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Soda Crystals: Cheap and Chips and still going strong after over 150 years of use!
It's nearing the anniversary of my grandma's death. She was a wonderful lady, strong and even though grandparents shouldn't have favourites, she made it quite clear to everyone that I was hers. Sadly she died from cancer after a long battle. It is in her memory that I'd like to review soda crystals. A bizarre thing to dedicate to her but I know she'd appreciate it. If I learnt anything practical or domestic from her it's that crystals (not diamonds) are a girl's best friend. This does not, in any way, excuse the male of the species from cleaning though!
~~~What did Grandma Do?~~~
Soda crystals have been in use for just over 150 years and they're still going strong. While not as popular as newer householdcleaning products, they are just as effective. These newer products containing detergent, bleach or enzymes have taken over but soda crystals are still used by farmers, commerce and industry despite their popularity for the home dwindling. At the beginning of the 20th century there was much less choice in terms of domestic cleaning aids, just soap, soap flakes of soda crystals. My grandma used to boast that she used them for cleaning, laundry and even cooking, but she was a little potty.
~~~Cleaning Power~~~
With no detergent, bleach, enzymes or phosphates, how exactly do soda crystals clean? When dissolved in water they produce an alkaline solution (opposite to acid on the pH scale). This alkaline solution is particularly effective at dissolving grease, combating acidity and shifting dirt. It also softens water in areas of hard water.
~~~Product Range~~~
The original product comes in crystal form and looks a bit like salt. It is also available in tablet form, pre-dissolved liquid form and premixed with anti-bacterial agents or orange oil. Personally I prefer the loose crystals so that I can dilute it to the strength required for a particular job and because I resent
paying a bit extra for it to be dissolved in water for me. These products are produced by Dri-Pak, as far as I'm aware this is the only company that produces soda crystals within the UK.
~~~Environmentally Friendly~~~
Since the original soda crystals contain no phosphates, enzymes or bleach, they are entirely biodegradable. This can not always be said for the more harsh cleaning products that line supermarket shelves.
The manufacturer recommends that if you are submerging your hands in a soda crystal solution for a long time, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves - especially if you have sensitive skin. I have eczema that is triggered by foods, some skincare toiletries, biological washing powders/liquids and even well diluted bleach. However I've been known (naughty I know) to spend a day cleaning with soda crystal solution when I've moved homes, without rubber gloves and the skin on my hands and arms were fine.
It doesn't smell strongly and won't leave you choking. If anything it has a very mild soap smell but only if you get up close to a solution. The smell doesn't last but surprisingly it can remove odours that result from stale stains or spills.
~~~Dilution~~~
Before I tell you of the many household problems that can be cleaned up with soda crystals, here's a guide to diluting the crystals. It doesn't need to be exact and I admit I usually guess.
Mild Solution: 1 tablespoon into 1 pint of water Medium Solution: ˝ cup into 1 pint of water Strong Solution: 1 cup into 1 pint of water
~~~One Product - Many Uses~~~
There's hardly a place around the home where they can't be used. It's no wonder people complain of lack of storage space these days with a different product for each different task. There's no need for so many products, which can react badly when they come into contact with each other, leave the user gasping for breath and often don't live up to their claims. I use soda crystals for the following tasks but the uses are endless. Soda Crystals can not be used on aluminium surfaces but this is the only exception.
KITCHEN
A strong solution and a washing brush or scour will remove stubborn burnt-on food from pots, pans and grill pans. If it doesn't remove it immediately then usually after a 15 minute soak it'll be much easier. Remember not to use it on aluminium pans though, Borax is better for them but that's a whole different review!
How often have you choked on ammonia containing products when cleaning a cooker and wire trays or shelves from the cooker. A soaking in a strong soda crystal solution for anything from an hour to over night will dissolve the grease and with a bit of a scrub with a metal scour those pesky black spots will be gone. Kitchen grease that collects on cooker hoods can also be wiped off in the same way.
Many other things that can also be soaked in soda crystal solutions. Tannin in tea is what produces unsightly stained teapots and teacups but can be removed in a medium strength solution for about an hour. My flatmates thought I'd bought new mugs! Boil the kettle with a tablespoon of crystals in and it will be descaled immediately. This is much quicker than the leave over night products but remember to check that your kettle doesn't contain aluminium components. A quick rinse out and other than having a sparkling kettle you won't notice any difference in taste.
A mild solution is also great for wiping worktops and washing the front of kitchen cupboards. From experience these areas are overlooked. I was shocked at the state of a flat I moved into, it had been vacant for over a month and the dust has clung to the grease on cupboard doors. Soda crystals cut through the grease really easily and left a sparkling kitchen, even the landlord was impressed.
This is the one time that you can use soda crystals with aluminium. Line a bowl with aluminium foil then soak silverware in a hot water, strong soda crystal solution. The chemical reaction the soda crystals have with aluminium actually removed the dirt and tarnishing from the silverware. After soaking for 15 minutes they can be
Pictures of Soda Crystals
Bag of Tricks
buffed up to a satisfying sheen with a dry cloth. I've used this on jewellery too and was pleased with the results.LAUNDRY
I mentioned earlier that I can't use many washing powders and particularly biological laundry wash products aggravate my eczema. While I've found a product I can use in the machine, I was struggling with getting something to use on hand wash clothes. In cold water soda crystals make my woollen jumpers clean and fluffy. I recently managed to spill food down a new silk top at a restaurant. By the time I got home the grease had spread on the top and I was gutted. I'd never tried soda crystals on silk before but as the top was ruined anyway I couldn't make it much worse. I used a medium solution (by accident poured more than intended in) and I rescued a top that was destined for the bin!
Stains like blood, ink, tea and coffee can be removed by pouring a strong solution over the stain before washing. My dad is an engineer on a ship… thankfully they get their boiler suits washed for them. When he's home he loves nothing more than tinkering with classic motorbikes, there's not an item of clothing that hasn't been soaked in a strong solution to get the dirt and greasy oil out!
In hard water areas, half a cup softens the water and means you can use less of your usual detergent and it'll descale your washing machine's pipes in the process.
BATHROOM
I've been absolutely disgusted at the state of toilets of even privately rented student properties I've lived in. That brown stuff that lurks beneath the water line that's due to lime scale and other crud (less mentioned the better). I get a bit enthusiastic with soda crystals on toilets, tipping a generous cupful down the pan and leaving it to soak over night. In the morning a tickle with a loo brush, flush and observe a lav to be proud of. I keep it that way by doing this once a month.
Just like the kitchen, the bathroom can be attacked in a safe way with soda crystals too. Tiles, flooring, lime scale taps, the bath, the skin and even shower curtains can be fixed up with a medium to strong solution.
… AND MORE
Elsewhere in the house, all paintwork can be washed down, blinds spruced up, windows cleaned, mirrors polished and swilling out waste bins all with mild solution. Spills on upholstery will be removed with a very mild solution and I managed to impress my very house proud friend when her bundle of joy spilt milk on her sofa… the sour smell was horrible and the stain driving her mad. A well rung out cloth dabbed over the stain brought a smile back to her face and a box of chocolates to me - cheaper than a new sofa for her!
So you've gone round the whole house cleaning a wide variety of things and you tip the used solution down the sink. The soda crystals are still working at dissolving grease and grime in the pipes. For more of an industrial approach I pour the dry crystals into the plug hole then add on top the contents of a just boiled kettle.
OUTSIDE
In the garden and outside the house I've been known to use soda crystal solutions on outside drains, patios with moss and slimy leaves and also to get the flies off window screens and number plates but I avoided the paint work as I wasn't sure how safe it would be. Just like my cooker, my barbeque gets the strong solution soak treatment at the end of every summer too.
~~~Availability~~~
I've found the availability of soda crystals to be variable. In Yorkshire they're available in most supermarkets in the laundry or cleaning aisles. In other areas they're only available in larger supermarkets. Soda crystals can also be found in bargain shops, particularly those specialising in toiletries and cleaning products.
A big bag of 300g costs 99p and that's the same price that I've seen everywhere.
In terms of value for money it's not just cheaper than a single product for cleaning but because it is so versatile it works out as a huge saving. Maybe I should have included it in my penny pinching review!
~~~Final Push~~~
I feel like I've written a sales pitch but I've tried to include as much personal experience as I could. I've only included uses that I do myself so all of the ones mentioned come with my seal of approval. It's a totally versatile product and I'm an enthusiastic user. Aluminium is the only thing that doesn't get on well with this product but for cleaning silverware this can actually be exploited! Using just one product all round the house not only saves money but also saves space in terms of storage. It's gentle on my eczema and lungs, biodegradable and better for the environment. Availability is good and a constant, reasonable price keeps me happy too. Never mind diamonds, crystal are a girl's best friend - thanks grandma!
*For some reason ciao has the specific criteria relating to a website!
Thanks for the best review I have read for years, I have learnt a lot from your tips, I moved to hard water area 3 years ago and have been adding it with my cheap wash powder in automatic washer, it gets stains out and keeps washer clean and limescale free, I am desparate to try it on loo as can't find anything to remove brown scale line only elbow grease, I buy it from Wilkinsons at 59p, would like to buy by the sack now I know how good it is. I used to nick a box off my mother over 40 years ago to flush out car radiator before filling with antifreeze. We need more good old tips to save us money in the hard times to come.
by (41%):
29.01.2008 02:17
Thanks for the best review I have read for years, I have learnt a lot from your tips, I moved to hard water area 3 years ago and have been adding it with my cheap wash powder in automatic washer, it gets stains out and keeps washer clean and limescale free, I am desparate to try it on loo as can't find anything to remove brown scale line only elbow grease, I buy it from Wilkinsons at 59p, would like to buy by the sack now I know how good it is. I used to nick a box off my mother over 40 years ago to flush out car radiator before filling with antifreeze. We need more good old tips to save us money in the hard times to come.
03.02.2006 23:46
these good old fashioned things are much better for the environment. First class review, full of tips!
05.11.2005 16:00
Marvellous review: marvellous product. And, of course, Soda Crystals are not tested on animals. Cheers, Paula.