Where do I find "washing soda"?

[AmyMCGS]

I'm ready to try making some homemade cleaners, and several of the recipes (including Carolyn's)  call for washing soda.  I've never heard of that until I started reading up on homemade cleaners.  Where do I look for it?  Is that something WalMart might have, or is it a health food store thing? hardware store?

TIA! 

[captclearance]

I found it at Meijer and Super Wal*Mart here........
You might want to ask them at Walmart if they will oder it for you ...... Good luck !

[Darlene]

Found this online~
Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate. Baking soda on the other hand is Sodium Bicarbonate. The two are not interchangeable in any way. If you cannot find it at your grocery store in the detergent isle, try asking for a special order. According to the good folks at Arm & Hammer, the upc code for the 55 ounce box is 33200-03020.

[slowtypinwoman]

Is washing soda and 20 mule team borax the same thing? The recipe I have says you can use either.

[Missy]

I found it at Super Walmart in the laundry asile beside the Borax and such. Hope this helps.

[Guest1]

Marcia - borax & washing soda are not the same things - I actually use both in my mix...

I've had much luck finding washing soda at CostCo....
I've also found it at Super Wal*Mart & Big K....

[Guest1]

GMTA Mom!

[PrairieRose]

I bought a huge box of baking soda at Sam's. It is a 10 pound box. On the side it does say sodium bicarbonate BUT on the front it has pictures of a sink and pan (stainless steel I think), folded laundry, and cookies on a plate. The caption reads "For Baking, Cleaning and Deodorizing". On the back it says add 1/2 C. with liquid laundry detergent for cleaner, fresher laundry. So I don't know why it wouldn't work for homemade laundry soap......... I use it in my laundry all the time. Haven't had a bit of problems. Maybe it's not as strong as washing soda....?

[AmyMCGS]

I found it! Kroger's had it in the laundry section.

Lisa- I have the huge bag of baking soda from Sam's Club, too, but they look like totally different products. And the cleaning product recipes I have call for one or the other, so I don't think they are interchangable.

Thanks to all who responded-- hopefully tonight or tommorow I'll get some time to make some of these homemade cleaners!

[canadian gardener]

chemically the washing soda is way more "active" meaning stronger than the baking soda. It reacts with grime a lot fiercer (and your skin, etc).

For HM cleaners it's best to use the type of soda asked for.

Usually found here in Canada beside the borax and other water softening products or laundry boosters in the laundry detergent section.

Borax is a mild acid product used to soften water so the laundry works better. Washing soda is an alkaline product that degreases the laundry.

Both boost performance, but cancel each other out chemically so use one or the other, not both in a single wash load.

[shortcake]

Does anyone know where I can buy some? I bought a book on making my own cleaner and they call for washing soda (not baking soda). I have looked in wal-mart and grocery stores and can't find any. Is it possible that this is not sold in Canada? Do any of you make your own cleaners with this product?

[northernmom2boys]

have you tried the bulk store or hardeware store?

[shortcake]

I don't have a bulk store in my area but I will check out the hardware store. Thanks for the info. I am going to the healthfood store later I will also check there, you never know.

[Ceashels]

I have found it in the local Safeway/Krogers grocery store.

[brainyblonde]

The brand sold in the US is Arm & Hammer manufactured by the Church & Dwight company. Do you have this brand in Canada?
http://www.thelaundrybasket.com/Our_...shing_sod.html