Is OxiClean just washing soda?

Author: Dario Kshlerin  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Is OxiClean the same as washing soda? No, OxiClean is a brand name for a range of cleaning products that contain various ingredients, including sodium carbonate. Washing soda itself is pure sodium carbonate and does not contain any additional additives.

Is OxiClean basically baking soda?

No, it's not, but I'm glad it worked for you. OxyClean contains hydrogen peroxide, an active cleaner/whitener/ disinfectant. Baking soda does none of these things.

What is washing soda called in the US?

Sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda, soda ash and soda crystals) is the inorganic compound with the formula Na 2CO 3 and its various hydrates.

What is the main ingredient in OxiClean?

Sodium Percarbonate and Sodium Carbonate

OxiClean's most important active ingredient is sodium percarbonate: Which is basically dry/powdered hydrogen peroxide plus washing soda.

What is a substitute for OxiClean?

Hydrogen Peroxide and Washing Soda

Sodium percarbonate includes a hydrogen peroxide component, but that's not all it is. If you want to be precise and make something the most chemically similar to OxiClean, you would mix hydrogen peroxide with washing soda.

Why I Don't make Homemade Laundry Soap Anymore

Is washing soda and OxiClean the same thing?

However, they should not be used interchangeably because they are not the same. OxiClean is a brand of cleaning products that often contain sodium carbonate, including washing soda. Unlike OxiClean, washing soda is entirely pure sodium carbonate and does not come with any additional additives.

How to make your own OxiClean?

The active ingredient in OxyClean is Sodium Percarbonate. You can easily make your own by add equal part 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and Washing soda to your washing machine. I have a front loading machine so I add the powdered washing soda to the drum and the Peroxide to the liquid detergent dispenser.

Why not to use OxiClean?

OxiClean cannot be used on wool, silk, leather or anything else that cannot be washed with water. It also is not recommended on rust and other metallic stains because of the oxidation process. I had persistent carpet stains on my staircase.

What are the ingredients in washing soda?

Washing soda is a chemical compound with the formula Na₂CO₃, also known as sodium carbonate, and it's a salt of carbonic acid. Some use washing soda to make homemade laundry detergent, to clean especially in hard water, and some even use it as a laundry additive to soften water.

What is the generic version of OxiClean?

Sodium percarbonate is highly concentrated, so where you would use 1/2 cup of OxiClean in your laundry, you would substitute with only 2 tablespoons of its generic, sodium percarbonate. Sodium percarbonate is really cool stuff. It is a highly concentrated powder that releases hydrogen peroxide.

Why is washing soda rarely used?

Because washing soda is more caustic than baking soda due to its high pH, it's mostly used in laundry to remove stains, soften water, and boost detergent efficacy. It's not used as liberally as baking soda because it's harsher.

Is borax the same as washing soda?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral typically used for brightening and whitening laundry. "Though both are widely used in cleaning or laundry, washing soda is more of a heavy-duty cleaner and laundry savior while borax is more multi-purpose," says Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations of Two Maids.

What happened to washing soda?

The crystals of washing soda undergo efflorescence because it is hydrated salt containing 10 molecules of water of crystallization. When the crystals of washing soda exposed to air loose water of crystallization and form white powder of sodium carbonate monohydrates.Na 2CO3 .

Why does OxiClean work so well?

The OxiClean™ formulation is a combination of ingredients, the key ingredient being sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate, surfactants and polymer. Combined, these ingredients work together to remove the toughest stains. OxiClean™ does this by: Breaking down stains.

What is the most natural laundry detergent?

The best non-toxic laundry detergent is one that delivers cleanliness to your clothes while ensuring safety and sustainability.
  • NaturOli* (Our Top Pick)
  • Truly Free*
  • Ecos Free & Clear*
  • Meliora Unscented Powder Detergent*
  • Molly's Suds*
  • Aspen*
  • ATTITUDE*
  • Clean Cult*

Can you mix vinegar and OxiClean?

6. Don't mix OxiClean with vinegar. Mixing OxiClean and vinegar is not safe. OxiClean breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, which forms peracetic acid when combined with vinegar.

Is washing soda the same as OxiClean?

Washing soda, or sodium carbonate, naturally softens water and boosts detergent effectiveness, making it ideal for stubborn stains and odors. Conversely, OxiClean, an oxygen-based, color-safe bleach, excels at removing organic stains such as food, blood, and grass, without chlorine.

What is a substitute for washing soda?

Borax is probably the best washing soda alternative. This stuff's been around for over a hundred years, and for good reason. It's a natural mineral that's really similar to washing soda in a lot of ways. It's fantastic at getting out tough stains, killing odors, and making your regular detergent work even better.

Is arm and hammer Super Washing Soda the same as borax?

Though borax and washing soda are chemically quite similar, they each have their own specialties. Because of the shape of their molecules, they have slightly different properties that make them useful in a number of different ways.

What does borax do for laundry?

Borax is often confused with other cleaning agents, but it stands out due to its ability to soften water, neutralize odors, and enhance the cleaning power of regular laundry detergents. The combination of these properties makes borax a go-to solution for many households looking to elevate their laundry game.

Can you mix Dawn and OxiClean?

Yes, you can add detergent to the load as well as oxyclean and it will boost the performance of your favorite kind.

Why is OxiClean so expensive?

Church & Dwight Co., the parent company of Arm & Hammer and OxiClean, is raising prices to offset higher input and transportation costs. The Ewing, New Jersey-based household products company will soon announce price hikes for 30% of its portfolio that will go into effect in the first quarter of next year.

What not to do with OxiClean?

Here are some things we shouldn't do with our beloved oxygen stain-buster.
  1. Don't store OxiClean in a humid environment.
  2. Don't use it without spot testing first.
  3. Don't store it in a spray bottle.
  4. 4.Do not mix OxiClean with other chemicals.
  5. Don't give up if your first soak in OxiClean isn't completely successful.

What is the key ingredient in OxiClean?

Description. One of the active ingredients in OxiClean is sodium percarbonate (Na2CO3•H2O2), an adduct of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water. These ingredients break down safely in the environment and leave no toxic byproducts.

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