Meet the so-called cousins of the cleaning world.
And are you now questioning and rethinking your entire cleaning routine, including the products you own?
The two items are sometimes used interchangeably in speech and in their applications by many.
Photo:Shiron Agasukujira/Getty Images
This switcheroo is pretty understandabletheyre both powdery, white substances and contain soda in their names.
Plus, theyre both considered old-school cleaning products, used frequently in homemade solutions like scrubs and deodorizers.
So theyre similar, but theyrenotthe same.
We also chatted with a dry-cleaning professional (and laundry product-testing wizard!)
for their tips on how to optimize the performance of each product.
Without further ado, lets explore the washing soda versus baking soda debate.
What Is Washing Soda?
In fact, washing soda was historically created from plant ash.
Nowadays, most washing soda is mined.
(Trona is a mineral, and the largest deposit in the world is actually in Wyoming.)
Its a stronger base than its cousin, sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda), he says.
Try not to go overboard with the stuff though.
According to Pozniak, These boosters can accelerate textile deterioration if used in excess.
What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3).
Actually, most baking soda is derived from washing soda!
Baking soda is slightly alkaline or basic and has a pH of 8.4.
It can neutralize both acidic and basic volatile odors by turning them into non-volatile salts, she says.
This is why baking soda is such a boss at combating so many types of funky aromas.
Youll see it used to deodorize refrigerators, litter boxes, upholstery, carpeting, and in laundry.
(We suggest about 12 cup.)
(yo,neveruse washing soda in a recipe.)
Lets go over the differences between the two.
On the other hand, washing soda tends to have larger and coarser crystals or granules, she says.
Its more grainy, and may have a dull or grayish hue.
Washing soda may appear less pure or clean, compared to baking soda, Muentener explains.
Its not used as liberally as baking soda because its harsher.
Baking soda has a bit more versatility outside of the laundry room.
Its an essential baking ingredient, of course, but its an effective deodorizer around the home too.
Baking soda and vinegar is perhaps the most popular homemade concoction (and science experiment!).
The fizzy reaction mightseemlike its doing something, but Pozniak confirms that mixing them together isvirtually pointless.
The same goes for washing soda and vinegar!
Is Baking Soda or Washing Soda Better for Laundry?
Baking soda is gentler than washing soda, so it wont be as efficacious.
Think of washing soda as a more amped-up version of baking soda.
Limit your use of washing soda to extend the life of your fabrics.
you’re free to actually make washing soda from baking soda.
Stir the powder a few times during the baking process.
