How to Make Washing Soda

Several months ago I was desperately searching for a source of washing soda to attempt a recipe for homemade laundry detergent. To no avail. Grocery stores, craft stores, bulk retailers, none of them had washing soda. Most of the people I talked to didn't even know what I was referring to. (Frankly, I didn't either...) So, in a desperate attempt I went online and did some research. Low and behold, washing soda is incredibly easy to make. 

I found this recipe for making my own. All you need is baking soda and an oven. It's that simple because,

Baked Baking Soda=Washing Soda

The difference, chemically speaking, between baking soda (NaHCO3) and washing soda (Na2CO3) is water and carbon dioxide. When you heat baking soda at a high temperature the water and carbon dioxide evaporate.

How To Make Washing Soda

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on a baking sheet. Place in the oven. Stir occasionally for about an hour (or longer if need be). Remove from the oven and let cool. You can tell it is done based on texture. Baking soda is wet and clumps. Washing soda is dry, grainy and flakes  (In the picture, the baking soda is on the left and the washing soda is on the right). See the difference?

Now, if  you ever come across recipes for  homemade detergent that calls for washing soda, you don't need to drive anywhere to get it!

What do you use it for?

My homemade laundry detergent.