I am overly excited as I have purchased

[PumpkInDublic]

SODA CRYSTALS!

I bought them to add to my white washing as I have old and grey white towels I wanted to get stains out of.

I looked on the back of the packaging (here's why I'm so excited) and it seems they can be used for anything from cleaning to getting moss off brick walls. I'm going to Google the brand to see what else they recommend but I was wondering what everyone else finds them really good for and what to give a miss.

[pictish]

Have a wonderful time with them!

[PixieHot]

I bought some too! Weeks ago, but they're unopened in the cupboard .

[PixieHot]

How much do you add to your white washing Dublic? Where do you put them? Do you still add powder and softener (although presumably not for towels)? I'm also clueless .

[Tuttutitlookslikerain]

They are amazing, and so cheap!

I add about a Vanish scoop and a half sized amount to my washing powder, Pixie.

[PumpkInDublic]

Pixie, my first wash is going round with them in and I am eagerly anticipating the amazing life changing results. Also soooooo much cheaper than vanish!

Pictish, I am embarrassed to say I'm enjoying thinking of all the chores that will be easier and cheaper for me now. Easily pleased me!

[VerySmallSqueak]

I use them in my washing and down the plughole (handful over the plughole washed down with a kettle of boiling water) to keep the pipes clear.

[VerySmallSqueak]

Put in the dispenser drawer with the powder Pixie.I use about the same amount as Tutt and I use no fabric conditioner.

[ArthurShappey]

I use them down plug holes... Pour some down there, leave them for a bit, then add vinegar, fizzes a bit and then flush out with boiling water.

[PumpkInDublic]

Pleased to hear they're good for the drains. The specialist stuff is so expensive, also a white vinegar lover here so will be careful not to mix the two outside of the drains if it fizzes!

[Tuttutitlookslikerain]

Pumpkin if you dissolve some in red hot water and soak your oven racks in them for an hour, the grease comes off with a wipe.

We use them to wash the floors and do the skirting boards too.

[Anste]

Use them to clean the dishwasher too. I sprinkle them on the 'floor' and run through the hottest wash, much cheaper than Finish etc.

Also
Drains - inside and out
Cleaning the washer
Cups if stained from tea/coffee
Teapots

[AmethystMoon]

Pour near onto burnt saucepans and add a small amount of boiling water then leave to soak.... Saved me many a pan!

[AmethystMoon]

Neat! Not near. Near the pan would not be so effective

[PigletJohn]

Good for grease and drains, good for washing the sludge out of your washing machine (

[PigletJohn]

Good for grease and drains, good for washing the sludge out of your washing machine (one cupfull, hottest cycle, no soap, no fabsoft, no clothes. If the water foams up and goes grey, thats the old soap sludge dissolving. Do it again until it stays clear).

Vinegar neutralises it so don't mix them.

It will corrode aluminium.

[PigletJohn]

Grrrrrrrr, phone!

[Goldmandra]

So Pumpkin, how was the wash? Very interested to know if the towels are whiter

[HappySunflower]

[PumpkInDublic]

Ah so many amazing suggestions!

Will my sink be aluminium? Or my plug hole covers IYSWIM? Should I keep it away from those?

Goldmandra the towels came up amazing. DS's white school shirts are like new ( no mean feat with a rather messy 8 year old!). I am so impressed and feeling very resentful of the money I have spent on Vanish in the past, especially when there was a cheaper product with more uses.

Feeling rather evangelical about it .

[PigletJohn]

sink will be stainless steel. plughole will probably be chrome.

Non-stick pans are usually aluminium, so are some saucepans, so are the thermal plates under some older stainless pans (but not so many now as it does not withstand dishwashers well)

Aluminium is much lighter than steel, and usually grey. You may have some alumium alloy parts on your cooker, such as gas burners. Do not soak them in washing soda.

[MirandaWest]

I really must use the soda crystals I bought ages ago

[PumpkInDublic]

Wonderful PigletJohn, thank you.

[poppyboo]

I'm going to try this with my girls white polo tops! Excited to see results!

[poppyboo]

(Now if only someone would tell me how to get dry erase ink used at school on white boards out of school uniform I would be very excited...)

[PumpkInDublic]

Poppy, have you tried soap spirit? That stuff gets tip ex out of black school blazers!