Does anyone know this?

[xerxes]

I have a 2 1/2 month dd and I am trying to get rid of all the cleaning chemicals in my house and using things like white vinegar, baking soda, and lime juice. I was told to use something called washing soda. Does anyone know what this is? Can I find it in a grocery store?

If anyone has any other ideas on how to replace all of the commerical cleaners and use other things to clean I would really appreciate it. When I was baby proofing our house, I could not believe how many commerical cleaners I had!

[amnesiac]

Washing soda is sodium carbonate as opposed to baking soda which is sodium bicarbonate. It has a higher pH. Personally, I just use baking soda but I have seen washing soda in grocery stores around here before-- on the detergent isle next to the borax. In addition to soda & vinegar, I use oil soap & grapefruit seed extract. And sometimes peroxide.
http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/...op10_Cat_ID=16

[xerxes]

Thanks amnesiac! I printed the link you gave me and I am going to post it on the fridge!

[compleatmomof4]

In my local grocery stores

it's on the detergent aisle on the top shelf next to the fabric softeners!

[VikingKvinna]

You can't use this interchangeably with baking soda. For example, I make my own laundry soap with it, and baking soda doesn't work.

Also, you wouldn't want to put washing soda in your cookies.

IMO, it's sometimes hard to find washing soda. Some groceries/discount stores carry it, others don't. Just keep looking, and if all else fails ask the store manager to carry it.

HTH.
~nick

[BowNessMonster]

washing soda is excellent for greasy messes. I love it for the stovetop especially. I removed stains from a white arborite countertop with it too, I just dipped a wet cloth-covered fingertip in the powder and scrubbed the stains. It does however, in my experience, need a lot of rinsing. I used to use it in the diapers but I found that residues reacted with dd's urine to create an awful funk. YUCK!

[xerxes]

Thanks for the info everyone!