Soda Crystals: 20 Brilliant Ways To Use Them Around The House

Hi Anita! It's only a very small amount to stop them from browning. You should then rinse the food thoroughly to make sure to get the Soda Crystals off.

My grandma always used a tiny amount of Bicarbonate of soda in the water when cooking cabbage. It cooked very quickly and kept its colour. This is what I do now.

I used to do this t keep the green colour of veg but later read it can deprive you of vitamin c so re think doing this.

Vitamin C is broken down by cooking, or dissolves into the water, I understand - but if the cooking liquid is consumed too, at least some is retained.

You really can't! We love them.

Thanks for sharing, Donna!

Hi Anita, i USED CRYSTAL SODA TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY WASHING MACHINE ON towels,AND NOTICED AT END OF WASH THAT MY towels BECAME DISCOLOURED.CAN YOU PLEASE why IT HAPPENED AND ruined MY TOWELS.

I'm sorry to hear that! How much did you use and at what temperature? They're great for stripping build-up from fabrics, but they might have performed a bit too well for you!

Hi Karen! Yes, they are.

Hi Brian! It should be perfect for this.

Use dishwasher powder to clean a yucky deep fat fryer - just leave it to soak for a bit and it wipes off easily.

Another great suggestion! Thanks, Cristina.

Hi Jan! I have heard of people using soda crystals to clean their kettles, but I haven't tried it myself. I'm not sure how good it would be at removing limescale. You'd probably be better off trying a vinegar treatment.

Use citric acid about a tablespoon to about 2 cups of water and boil the kettle and leave for 10 mins, if there’s still limescale just reboil the kettle with the solution you’ve just boiled . After rinse well and fill kettle with fresh water and boil and empty. Nice clean kettle!

Great idea, Karen!

Great tip! Thanks Ruth.

I bet that'd make a lovely gift!

Hi Gill! Soda crystals shouldn't be used in the dishwasher, especially not in place of dishwasher salts.

Hi Vic! Where is the smell coming from?

My cat pee'd on the carpet, can I use soda crystals to clean this?

Hi Lou! You can use soda crystals to clean carpets. That said, I would opt for an enzyme cleaner when tackling urine. Cat urine can be especially potent!

use bicarbonate of soda it neutralizes cat pee

Great tip! You can sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum it up or clean it with a damp cloth. This can help remove the odour and reduce the acidity of the urine, which can help prevent further staining.

That's interesting, Mick! I hadn't heard of that before.

Hi Krystina! It could work. The best thing would be to ventilate the room as much as possible for a few weeks.

Hi Emma! It should do.

That's great!

Hi Joy! Yes, that is thought to be true. We've updated the article - thanks for pointing that out!

Hi there! Being suitable for vegans is a label that can apply to food, clothing, beauty products and more. It means that the item contains no animal products e.g. a duvet could be suitable for vegans, because it does not contain feathers. It does not mean that the item is edible. Hope that helps!

Great tip, Val!

I store mine in an old vanish plastic tub along with a scoop. A full packet fills about one and a half large tubs.

Fantastic idea! I'm going to try this. :-)

That's a fab idea!

We love an eco-friendly solution!

Hi there! Soda crystals do still come in plastic packaging.

They come in a strong paper bag in my healthfood store (admittedly in France)

Thanks for sharing, Lynda!

The best thing to do would be to run a cycle with 500g of soda crystals.

Hi Rachel! You could try soaking the stain in a soda crystal solution. Hydrogen peroxide would be more likely to work, though.

My Nanna told me to soak blood stained garment overnight in a bowl of cold salt water..it works!

Thanks for sharing!

Cillit Bang degreaser (green bottle top) works great on blood! I spray on the stain and scrub gently with an old toothbrush!

Hi Janice! We're glad that worked for you. However, Cillit Bang is not explicitly designed to remove blood stains. Instead, we recommend a pre-treatment laundry stain remover or a mixture of cold water and laundry detergent. Always check an inconspicuous area of the fabric first.

Hi Karen! I believe soda crystals make dogs throw up. It's best to keep pets away from areas that you're cleaning until they are completely dry again.

Hi Margaret! Normally people use soda crystals to get rid of limescale in the washing machine. For this to work, the limescale needs to be soaked in the soda crystal solution. I think it would be quite difficult to soak your kitchen taps. If the limescale is at the end of the tap, you could try filling a sandwich bag with the solution and tying it onto the end. Leave it to soak for a little while and the limescale should clean off easily. Lots of people use this method with white vinegar, so that could be worth a try too. If the limescale is around the base of the fixture, I would try a different cleaning product. Viakal spray is one of my favourites.

Hi Emma! I'm not sure what you mean. I think you could rinse the showerhead in a solution?

Hi Margaret! You could try it, but I'd use something like baking soda instead. You can put a small dish of it in the fridge to neutralise any odours. You can also get specialised fridge cleaning sprays that would be perfect for deep cleaning.

Hi Margaret, have you tried cleaning the drain hole in the back of your fridge as I was having the same problem. I prepared some bicarbonate of soda in some water and used a small bottle brush and couldn’t believe how much mould came out from it. I repeated it until clear. The smell went and my fridge worked better too. Good luck!

That sounds great!

Hi Diana! I would suggest using vinegar. We have an article with instructions here > https://experthometips.com/how-to-clean-a-smelly-dishwasher

Soda crystals can be used in soap-making to increase alkalinity and aid in the process. To make soap from used cooking oil, you must combine the oil with a strong alkaline solution, such as lye (sodium hydroxide), to create a chemical reaction called saponification. However, using a tested recipe and taking proper safety precautions when making soap with lye is recommended.

Thanks for sharing, Pauline! We're glad you found them helpful.

Soda crystals can soften hard water and eliminate scum when added to the bath. However, they can irritate the skin and eyes, so it's recommended to use a small amount and rinse thoroughly after bathing.

That's a great tip!

Great idea!

Yes, rinse the areas where you applied soda crystals with clear water to remove any remaining residue. Then, allow the carpet and headboard to dry fully before using them again.

Great idea! I'll have to give this a try.

I would recommend using baking soda instead. Soda crystals are a more potent cleaning agent than baking soda and are generally used for heavy-duty cleaning tasks. They can be used on carpets, but caution should be taken as they can be harsh on some carpet fibres. For example, using soda crystals on wool or silk carpets is not recommended. If you decide to use soda crystals on your carpets, it's best to mix them with water first to make a solution rather than apply them dry. Mix around 1 cup of soda crystals with 1 gallon of warm water to make the solution. Apply the solution to the carpet with a clean cloth or spray bottle, then let it sit for a few minutes before blotting it up with a clean, dry cloth.

That's great to hear!

That's amazing!

Yes, you can use soda crystals to clean vinyl floor tiles. But be sure to test a small area first to ensure that it doesn't cause any damage, and rinse the tiles thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residue.

While your vet may have recommended it in the past, more effective and safe methods are available for inducing vomiting in dogs. In addition, inducing vomiting may not always be the appropriate course of action, depending on what the dog has ingested, as it can sometimes cause further harm or complications. Therefore, it's always best to consult your veterinarian or a pet poison control centre before attempting to induce vomiting. They can advise you on the best action and recommend appropriate treatment options for your dog's specific situation.

Sounds great!

A homemade dishwasher powder containing soda crystals, citric acid, and salt is generally safe for a dishwasher. Still, it may not be as effective as commercial dishwasher detergents, and it's important to check your dishwasher's user manual before using any homemade detergent.

It is not recommended to store this solution in a trigger spray bottle for a prolonged period. Over time, the solution's effectiveness may diminish as the sodium carbonate can react with carbon dioxide in the air to form sodium bicarbonate, which is less effective as a cleaning agent. Additionally, the solution may become contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms, which can also decrease the effectiveness and potentially create a health hazard. If you need to use a soda crystal solution for cleaning, it is best to mix up only as much as you need for immediate use and dispose of any remaining solution after use.

Thanks for sharing!

Check the care label on your sofa to ensure it can be safely cleaned with soda crystals. If it's safe to clean, mix soda crystals with warm water to form a paste and apply it to the grubby areas before rinsing thoroughly with water.

Soda crystals can be used to clean pots and pans with non-stick coatings, but it's essential to use them with caution and not to use them excessively or leave them for too long. Instead, use a small amount of soda crystals; scrub gently, then rinse thoroughly with water.

Soda crystals can be used in the washing machine to keep whites white. For a 4.5 kg load, add 1 cup (250 ml) of soda crystals to your wash.

Aluminium foil is more reactive than silver and creates an electrochemical process.

You certainly can!

Hi Lynds! Yes, we would suggest wearing rubber gloves.

It might work, though it's probably not the best substitute.

Interesting idea!

Lovely idea!

Thanks for sharing! That's true. It's essential to rinse the chain thoroughly after soaking to remove any residue and to avoid any potential damage to the chain or the saw. It's always a good idea to check the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning the chain, as using specific cleaning agents could void the warranty.

While soda crystals can help soften hard water, it's important to note that they are alkaline. Using soda crystals to soften water for washing cars may have some cleaning benefits, but prolonged or concentrated exposure to alkaline substances can potentially affect the paintwork or finish of the vehicle. It's generally recommended to use dedicated car wash products or consult with automotive experts to ensure the safety and preservation of the paintwork.

A teaspoon of soda crystals and regular washing-up liquid can improve lathering and grease removal, particularly in hard water areas. However, it's important to rinse your dishes thoroughly with plain water afterwards to prevent any potential residue or taste issues.

Thanks for sharing! We would suggest baking soda for this rather than soda crystals. The effectiveness of this method can vary from person to person. Always consult a healthcare professional if you experience severe or allergic reactions or have open sores or sensitive skin.