Cheap and effective: features of washing with soda in a washing machine and by hand
Soda is not only an effective household product, but also an absolutely natural component.
Despite the presence of a huge number of modern powders, soda is able to compete with them. The range of its applications is wide, and the cost is several times less than newfangled products.
Is it advisable to use soda when washing - where other methods are powerless, is it possible to add it to the washing machine - this is discussed in the article.
Content
Can I wash with this product?
The product perfectly deodorizes, disinfects and cleanses. This allows it to be used as a detergent.
Washing with soda is safe for health, does not harm the washing machine and improves the final result of the procedure.
The product can be used both in pure concentration and as part of a mixture. Many housewives simply add baking soda to washing powder. At the same time, things become softer, the colors of the fabrics become richer.
In what cases is it permissible to add, and when should it not be done?
The use of baking powder is justified in the following cases:
- elimination of unpleasant odors - for example, cigarette smoke;
- enhancing the whitening effect;
- softening the hardness of water - the more ideal its balance, the better the item is washed;
- disinfection in situations where the use of other agents causes an allergic reaction;
- Instead of conditioner, baking soda will provide excellent softness to your laundry.
You should not use baking powder if:
- the composition of the fabric does not tolerate any aggressive influence - usually this information is indicated on the label of the item;
- the material fades.
Read about how to use washing soda in the washing machine and by hand. Here.
Which one should you choose?
Any type of soda is suitable for cleaning and washing fabrics. Which one to choose depends on the intended purpose, the degree of contamination of the item and the composition of the fabric.
Food grade – works great where radical whitening is not required. This is an ideal solution for colored items that need to soften and eliminate unpleasant odors.
Soda ash is several times more concentrated. It can remove difficult to remove stains - grease, tea, coffee, and also return the fabric to its former whiteness.
Precautions during use
It is important to remember that soda is an aggressive product. When using it when washing, you must consider the following points:
- To prevent the skin of your hands from drying out, you need to use rubber gloves. Sodium carbonate, getting into small wounds and cracks, destroys the upper layers of the epithelium, the lesions increase.
- Do not use baking soda when working with delicate fabrics - silk, wool.
- Do not allow the composition to come into contact with mucous tissues or eyes. If this happens, immediately rinse the affected area with running water.
- Avoid getting moisture into the pack of soda - its contents will form clumps and the effectiveness of the baking powder will decrease.
How to use it correctly?
Sodium carbonate can be used either in the washing machine or soaked, and then washed by hand.
Use it instead of detergent as directed on the package. Otherwise, there is a high risk of getting the opposite result - things will simply creep apart under the influence of the component.
The main rule is to strictly adhere to the dosage. Let’s look at how to use soda correctly depending on its effect on fabrics in more detail.
Calcified
The effectiveness of using soda ash in the process of bleaching and softening fabrics has been officially proven. The result is achieved due to the high content of alkaline components in its composition.
Mitigation
To make fabric (for example, towels or bedding) softer, do this:
- when using a washing machine, add 50 g of soda to the air conditioner compartment. Temperature range – from 40 to 100 degrees. The exception is membrane-coated fabrics. After completing the wash, turn on the extra rinse option. This way things will remain soft until the next wash;
- When rinsing by hand, soak the item in a bowl of baking soda for 15 to 20 minutes. Water temperature - 40 degrees. Concentration: 5 grams per 5 liters of water. component.
Removing stubborn stains
Soda ash is no less effective in removing stubborn old stains. The main thing to remember is that it cannot be used on delicate materials.
Remove fat fragments or blood can be done according to the following scheme:
- Take a bottle with a spray.
- Pour in 250 g of water, 40 g of vinegar and shake well.
- Add 30 g of sodium bicarbonate. Shake the contents.
- The resulting mixture is evenly sprayed onto the fabric until it becomes wet.Leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Rub the stained area with a brush, then wash as usual.
During processing children's things stains are removed in a more gentle way - add a spoonful of soda and the same amount of hydrogen peroxide to 2 liters of water. Soak for 30 minutes, then rinse well, first in warm, then in cold water.
Food
Baking soda is effectively used to remove simple dirt and stains. It copes well with gray and yellow laundry.
Cleaning dirt
Cleaning is carried out in several stages:
- Prepare the composition - you need to mix a tablespoon of the component with the same amount of water so that the mass reaches the consistency of a paste. It should not spread when applied to fabric.
To enhance the effect, experts recommend adding a little white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, while reducing the amount of water.
- Apply the mixture to the stain - rub the mixture in carefully, covering the stain completely. Wait 10 minutes.
- Rinse the fabric in warm running water; for thin material, carefully remove the mixture with a damp cloth.
- If necessary, re-process the clothes. If the stain is old, 3 to 4 cleanings may be required. The exposure time of the paste is increased to 15-20 minutes.
This method is only relevant for removing stains from cotton natural materials, for example - jeans. Delicate structures – linen, silk can be easily damaged - this composition is too aggressive for them; in contact with the fibers, sodium contributes to their destruction.
Dry cleansing
An alternative option is dry cleaning with baking soda. They do this as follows:
- Sprinkle a small layer on the area of contamination and pack the fabric in a bag. The main condition is tightness. To prevent the composition from damaging the item, you can not apply it directly to the stain, but apply a bag containing soda to the stained area. In this case, a thermal package is required.
- Leave the mixture for 8-10 hours. This time is enough for the soda not only to clean the fabric, but also to absorb the unpleasant odor.
- Unwrap the package and carefully shake out the contents. If soda gets on the fabric, use a soft bristle brush. After removing all the fragments, hang the clothes in the sun. Ventilate for 2 – 3 hours.
- When the stain has not completely disappeared, repeat everything from the beginning. If after two procedures the result does not meet expectations, it is advisable to use alternative methods, for example, professional dry cleaning.
Lightening
When the goal is to lighten a thing, you need to prepare a special composition:
- mix 150 grams of baking soda with 5 liters of water, preheating it to 40 degrees;
- grate 50 g of laundry soap on a fine grater;
- dissolve the shavings until smooth, the composition must be warm - if necessary, it must be heated;
- soak the item for several hours;
- then wash in the standard way.
In addition to pure white fabrics, this method will help make natural fabrics 2-3 tones lighter. For example, if you need to lighten a denim item a little.
Eliminating unpleasant odors in an automatic machine
There are several reasons why a washing machine emits bad odors.. The main problem is excessive accumulation of moisture and the formation of mold in places that are difficult to clean. Proper use of soda will allow you to carry out internal disinfection and eliminate odors.
The best results are achieved through regular cleaning. The procedure is repeated once every 2 months. In order to keep the unit clean, experts advise adding a pinch of soda to the detergent every time you wash it. This will make the water softer, and its effect on components and mechanisms less aggressive.
Clean the car like this:
- prepare a mixture of equal parts of water and soda ash;
- the composition is applied to the external parts - the drum, powder compartments, rubber gaskets, cuffs. This is where limescale and mold appear most quickly;
- let stand for half an hour;
- take a soft foam sponge and carefully process the machine parts;
- after external cleaning is completed, turn on the main wash mode at low temperatures. This will finally wash away the soda fragments.
The final stage is cleaning the drain filter. After the end of the washing program, remove the device and treat it with the same soda solution. Then they are washed under the tap and installed in place. Additionally, clean the filter connection area.
The video will show you how to clean a washing machine using soda:
You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.
Conclusion
Summarizing what has been said, we draw a conclusion. It is advisable to use soda both independently and with various additions:
- powder,
- vinegar,
- ammonia,
- vegetable oil.
What mixture to prepare depends on the specific situation. Only fabrics whose composition is completely natural can be treated with soda.
TO synthetics and delicate things should be treated with extreme caution, otherwise the result may be exactly the opposite of what was expected.
It’s better to soak it in a basin, rinse it, and put it in the machine.
I couldn’t find where it says how much soda should be added when washing in an automatic machine?
2-3 spoons will be enough