Soda Crystals / Baking powder / Bicarbonate of soda

[pineapplebryanbrown]

Apologies for thickness.

Would someone please explain the difference to me and what I use where?

Soda crystals are sold near the washing powders and can be used in solution for cleaning or used as in the washing machine to soften the water/ help with cleaning the clothes. Baking powder/ bicarb are primarily baking ingredients but can be used in cleaning applications too

www.dri-pak.co.uk/cleaning-products/soda-crystals/

pixie thank you, can I only put soda crystals in with white clothes or ok with coloureds too?

I'm sure they are ok for whites and colours

www.dri-pak.co.uk/laundry-products/soda-crystals/

Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same thing. (Americans usually refer to baking soda)

I've never heard of baking powder being used in anything other than baking.

bicarb/baking soda is great for removing grease from surfaces, bicarb is also good for removing whiffs from things, put a ramekin of the stuff in the fridge if there's been something particularly pongy there. Mix some with vinegar and apply to smelly armpits on clothing items.

snip I think that's where I got mixed up between baking powder and baking soda. I spent some time in America where they were very keen on Arm and Hammer.

Soda crystals are brilliant for cleaning up grease.
Bicarb great for getting rid of smells in the fridge.
Baking powder great in scones

They are three different chemical compounds. The soda is short for sodium baking soda and bicarbonate soda are two different salts. Baking powder is actually a dry chemical compound of a weak acid, ie citric acid and an alkali - which is almost always a carbonate or a bicarbonate which when wet, combine and fizz to create the airy rise in baking. This is why they are not at all the same thing and can’t be mixed up. (But soda crystals - washing soda are great for killing mould when mixed with a bit of peroxide!)

I'm possibly more confused than ever and will have to ask my mum

If you mix vinegar with bicarb the acid neutralises the alkali of the bicarb. It will be more effective if you use water.

Bicarb can be used with boiling water and tin foil to remove tarnish from silver.

Baking soda = bicarbonate of soda (can be used for cleaning and baking)

Baking powder contains bicarbonate of soda plus an acid - used for baking

Soda crystals - do NOT use for baking! Used for cleaning, decreasing, etc

I put soda crystals in with my laundry to soften the water. Much cheaper than calgon or a supermarket equivalent.

Baking powder = bicarb + cream of tartar. Makes plain flour into self raising flour.

Bicarbonate of soda/baking soda= handy powder for absorbing smells, mild abrasive for cleaning, also makes a fizzy mixture for cooking or pretend volcanoes.

Soda crystals are for washing, freshening drains and helping them stay clear.

With a wash shall I put a little washing powder, some soda crystals in the main drawer and then vinegar in the fabric softener bit?

With black gunk in the washing machine drawer do I use vinegar?

Also does anyone know please how to clean dishwasher with soda crystals, in the drawer?

Take the washing machine drawer out and clean it in the sink. Clean the bit it goes into with bleach spray and an old toothbrush.

Thanks pixie!

I'm sure I read somewhere not to put soda Crystals in the dishwasher, but I'm not sure why.

I clean the dishwasher by filling a cup with vinegar and sitting it on the stop drawer, then running the hottest longest setting.