All the Ways You Can Use ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda to Clean Laundry & More
Washing your clothes regularly is an important part of laundry maintenance. But your laundry detergent alone cannot always remove stingy stains. Even the most vigilant laundry-doers need the occasional boost to help remove stains on clothes and around the home. That’s where laundry boosters like washing soda can come in handy.
Many washing sodas act as laundry boosters that can help supplement your laundry detergent’s stain fighting power for a more thorough wash. Additionally, some washing soda formulas can often be used to help address other stains on bathroom surfaces, water-washable upholstery, and kitchen appliances!
We are going to give you the scoop on washing soda and why ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda is the laundry room essential you need in your home.
What is Washing Soda?
Washing soda is an inorganic chemical compound that contains sodium carbonate and water. The ingredients combine to make a grainy white powder that can be dissolved or made into a paste as a laundry or household cleaner.
We should note that washing soda should not be confused with sodium bicarbonate, the chemical name for baking soda. Washing soda does not contain baking soda. However, you can use baking soda to help make a DIY washing soda.
Washing Soda vs. Soda Ash
Essentially, washing soda and soda ash are the same thing. However, “washing soda” is generally the term used when sodium carbonate and water are combined – whereas “soda ash” refers to sodium carbonate in its anhydrous form. Thus, soda ash is like a more concentrated washing soda.
How Does Washing Soda Work?
The sodium carbonate in washing soda binds to the minerals that harden water, helping to soften the water. In laundry terms, this allows your laundry detergent to more effectively bind to the fibers in different fabrics to help lift dirt and stains from those fabrics.
As an alkaline compound, sodium carbonate also has a higher pH than water and, in turn, raises the pH of water when the two are combined. This provides a non-abrasive cleaner that has more effectiveness in breaking down dirt and grime on several different household surfaces.
Using Washing Soda Around the Home
ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda is a true household multitasker. Beyond boosting your laundry detergent, it can help tackle a variety of cleaning jobs, from brightening bathroom fixtures to cutting through tough kitchen grime. Use it to clean water-washable surfaces and even metal pots and pans for a sparkling finish.
Before you get started: As with any cleaning product, a little care goes a long way. Avoid contact with eyes and limit prolonged skin contact—wearing gloves is always a good idea. If the powder or solution gets on your skin, simply rinse well with water. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with water. If accidentally swallowed, rinse your mouth, drink a full glass of water, and contact a physician. Do not induce vomiting.
Pro tip: Washing soda is powerful—so skip using it on aluminum pots and pans to keep their finish looking great.
1. How to Use Washing Soda to Help Remove Set-in Stains
Even some of the most common stains can prove difficult to remove the first time around when they have already set into your clothes. ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda makes that process a little easier. You can use ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda to pre-treat fabrics or in a soak to help remove set-in stains.
To pre-treat with ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda:
- Make a paste of 4 tablespoons ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda and ¼ cup warm water. Using rubber gloves, gently rub the paste into the dampened stain and wash items following the instructions on the fabric care label.
- When laundering, add ½ cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda to your usual laundry detergent. Always test a small, hidden area of fabric to determine colorfastness before pre-treating.
To pre-soak with ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda:
- Use 2 tablespoons of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda per gallon of warm water if pre-soaking in a small tub or bucket, or use ½ cup if pre-soaking in a filled washing machine.
- Pre-soak for at least 30 minutes before washing.
- Wash with ½ cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda in the wash cycle, in addition to your usual laundry detergent.
For maximum stain removal, treat all stains promptly. If using the pre-soaking method, use cool water for colorfast laundry items.
2. How to Use ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda as an In-Wash Laundry Booster
Even if you don’t have especially tough stains, you can still add ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda to your washing routine to help boost the stain- or odor-removing power of your laundry detergent.
For regular washes:
- For regular wash, add ½ cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda along with the usual amount of either liquid or powder laundry detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle. Always follow machine instructions when adding laundry products.
- Add clothes and let the washer fill completely.
- For HE washers, add ½ cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda along with the usual amount of either liquid or powder laundry detergent to the HE dispenser. Follow the machine when washing.
For large, heavily soiled washes:
- For large, heavily soiled wash loads use 1 full cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda and the usual amount of either liquid or powder detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle – making sure to follow machine instructions.
- Add clothes and let the washer fill completely.
If you’re washing in hard water, treat it like you are washing large, heavily soiled loads. Add 1 cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda and the usual amount of either liquid or powder laundry detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle.
3. How to Use Washing Soda to Clean the Bathroom
Remember how we discussed washing soda acting as a water softener? That makes it a useful tool against hard water stains in the bathroom, helping to break down limescale and dissolve soap scum on various surfaces while also leaving your bathroom smelling fresher.
Before getting started, put on rubber gloves to help protect your hands. Use ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda as a large area bathroom cleaner by dissolving ½ cup of the powder in a gallon of warm water. Then, thoroughly scrub toilet bowls, tubs, sinks, bathroom tile, plastic shower curtains, and more – rinse all items after they’ve been scrubbed. Do not use it on fiberglass bathroom utilities.
4. How to Use Washing Soda to Clean Kitchen Appliances
You may have heard baking soda can help clean your oven by cutting through grease on oven grates. Well, ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda can also help you achieve this goal!
To clean ovens, range tops, and broiler pans:
- Make a solution of ½ cup ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda dissolved in a gallon of warm water.
- For stubborn, crusted soils, sprinkle ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda dry on a damp sponge to scour.
- Remove burners and soak in solution for at least 30 minutes to banish greasy build-up. Rinse well and dry.
Additionally, you can copy that same ratio and use the ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda solution to wipe down non-aluminum toasters, electric mixers, and food processors.
You can also make ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda your go-to DIY solution for scrubbing pots and pans. Be sure to wear gloves when cleaning. To tackle tough stains, make a paste with 2 parts ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda and 1 part water. Apply the paste to stained areas and let stand for 30 minutes. Then scrub, rinse thoroughly with water, and wash as usual for a bright, clean finish.
NOTE: DO NOT USE ARM & HAMMER™ SUPER WASHING SODA ON ALUMINUM COOKWARE.
5. How to Use Washing Soda to Clean Water-Washable Upholstery
Are you in need of a spot cleaner to help address pesky stains on water-washable fabric couches or patio furniture? ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda is up to the task!
- Mix ½ cup ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda per 16 oz. of water. Remove excess stains before treating.
- Do not apply the solution directly to the stain. Instead, apply it to a clean white towel and use the towel to blot out the stain. Repeat until the stain is no longer visible.
- Dampen a new, clean white towel with water and blot area to rinse.
If you’re missing a laundry stain spray or ideal spot cleaner, ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda can still help remove those stains from water-washable upholstery.
6. How to Use Washing Soda Outdoors
Just as it can help clean ovens, ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda can also help clean grills and grill grates after a festive family barbecue. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when using it to protect your hands. Two methods work here:
- Scrub with ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda sprinkled on a moist, stiff-bristled brush.
- Alternatively, soak items in a solution of ½ cup ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda dissolved in a gallon of warm water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. DO NOT USE IT ON ALUMINUM SURFACES.
And, once you’ve cleaned the grill, you can look to clean any grease or oil spills on concrete surfaces in the driveway, garage, and more!
Pour ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda generously on spills and sprinkle lightly with water until a paste forms. Let the paste stand overnight. The following day, scrub with a damp brush, hose down, and wipe the surface clean. Voila!
7. How to Use Washing Soda to Make DIY Laundry Soap
That’s right, washing soda can help you make a DIY laundry soap that works like detergent to help clean clothes.
You’ll want to start by shredding a laundry soap bar into a small container. Next, add in 2 cups of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda and ½ cup ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda. Mix the ingredients well and store in an airtight container overnight. Just like that, you’ve got your own DIY laundry solution that acts like laundry detergent!
Note that you should start with ¼ cup of this DIY laundry soap per load. For larger loads, use more.
The Laundry Booster Superhero You Need
Now you understand the seemingly boundless uses for ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda. Plus, it’s made from all-natural ingredients – the simplicity of just sodium carbonate and water. That means it does not contain any fragrances or parabens.
From its role as a laundry booster, to a vast portfolio of home cleaning uses, to its ability to effectively neutralize odors -- ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda is up to most jobs!
