Difference Between Washing Soda and Baking Soda
In addition to the usual pet videos and pop culture memes, cleaning tips and showcases have become a regular presence on our social media feeds. Dramatic before and after photos of objects, once faded beyond recognition, are now shiny and new thanks to a particular technique or product that the poster swears by.
While looking through these new cleaning methods, many of which have actually been around for a long time, you may have come across someone using washing soda and have a few questions. Well, at least one: what’s the difference between washing soda and baking soda? Get ready because you will soon find out.
What is the difference between washing soda and baking soda?
Before moving on to their differences, here are a few similarities that washing soda and baking soda have :
- Both can be used for cleaning
- Both are affordable and are considered environmentally friendly.
- Both are compounds involving sodium
- Under no circumstances should you inhale
- Both can cause eye irritation
And now the differences between washing and baking soda:
Washing soda
- Chemical name : Sodium carbonate
- Molecular formula : Na 2 CO 3
- Derived from : plant ash (which is why it is sometimes called “soda ash”).
- Highly alkaline (pH value ~ 11)
- Should never be taken orally or used in any kind of cooking
- Highly caustic: gloves must be worn when handling washing soda.
- Powder with larger granules
Baking soda
- Chemical name : sodium bicarbonate.
- Molecular formula : NaHCO 3
- Originates from : Nahcolite (the mineral form of baking soda)
- Slightly alkaline (pH value ~8)
- Often used in baking and other food preparations.
- Safe to work without gloves
- Powder with finer granules
How to make washing soda from baking soda
Washing soda isn’t as widely available in stores as baking soda, and if you live in that situation (and don’t want or can’t buy it online), you can make your own using baking soda. Here’s how:
- Spread a thin layer of baking soda evenly over the baking sheet.
- Place in a 400F oven and bake for about 30 minutes.
- While it’s baking, stir the baking soda from time to time (remembering to spread it again in a thin layer before returning it to the oven).
The difficulty lies in paying attention to when the composition changes. According to the Nature’s Nurture blog , baking soda is “powdery, crystallized, and sticks together” while washing soda is “grainier, duller, and doesn’t stick together as easily.” The blog has a photo illustrating the difference, with baking soda on the left and washing soda on the right:
Don’t forget that this form of washing soda is also caustic, so once it’s done its transformation, be sure to wear gloves when handling it.