3 clever ways to clean with soda crystals – from tackling burnt pans to removing stubborn stains on laundry

If there's one thing we love here at Homes & Gardens, it's a multi-purpose, non-toxic cleaning product.

Cheap, versatile, and oh-so-effective, soda crystals – not to be confused with baking soda – are an eco-friendly cleaning agent that can be used all around the house.

Here, cleaning experts share their cleaning tips for harnessing this sustainable alternative to commercial products, to power through grease and grime, and lift laundry stains.

3 useful ways to clean with soda crystals at home

1. To clean your washing machine

Have you ever tried cleaning a washing machine with soda crystals? It's one of the most popular uses for this relatively unsung hero, and experts say it works even better than cleaning with baking soda.

Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, explains, 'Soda crystals effectively break down detergent buildup, limescale, and mold from the rubber seal on a washing machine, preventing odors and maintaining performance.' For this reason, they're also great to clean a washing machine that smells.

To use, Joseph Passalacqua, owner & CEO at Maid Sailors, advises, 'Just put one cup of soda crystals and run the empty washer on a hot cycle (140°F/ 60°C or higher) to clean the internal corners and freshen up the unit.'

2. To remove burnt-on residue from pans

If you've ever found yourself overcooking your lunch or dinner, you'll know how difficult it is to clean a burnt pan or clean a burnt pot. Enter: soda crystals, says cleaning expert, Joseph.

'Grease and burnt-on food in pans may be tackled with just a couple of tablespoons of soda crystals' he says. 'Soak them in hot water for an hour, before scrubbing (with a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching, such as the OXO Good Grips Dish Brush available at Amazon) and the residue should be able to lift off stains.'

As Karina explains, this works effectively as the alkaline nature of the soda crystals helps to dissolve stubborn grease and burnt food, making the usually laborious scrubbing process much easier.

3. To lift laundry stains

Knowing how to do laundry, and do it well, can often feel like a rather impossible feat, particularly when contending with stubborn stains that just won't budge, no matter what methods you try.

Luckily, Joseph says, 'Soda crystals are a powerful stain remover, and, therefore, a good laundry aid.'

To use, instructs Joseph, simply mix in half a cup of soda crystals with your detergent, for a regular load, to enhance the power of the detergent in effectively loosening stubborn stains, such as to remove red wine stains and get oil stains out of clothes.

FAQs

Can soda crystals clean mold?

If you need to get rid of mold, such as when cleaning mold in the shower, for example, soda crystals can be used to remove mold from a number of surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens. Simply dissolve a generous amount in warm water to create a cleaning solution, and use a spray bottle, such as the Plastic Spray Bottles available at Amazon, to apply. Then, using a sponge or cloth, simply scrub gently to lift off the mold.

Do soda crystals bleach clothes?

While soda crystals are a powerful cleaning agent, they won't bleach and damage clothes, and are therefore often used as a natural alternative to harsher chemicals when getting dingy whites white again. They're also safe for most fabrics.

Much like soda crystals, using baking soda in laundry is a great way to remove stains and lift odors, whilst the powdery texture means it makes an effective natural abrasive, too.