Washing Soda - Uses?

Washing soda is also known as soda ash or calcium carbonate (Na2CO3).

My experience with washing soda has been a relatively positive one. Washing soda is a good addition to the laundry process as it both softens water and enhances detergents ability to clean. Washing soda is effective in my experience on grease so I utilize a solution of it to pretreat stains to good effect. Washing soda can also be utilized in cleaning around the house such as cutting through soap scum in a bathroom or removing coffee ring stains from coffee pots.



How do you use washing soda?

All of the above . . . mixed with sodium bicarbonate (4 parts) to washing soda (1 part) - excellent for degreasing grill pans and stove tops.   Also neat 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon detergent for scouring cotton - amazing the difference it makes to the colour and softness.   Also used sparingly to alter the pH of a natural dyebath using leaves etc to alter the colour - doesn't always work, but sometimes makes a dramatic change.    Permanence of colour can also be a problem - e.g Oxalis cornuta (soursob) makes a neon yellow that changes to a neon orange - think safety vests - but neither is lightfast - great pity!
Edit:- to add - keep it away from wool in large concentrations