compounds are closely related since they contain the mineral trona.

  • Washing soda and baking soda can be used together in DIY detergent recipes to remove stains. Washing soda has a stronger stripping action to remove residues of oils, minerals, and fabric softeners.
  • Sodium carbonate in washing soda "softens" water to help other cleaning ingredients lift soil from fabrics and suspend the soil in the wash water. The washing soda binds to the minerals that make water hard and allows the detergent to be absorbed into fibers to properly clean the clothes.

Fun Fact

One common source of washing soda is the ashes of burned plants, which is why it's sometimes called soda ash.

7 Uses for Washing Soda

washing soda and laundry washing soda and laundry
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
  • Laundry uses: Washing soda acts as a solvent in laundry, which makes it useful at removing a wide range of stains. Dissolve washing soda in water to create a presoaking solution for tough stains such as grease, blood, tea, and coffee.
  • Removes grease and tannin stains: Washing soda can remove greasy buildup from pots and pans, oven racks, and drip pans. It also removes coffee and tea stains from ceramics and plastic storage containers.
  • Unclog drains: Pour 1 cup of washing soda into the clogged drain, followed by 2 or 3 cups of boiling water to unclog the drains. Allow the washing soda to work for 30 minutes, and then flush the drain well with plain water. Repeat as needed.
  • Removes soap scum: Use it in bathrooms to remove soap scum and around the house for general cleaning of hard surfaces. Mix a cleaning solution of 1/2 cup of washing soda with 1 gallon of warm water.
  • Cleans outdoor areas: Washing soda cleans outdoor furniture and decks well. Use the same cleaning solution as soap scum (above).
  • Controls garden pests: Mix 1/2 cup to 2 gallons of water in a spray bottle to help control aphids, whiteflies, and even black spot on roses.
  • Dyeing fabrics: Some textile artists also use sodium carbonate to help dyes adhere to the fabric. This is particularly useful when creating natural dyes from plants.
using washing soda to clean pots and pans using washing soda to clean pots and pans
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

Warning

Sodium carbonate can be dangerous in large quantities. Keep washing soda out of reach of children and pets. Always wear gloves when cleaning with washing soda because it can cause skin irritation.

How to Make Washing Soda From Baking Soda

making your own washing soda making your own washing soda
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

If you can't find washing soda and don't want to order it online, you can make your own by slowly heating baking soda.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is widely available and inexpensive. Heating baking soda releases carbon dioxide and water molecules, leaving dry sodium carbonate or washing soda.

  1. Place about 2 cups of baking soda in a shallow baking dish or on a shallow baking sheet. Working in smaller quantities is easier to monitor and control.
  2. Place the dish in a 400°F oven. Let it bake for one hour.
  3. Take it out of the oven and stir. Once stirred, smooth it back out to an even layer.
  4. Bake for an additional hour at 400°F.
  5. Allow the baking soda (now washing soda) to cool completely. It will look more yellow and be much more coarse in texture.
  6. Store in an airtight container.
  7. Label and store. Label the container and store it safely out of reach of children and pets.

Washing Soda vs. Baking Soda vs. Borax

Harshness Cleaning Baking Laundry Pest control Fungicide
Washing soda High Yes No Yes Yes No
Baking soda Low Yes Yes Yes Yes Possibly
Borax Medium Yes No Yes Yes Yes

The biggest differences between washing soda, baking soda, and borax are whether they are gentle, harsh, or can be used for baking.

  • Washing soda: This harsh chemical compound is highly alkaline with a pH of 11.
  • Baking soda: This naturally occurring compound can be used to make washing soda but is not a substitute for washing soda. Baking soda is less alkaline with a pH of 8. It's debatable whether it is an effective fungicide.
  • Borax: The alkaline level of this naturally occurring substance is between baking soda and washing soda. Multi-purpose borax has a pH of a bit over 9.
FAQ
  • Are baking soda and washing soda the same thing?

    No, baking soda is less alkaline than the more caustic washing soda. Baking soda can be used for baking but not washing soda. They are not interchangeable.

  • Is borax the same as washing soda?

    Borax and washing soda are not the same thing. While both can be used for cleaning and laundry, washing soda is a chemical while borax is a natural mineral. Borax has more uses than washing soda.

  • What is a substitute for washing soda?

    There is no exact substitute for washing soda. However, if you have baking soda available, you can use it to make washing soda at home.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Trona. Wyoming Mining Association.

  2. How to Strip Your Laundry With Washing Soda. Arm & Hammer.

  3. Sodium Carbonate. National Library Of Medicine.

  4. Baking Soda. Washington State University.

  5. pH of Common Substances. EPA.

  6. Boric Acid. National Pesticide Information Center.