Washing Soda: All-Purpose Cleaner

A chemical neighbor of baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more strongly alkaline, with a pH around 11. It releases no harmful fumes and is a far safer heavy duty cleanser than a commercial solvent formula. Because I am chemically sensitive, there were so many things I just couldn’t clean until I discovered washing soda. It cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax or lipstick, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does.

This terrific all-purpose cleaner formula is one you will stick with for a lifetime.

All-Purpose Cleaner (Fantastic Cleaner)

1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water

Combine the washing soda, borax, and soap in a spray bottle. Pour in the hot water (it will dissolve the minerals), screw on the lid, and shake to completely blend and dissolve. Spritz every 6 inches or so of surface once or twice, wiping off the cleanser with a rag as you go. For tough dirt, leave the cleanser on for a few minutes before wiping it off. Shake the bottle each time before using.

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Storage: Leave in a labeled spray bottle.

Read more: Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Adapted from Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999). Copyright (c) 1999 by Annie Berthold-Bond. Reprinted by permission of the author.
Adapted from Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Marcia M.

3:28AM PDT on Jun 9, 2011

Thanks

send a green star

John S.

10:59AM PDT on May 13, 2011

I thought Borox was a cleaner in and of itself.

Mari '.

4:31AM PDT on Oct 16, 2010

What about freshly squeezed lemons? I love the smell of lemons! Add some lemon, lime or even orange into the water?

Bente S.

9:14AM PDT on Jul 16, 2010

Will check this out!

Peter B.

2:11PM PDT on May 1, 2010

i believe in washing soda to great stuff with many uses like vinger has.

Jann L.

9:44AM PDT on Nov 2, 2007

This looks to be a super recipe and I too am chemically sensitive ( to the extent that it is quite uncomfortable to walk down the detergent aisle at the store.) The problem is actually getting hold of the washing soda. I have been looking for several weeks now and can't find a grocer or hardware which still stocks it.

I am going to get in touch with the Arm & Hammer distributors to see if they can let me know where to find it.