Top tips for using soda crystals
Environmentally friendly and biodegradable soda crystals (not to be confused with baking soda or washing soda) are best known for softening water but they have a surprising multitude of uses in and around the home.
Here are just some of our favourites:
Help with your laundry wash
You can use soda crystals to soften your water and to help clean your clothes. Simply add approximately 50g either to your detergent drawer or directly into the drum then run your normal cycle.
If your detergent normally goes in the drum then put your soda crystals in the drawer and vica versa but whichever way you add it try not to mix soda crystals with your washing powder as the two products will clump together.
Stain removal from clothes
Make up a strong solution, approximately one pint of water to one cup of soda crystals, in a bowl and place the garment into the solution until it is completely submerged. Soak the garment for one hour before popping it in your washing machine and washing it in the usual way.
Soften towels
If your towels are feeling a bit crunchy, it may be that they’re suffering from lime scale and detergent build-up. Try soaking them in a medium-strength mixture of soda crystals and warm water.
Rinse well, then wash them as normal, with half a cup of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer.
Clean your washing machine
Soda crystals can help to remove lime scale and detergent build-up and will deodorise your machine too.
Every month just add approximately 50g of soda crystals to your washing machine drum and run a hot cycle with an empty machine. If this is the first time cleaning your machine then you may need to run the cycle twice.
Prevent blocked drains
Pour a cupful of crystals down your sink each week, with hot water, to help break up any blockages. And yes, soda crystals are fine to use with septic tanks.
Remove burnt food from pots and pans
If you find you have burnt food on your favourite pan then save yourself endless scrubbing by using soda crystals. Simply sprinkle over a layer and add a small amount of boiling water (not too much or it will weaken the solution). Leave the pan to sit for an hour or two and then rinse and clean as normal and your pan should look as good as new!
Clean your dishwasher
Simply add soda crystals to the detergent dispenser on your dishwasher, then run your dishwasher on the hottest wash your dishwasher will allow.
Clean paths and patios
Soda crystals can kill moss and algae. Just sprinkle them on the affected areas then moisten with water using a watering can. Leave the solution for 24 hours or more until the moss goes brown. Brush off and rinse with plenty of water.
Remember to keep soda crystals away from ponds and plants.
Melina - Assistant Editor
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