Washing Soda

[TKLaundry]

My wife just pointed out an article in The Journal about stain removal and it called for Washing Soda. I know what baking soda is but what is Washing Soda and where do I get some?
Dave

[Howard]

You get it in the detergent isle of your local supermarket. You might also try 20 MuleTeam Borax, same basic stuff. It raises the pH and makes the detergent work better. It is also a very cheap way to maintain the pH in your swimming pool.

[PeterH]

Washing soda itself cannot remove stains. It is a precipitating water softener, binding up the minerals in the water and settling them out if there is no agitation. The drawback is that it can cause a calcium buildup in the machine. The softer water causes detergent to work better.

If you are looking to enhance stain removal, try non-sudsy clear ammonia. It acts as a builder in the wash and has really impressed me much more so that washing soda, borax and even Calgon -- but that could be because we have fairly soft water here in the Atlanta area.

-ph

[Howard]

WARNING WARNING WARNING


Might work well but be VERY careful about using ammonia. If you use chlorine bleach or a detergent with bleach in it you will form highly toxic gas when these two chemicals mix - you could end up dead, or worse. NEVER EVER use ammonia and chlorine together.

[ndennis]

Howard is right. I can speak from inexperience. I inadvertantly mixed ammonia and hypo one day. Well I am still here but only just. It is always better off to use caution and use only one chemical at a time.

If you use to many chemicals together one will sometimes negate the others.