Soda Crystals??

[MrsDoolittle]

Okay, sometime ago someone suggested putting soda crystals in the washing machine for nappies.
Now I have the said soda crystals for the grand price of 21p, but I can't remember what to do with them or what they are for.
Can anyone help me? Bearing in mind that I use white vinegar with my washing powder to keep my nappies nice and soft.

It was zebra, Mrs D - on this thread she recommended soda crystals - I think you dissolve the solid crystals in warm water and add them to a washload? Not sure of proportions though.

Since she posted that I bought a squirty bottle of liquid soda crystals and it shifts old grease spots!

I have Soda crystals and I love them. I use them to clen my kitchen and bathroom, and to scrub my paths.

Thank you ladies. But what do I do with the two great big packs that I have. Can I use them with vinegar? Will they make my nappies soft? Or are they better than vinegar - I haven't noticed any difference. My vinegar does a fab job.

Hi MrsD. I just add 1/2 my washing liquid and one scoop (use old Vanish Oxyclean tub & scoop to store the crystals) of soda crystals to the main wash drawer. That combination tends to get out most stains. Then they're out on the line to bleach out any that are left. I have stopped using the vinegar as it was leaving a funny smell on the nappies and everytime ds wee'd we thought he'd done a poo! Since stopping the vinegar and doing a cold pre-wash the smells seem to have gone. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a better way of getting out the ammonia smells?

I too have started using the crystals for more than my nappies and one of the best uses is as a drain unblocker! Normal drain stuff costs alot and this is a very effective cheaper alternative. HTH

PS, I think the aim of the crystals is to help double the action of the detergent, not to be a 'softener' iyswim

PPS, I think you can use them alongside the vinegar, but I wouldn't put the crystals in the conditioner drawer like you do with the vinegar.

That's really helpfull Karen, thank you.
I haven't noticed the smell you speak of with the vinegar though? How much do you use and what detergent do you use?

I use Sainsbury's non-bio, but have been wanting to move away from it but haven't the courage to start trying out new ones incase the detergent buildup happens again! Which do you use?

I used to put a good dash of vinegar in the conditioner drawer.. about 1/4 of a mug?