Many people use the two items interchangeably in their applications and speech at times. This move is reasonable given that the names of both things are “soda” and are powdered, white compounds. Furthermore, they are both regarded as traditional cleaning supplies and are widely utilized in do-it-yourself remedies like scrubs and deodorizers. Thus, although they are not the same, they are similar.
We spoke with Arm & Hammer, the brand that is almost now associated in most homes with baking soda and washing soda, to dispel any misconceptions regarding the two components. We also had a conversation with an expert in dry cleaning (as well as laundry product testing) to get their advice on how to maximize each product’s performance.
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What Is Washing Soda
Technically speaking, washing soda (also known as soda ash) is a naturally occurring chemical substance that is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). In actuality, plant ash was once used to make washing soda. Most washing soda is mined these days. According to Arm & Hammer’s Lisa Muentener, a research and development specialist, washing soda is now extracted from trona ore in the US. (Trona is a mineral; in fact, Wyoming has the world’s greatest deposit.)
With a pH of 11, washing soda is incredibly alkaline and therefore very good in removing grease and stains. To put things in perspective, the pH range of dish soap is 7 to 10, whereas the pH range of bleach is 11 to 13.
Washing soda is therefore more effective than dish soap and almost as effective as bleach, which is why cleaning caddies continue to stock it.
Household Applications
In addition to improving the effectiveness of your other laundry products by softening hard water, which has a reputation for interfering with detergent solubility, washing soda is generally used to remove greasy grime and food stains from clothing. (Basically, hard water makes it difficult for the detergent to lather up in the machine and do its function.) Furthermore, washing soda might be able to lessen some of the impacts of hard water, which over time accumulates a mineral deposit that causes garments to feel stiff.
What Is Baking Soda?
NaHCO3 is sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. According to Muentener, the sodium content of this chemical formula is half that of sodium carbonate, or washing soda, indicating that baking soda and washing soda share many molecular similarities. In actuality, washing soda is the main source of baking soda! When carbon dioxide is added during the production process, sodium carbonate that has been taken from the mined trona ore becomes sodium bicarbonate.
With a pH of 8.4, baking soda is somewhat basic or alkaline. The unique chemical property of baking soda is its dual functionality as an acid and a base. It converts volatile smells into non-volatile salts, neutralizing both basic and acidic volatile odours.
Difference Between Washing Soda and Baking Soda
Physical Differences
The texture of baking soda is often fine and powdery, “similar to that of flour or powdered sugar,” and it is bright white or off-white in color. However, the crystals or granules in washing soda are typically bigger and coarser. It may have a dull or grayish color and is more gritty. Comparing washing soda to baking soda, the former may seem less “pure” or “clean.”
Functional Differences
Washing soda is primarily used in laundry to remove stains, soften water, and increase the effectiveness of detergents because it has a higher pH than baking soda and is therefore more caustic. Because it’s harsher than baking soda, it’s not used as frequently.
Use cautious when handling washing soda as it can cause harm to the skin and eyes. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you might want to consider wearing gloves.
There’s a little more to baking soda than just the laundry room. Not only is it a necessary element for baking, but it also works well as a household deodorizer. It’s also a common ingredient in scrubs. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, for example, work well together to lift and whiten stains from a range of surfaces, including grout lines.
Is Baking Soda or Washing Soda Better for Laundry?
While baking soda can be used in conjunction with detergent to address odour-causing loads and even help lift certain stains, washing soda is usually the preferred solution for most difficult laundry tasks. It won’t work as well because baking soda is softer than washing soda. Consider washing soda to be a stronger kind of baking soda.
Clothing can be brightened and stains removed more effectively with washing soda. It is typically used in laundry stripping recipes while baking soda isn’t for a reason. However, as Pozniak previously stated, if used excessively and too regularly, it can be harsh on cloth, especially when compared to baking soda. If you want to prolong the life of your clothing, use less washing soda.
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