If you’re on the hunt for a versatile, environmentally friendly, and cheap cleaning solution, you don’t need to look any further than soda crystals!
Soda crystals have been around for years. Over the years, they’ve had a few different names.
But one thing is for sure: they’ve never lost their degreasing, cleaning, deodorising, unclogging, and stain-removing abilities!
Now your interest has been piqued, you’re probably wondering where you buy these wondrous crystals!
Read on to find out where you can pick up the traditional cleaning solution from in the UK.
Soda crystals can be bought from a number of online stores as well as supermarkets/shops in the UK.
You can also pick up soda crystals in powder and liquid form, and you’ll find out where you can buy both versions of the product shortly.
Soda crystals are primarily sold by Dri Pak in the UK. However, there are other versions of this product to be had, but these variations are normally sold online rather than in stores – more on this later.
Where to Buy Powdered Soda Crystals in the UK
Online
The main benefit of buying soda crystals online is that you can bulk-buy the products. So, if you know that you’re going to be using a lot of the item over time, you could save money by buying the soda crystals in large quantities.
In addition, you can also buy soda crystals from different brands. So, you don’t have to stick with the most popular brand, Dri Pak if you really don’t want to.
That being said, if you’re only interested in purchasing a single bag of soda crystals and you’re happy to buy Dri Pak’s version, you could buy them online or in store. There isn’t usually a significant price difference anyway.
Here are a few powdered soda crystal products you can buy online in the UK:
1. Dri Pak’s Soda Crystals
Dri Pak’s Soda Crystals can be used as an all-around cleaner. The crystals can rip through grease, clear out whiffy plug holes, soften laundry, and prevent limescale from building up in the washing machine.
You can buy a 1kg bag of the crystals or get them as a bulk-buy deal.
2. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Arm & Hammer’s washing soda is a detergent booster and general cleaner. It can be used to treat stains, as a water softener, and to clean bathroom/kitchen floors and burnt pots and pans!
The washing soda comes in a yellow box, and each box contains around 1.6 kg of washing soda.
3. Cillit Bang Soda Crystals
Cillit Bang’s soda crystals are part of a broader range of products sold by Cillit Bang. The crystals are capable of handling some hefty tasks, including unclogging sinks and drains, removing rust, cleaning outdoor surfaces, and taking out limescale.
A single tub weighs 500g.
4. Soda Crystals from Homey Mart
Homey Mart’s soda crystals can be unscented or have a lemon smell. They can be used as a general household cleaner (for example, as a degreaser, toilet cleaner, and when pre-soaking stained laundry) and can be bought as part of a bulk-buy deal.
Each box weighs 1kg.
5. Mega buys
As mentioned above, it’s possible to bulk-buy 1kg bags of soda crystals from online stores. It’s also possible to buy industrial-sized bags of soda crystals, like 10-25 kg bags.
It is, however, tricky to get hold of these massive bags because they’re not usually sold in supermarkets and shops.
These big bags of soda crystals are typically sold to professionals, like those in the cleaning world.
Shops and supermarkets
Powder soda crystals can be found in most leading supermarkets in the UK. These include but are not limited to:
- Tesco
- Asda
- Home Bargains
- Morrisons
- Waitrose
- B&M
- Sainsbury’s
- The Range
- Trego Mills
- Booths
- Home Hardware
- B&Q
You will find Dri Pak’s soda crystals being sold in most of the shops listed above (look for a 1kg green pack of soda crystals).
Sometimes, a supermarket will make its own version, but these crystals aren’t necessarily sold everywhere in the UK.
Which aisle are soda crystals in?
You’ll typically find bags of soda crystals in the cleaning aisle of most supermarkets and shops. It’s usually near the washing-up liquid and sponges.
If it’s not there, check the end of the aisles, as it may have been moved as part of a ‘Special buy’ deal for the week.
And if you really can’t find the soda crystals, ask a member of staff for help.
Where to Buy Liquid Soda Crystals in the UK
Liquid soda crystals are usually sold by Dri Pak in the UK and come in 500 ml bottles.
The liquid version has a wealth of uses that are very similar to those of the powdered version. This includes degreasing surfaces, treating stains, cleaning soap scum, and taking out burnt food on pans.
Online
Some of the places you can buy liquid soda crystals online include:
Shops and supermarkets
Liquid soda crystals are harder to come by in shops when compared to powdered soda crystals.
However, this doesn’t mean you’ll never find the liquid version of the product around.
You should check your local supermarkets and hardware stores (like B&Q) and ask the people working there if they sell the item. Liquid soda crystals tend to pop up in the most random of places.
What Can Soda Crystals Be Used For?
Soda crystals can be used for a variety of tasks, including:
- Softening water
- Treating stains
- Preventing limescale build-up in the washing machine
- Unclogging sinks
- Cleaning ovens and racks
- Removing burnt stains from pans
- Cleaning grout
As you can imagine, the list is endless! See our guide to soda crystal uses for more inspiration.
Soda Crystals FAQs
What are soda crystals called in the UK?
Here in the UK, soda crystals are usually known simply as ‘soda crystals.’ However, there are other names for this product, some of which are quite old and others that are less common.
These include:
- Soda crystals (most common).
- Sodium carbonate (this is its science-y name).
- Powder soda crystals (the most common kind of soda crystals – the ones you see in supermarkets).
- Liquid soda crystals (a liquid version of traditional soda crystals).
- Washing soda (a name from years ago).
- Soda ash (less common in the UK).
Are soda crystals the same as baking soda in the UK?
Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda in the UK, is not the same as soda crystals.
There are a number of differences between the two products, including but not limited to their chemical structure, pH levels, and uses.
See our guide on the differences between bicarb and soda crystals to understand more about what makes them different,
Can I put soda crystals in the washing machine?
Yes, you can use soda crystals in the washing machine. Soda crystals can soften the water in the machine (so you get less limescale building up), treat difficult stains on laundry, clean the appliance, and remove greasy deposits from clothes.
Can you put soda crystals down the sink?
Yes, you can put soda crystals down a sink. They’re very good at unclogging the sink’s pipework!
Bethan has a passion for exploring, reading, cooking and gardening! When she’s not creating culinary delights for her family, she’s concocting potions to keep her house clean!
