Soda Crystals

Here we have gathered together a few ideas for uses of Soda Crystals (Washing Soda). We hope you find them useful.

1. Very useful as a degreaser. Dissolve in hot water prior to use (the hotter the better to remove grease). Then use with a cloth, sponge or scourer to clean cooker tops, hoods, ovens, tiles, floors, etc.
2. By adding half a cup of Soda Crystals to your wash load you will soften the water and need to use less of your usual powder.
3. Remove heavy stains on cottons or linens by soaking in a strong solution of Soda Crystals or use Liquid Soda Crystals directly on the stain. Soda Crystals can shift grease, blood, ink, tea and coffee stains.
4. Soda Crystals are renowned for their ability to dissolve grease. Soak greasy clothes and textiles overnight in a strong solution, before washing normally. Laundry Starch can also be used to remove some grease stains on washable clothing or tablecloths. Sprinkle spots with Starch, rub into the stain, and then brush off. Repeat until grease is removed, then launder as usual.
5. A tablespoon in the bathwater makes it very soft. Since the crystals are so diluted they are not harmful at all in this instance. You can also add a teaspoon to the rinsing water when washing by hand, as it softens the water.
6. Soda crystals can be used to remove tarnish from metals such as cutlery, and gold and silver jewellery, but please take advice before immersing precious stones or valuable items. Place tin foil in a dish, add soda crystals and pour on boiling water. Immerse the item, leave for a few minutes, rinse, dry and polish.
7. To clean greasy cooker hoods a 10 minute soak in strong Soda solution will melt the grease away.
8. Great for getting brown stains out of mugs. Half a teaspon per mug (or a whole one if they are really bad), top up with boiling water, and by the time it's cold the stains will wash out easily. Stand your teaspoons in the cups and do 2 jobs for the price of one.
9. A strong soda solution or Liquid Soda Crystals are very effective for removing burnt-on grease and food from pans, dishes and grill pans. Soak stubborn debris overnight. NB Soda Crystals are NOT suitable for aluminium pans.
10. Scrub Chopping boards with Liquid Soda Crystals or a regular solution to remove stains and odours. Soda Crystals will leave no residual smell or taste once rinsed.
11. Descale your kettle by boiling a regular Soda Crystals solution and a raw potato inside. Rinse thoroughly before use.
    NB. Do not use if your kettle has any aluminium components.
12. Flush some Soda Crystals down the loo to clean and freshen, and to help prevent blockages. Use a regular solution to clean toilet brushes too.
13. Use a strong hot solution of Soda Crystals to help keep waste pipes clean and fresh. A regular flushing will help keep waste pipes clear of blockages.
14. Clean wall tiles with a regular solution, or use Liquid Soda Crystals to leave them clean and sparkling. Soda Crystals will bring new life to grouting too.
15. Freshen them up and get rid of that ‘greasiness’ on Sponges, flannels and combs with a soak in a hot regular solution of Soda Crystals.
16. Paintwork (and upvc window frames) will brighten after a wipe-down with Liquid Soda Crystals or use a regular solution of Soda Crystals in warm water. You can prepare bare wood for painting too with a regular solution.
17. A wipe with a regular solution of Soda Crystals will brighten Venetian blinds, and help to shrug off dust.
18. Red wine and food stains can be treated with a strong solution of Soda Crystals. Large spillages can be treated by applying dry crystals directly to the stain, followed by rinsing in clean water. Use Soda Crystals for ink and grass stains too.
19. To clean outdoor wooden floors and decking, dissolve a medium solution of Soda Crystals in hot water and mop as usual.
    To prepare wooden flooring for varnishing or painting, make sure that all debris and flakes are removed and mop with a strong Soda Crystals solution.
20. To clear moss and rotting leaves and to get rid of slime on drives, patios & steps, sprinkle Soda Crystals directly onto the area and leave overnight before brushing off with a stiff broom and plenty of water.
21. Barbecues, grills and utensils - Make up a solution of Soda Crystals (1 cup in 5 litres of water), soak grills and utensils before cleaning with a wire brush. For barbecue body casings, apply with a sponge or brush and leave for an hour before washing off with a sponge soaked in the solution. Rinse off with clean water. A wire brush or scouring pad will help remove burned-on grease and food.
22. Drains, gutters and waste pipes - Pour half a bag (500g) of Soda Crystals directly down the drain and leave for ten minutes before rinsing with very hot water to keep them clear of grease and blockages. Wash gutters with half a cup of Soda Crystals per litre of water to remove rotting leaves etc

Soda Crystals are available for £0.90 for 1Kg