What Are Soda Crystals?

If you’ve been looking into more eco-friendly cleaning products you might’ve come across the name soda crystals.

Soda crystals, or Hydrated Sodium Carbonate as it’s scientifically known, is a soluble natural laundry and cleaning product. Soda crystals are free from bleach, don’t contain any harmful chemicals and they’ve been used for their cleaning properties for years and years!

In fact, before our modern everyday cleaning products came onto the market, people would use soda crystal around the house to carry out all manner of household chores.

Today they’re being used more and more as the world moves towards a better and greener way of life.

 

What Do Soda Crystals Look Like?

Soda crystals are almost always white in colour, and they look a tad like yeast.

 

Where Can Soda Crystals Be Bought?

Soda crystals are so popular today, so you can buy them in most supermarkets and on Amazon. Check out these stores:

• Amazon
• Tesco
• Wilko
• Sainsbury’s
• Morrisons

This is not an extensive list, there are many other shops that sell them too, some even have their own branded products, whereas many stock Dri-Pak.

 

How Are Soda Crystals Sold?

Typically, soda crystals come in 1 kg bags. If you buy the official Dri-Pak version you’ll need to look out for a medium-sized green bag when you go shopping.

Some shops do their own, but you should read the packaging to make sure they are the official product before you make your purchase.

 

How Much Do Soda Crystals Cost to Buy?

Prices can vary from shop to shop, but a 1 kg bag of soda crystals is around £1.10-£2.50. However, you can sometimes buy them on offer – so keep a lookout.

 

What Can Soda Crystals Be Used to Clean?

This natural little beauty has so many uses, literally hundreds of them. It can tackle tough clothing stains, can clean silver jewellery, and it can clean up your patio – but you can read more about its uses here!

 

How Much Soda Crystals Do You Use in a Mix?

You can alter how much of the product you put into a mix as and when you need to. For example, if you have a tough stain you might like to use more soda crystals, but you won’t always have to do this.

A good rule is:

• Mild mix – 1 tablespoon of soda crystals to 1 pint of water
• Normal mix – Half a cup of soda crystals to 1 pint of water
• Strong mix – 1 cup of soda crystals to 1 pint of water

 

Soda Crystal FAQs

Can I use soda crystals in my washing machine?

Yes, you can use soda crystals to clean clothes in your washing machine and to clean the washing machine itself.

 

Will soda crystals make my towels feel soft and fluffy again?

Soda crystals have the power to turn your tough old towels back into smooth and fluffy towels. To do this you need to fill a bucket with warm water and add in some soda crystals. Leave the crystals and towels to soak for about 15 minutes, then pull the towels out and put them in the washing machine on a normal wash.

 

Where shouldn’t I use soda crystals?

You shouldn’t use soda crystals on lacquered, zinc, copper or aluminium surfaces.

 

Are soda crystals basically bicarbonate of soda?

No, soda crystals and bicarbonate of soda are not the same thing. Bicarbonate of soda is used in cooking and soda crystals are used in cleaning. They should not be mixed up! Here are some quick points to show how different these two products are:

Soda crystals

• Hydrated Sodium Carbonate
• Has a pH of 11
• Has a caustic base and is NOT edible.
• Are an abrasive cleaner great for scrubbing – may scratch some softer surfaces.
• Dissolve slowly in water and may leave a residue if not rinsed properly.

Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Has a pH of 8
• Is used for leavening and can be eaten.
• Mild abrasive – often used in toothpaste for gentle stain lifting.
• Dissolve easily and will not need to be as heavily rinsed.

 

What’s liquid soda crystals?

The same as soda crystals except they’re already in a premixed solution for you.

 

Is caustic soda another name for soda crystals?

Caustic soda is not the same as soda crystals. It’s a far more aggressive product. Although soda crystals have a caustic base, this is much milder than straight caustic soda.