5 Great Washing Soda Alternatives

Washing soda has long been a go-to cleaner for many households, but what if you can't find it or want to try something different? 

Don't worry - there are plenty of effective alternatives that can take care of your toughest cleaning jobs just as well. Plus, you might already have some of these in your home already!

In this guide, I’ll show you five awesome washing soda alternatives.

#1 Borax 

Borax is probably the best washing soda alternative. 

This stuff's been around for over a hundred years, and for good reason. It's a natural mineral that's really similar to washing soda in a lot of ways. 

It's fantastic at getting out tough stains, killing odors, and making your regular detergent work even better. It's especially good at dealing with stains from things like blood, sweat, and food.

Also Read: Borax alternatives 

To use it, just add half a cup to your laundry along with your usual detergent. 

Oh, and here's a cool thing – borax helps keep the pH of your wash water just right, which can make your whole wash come out cleaner.

Another great use for borax is in homemade cleaning solutions. Mix it with some vinegar and hot water, and you've got a powerful all-purpose cleaner that's great for bathrooms and kitchens. 

Just remember, while borax is natural, it's still a chemical, so always handle it carefully and keep it away from kids and pets.

#2 Baking Soda 

The next alternative to washing soda on our list is baking soda. 

You probably already have this in your kitchen, right? It's super versatile. While it's not quite as strong as washing soda, it still does an awesome job cleaning. 

You can use it for baking, deodorizing your fridge, and even brushing your teeth! 

When it comes to laundry, baking soda is a real powerhouse. It helps balance the pH of your wash water, which means it can make your detergent work better. It can also make your clothes brighter, and even soften the water.

Try using about half a cup per load of laundry. Just add it in with your regular detergent when you're washing, and you're good to go!

Apart from all that, baking soda is great at absorbing odors too!

Also Read: Maple Syrup Smell In House

#3 DIY Washing Soda 

Did you know you can make your own washing soda? 

Yep, and it's pretty easy too. All you need is baking soda. 

Just spread it out on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven at 400°F (that's about 200°C) for about an hour. Stir it around a bit while it's in there. 

When you heat baking soda in the oven, you're actually changing its chemical structure. You're turning sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate, which is washing soda.

You'll know it's done when it looks grainier and loses its shine. 

This homemade version works just like the store-bought stuff. 

One of the benefits of making your own washing soda is that you can make small batches as you need it. Store-bought washing soda can sometimes clump up if it's stored for a long time, especially in humid environments.

#4 Lye

The next washing soda substitute on our list is lye. 

This stuff is pretty powerful, so you've got to be careful with it. It's super alkaline and really good at breaking down grease and oil stains. 

If you've got some really dirty clothes or sheets, this could be your go-to. 

But remember, it's strong stuff. It can actually break down fibers if used in too high a concentration, so you need to be careful with it.

So always dilute it properly and use it carefully. 

Start small – maybe about a quarter cup per load. And always wear gloves and protect your eyes when you're handling it. Keep it away from kids and pets, too.

Also Read: OxiClean or Washing soda?

#5 Lemon Juice Or Vinegar (For Cleaning)

Last but not least, we've got lemon juice and vinegar. 

Now, these might seem like odd alternatives to washing soda, since they're acidic rather than alkaline, but they're still great for cleaning. 

Vinegar, for example, is fantastic at cutting through soap scum and hard water deposits. If you've got towels that feel a bit stiff or clothes that look a little dull, a vinegar rinse can help. 

Don't worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar - the smell disappears as your laundry dries.

Lemon juice is nature's bleach. It's great at brightening whites and getting rid of stains, especially rust stains. Plus, it leaves your laundry smelling fresh and clean. 

You can even use lemon juice to get rid of underarm stains on white shirts!

Both vinegar and lemon juice are also great for cleaning around the house. They can clean windows, remove soap scum from showers, and even descale your kettle. 

And the best part? They're natural, non-toxic, and safe to use around kids and pets.

Bottom Line

Washing soda is still a great cleaning product, but these washing soda alternatives can do a pretty awesome job too.

They might even have some extra benefits depending on what you're cleaning. Each one has its own special qualities, so you can pick whichever works best for what you need. 

Give them a try and see how they work for you!