Which is better, OxiClean or washing soda?

Author: Buck Kunze PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Choosing between OxiClean vs Washing Soda really depends on what you need to clean. If you're mainly looking for something to make your laundry better and soften hard water, Washing Soda might be the way to go. It's also a good choice if you want something more natural and budget-friendly.

Is OxiClean the same as washing soda?

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.

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 there anything better than OxiClean?

Your best bet, though, is to buy pure sodium percarbonate (which you can easily find on Amazon for less than $20). Not only does sodium percarbonate not contain any unnecessary additives as do some store-bought products, but Richardson says it's also much stronger than true OxiClean (which means you need less of it).

What are the disadvantages of washing soda?

Direct skin or eye contact, or inhalation of powder or crystals can produce irritation, rash and sometimes burns. Household cleaning and laundry solutions contain sodium carbonate at levels of 10% (100,000 ppm) or greater, and are moderately irritating to bare skin after prolonged contact.

Borax vs Oxiclean: What is the difference?

What is the best clean 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*

How do the Amish make laundry soap?

Amish Laundry Soap Recipe
  1. ½ cup washing soda (Arm and Hammer works)
  2. 1 ½ cup of Borax.
  3. 1 Bar of Fels Naptha Soap.
  4. 5-Gallon bucket completely cleaned out.
  5. Stove pot.
  6. Medium bowl.

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 is the best stain remover for old stains?

OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray is another laundry stain remover you need to help get rid of old stains. It can surround and loosen some of the toughest set-in stains. Still seeing a little bit of dried blood on your shorts after scraping your knee during a hiking trip?

Can you mix OxiClean and washing soda?

For most laundry stripping in standard size tubs, follow this recipe: ¼ cup ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda. ¼ cup Borax. ½ cup ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Powder Laundry Detergent.

Is borax better than washing soda?

In the battle of borax vs. washing soda, the winner depends on your specific needs. Borax is an excellent all-around laundry booster with odor control and whitening properties, while washing soda is the go-to choice for tackling tough stains and grease.

Is Nellie's laundry soda detergent?

A: It is a detergent. Just some added thoughts if you don't mind. I tried it originally because I always found an unpleasing odor to the completed wash from the liquid detergent. There is nothing but a refreshing smell when I remove the wash using Nellies.

Should I use washing soda in laundry?

Washing soda is also alkaline, meaning it will raise the pH of the water. Higher pH water is more effective at cleaning. So, just as described on the commercially available boxes, it really is a 'laundry booster' in that it helps both the water and the soap do a better job of cleaning.

Can I use washing soda to clean my shower?

Super Washing Soda is the complete bathroom cleaner that leaves surfaces clean and fresh smelling. As a natural water softener, Super Washing Soda helps to dissolve hard water soap scum where you need it. To clean large areas, dissolve ½ cup Super Washing Soda in a gallon of warm water.

Does OxiClean need to be rinsed?

It is always best to thoroughly rinse areas with clean water where OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover came in contact with plants, to wash away any residual product.

Can I mix OxiClean with baking soda and vinegar?

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.

How do you remove years of stains?

Create a solution by combining equal parts white vinegar and lemon juice. Soak the stained area in the solution for 15-30 minutes, allowing the acids to break down the stain. Rinse the garment thoroughly to remove any residue. Follow up with a standard wash.

How do you get rid of 30 year old stains?

Techniques To Get Old Stains Out Of Clothes
  1. Apply white vinegar directly to the stain.
  2. Let it soak for 5 minutes.
  3. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
  4. For stubborn stains, mix vinegar with coarse salt.
  5. Place in direct sunlight to dry.
  6. Wash normally after treatment.

What is the best stain remover for old blood stains?

Are Dried-in-Blood Stains Harder to Remove? Yes, unfortunately they are, and this task often needs something stronger than soap and water. The most effective method is to use hydrogen peroxide, an oxidizing agent that removes old blood stains via a chemical reaction, breaking it down.

Is OxiClean just hydrogen peroxide?

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

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.

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.

What does the Amish use for toilet paper?

While mainstream society quickly embraced toilet paper's convenience and hygiene benefits, many Amish communities continued using traditional materials like leaves, rags, or corn cobs for personal sanitation.

What did pioneers use for laundry soap?

The soap was handmade using tallow, lye, and water. Lye is made from wood ashes usually gathered from the fireplace and put in a wooden hopper. They typically needed about one wooden barrel of ashes to make the lye. The pioneers poured about 4 liters of water over the ashes to soak them.

Do the Amish use showers?

The Amish can still take a hot shower, they simply hook up their hot water tank to a gas or propane fueled energy source. While some use those energy sources to power washing machines, laundry day can become an all-day event for other families who use traditional washboards.

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