How to Make Washing Soda from Baking Soda
There’s something satisfying about realizing you already have what you need.
Washing soda sounds like a specialty product you have to buy in a box. But the truth is, you can make it yourself with one ingredient you probably already have in your pantry: baking soda.
No special order. No extra trip to the store. Just heat and time.
What Is Washing Soda?
Washing soda is sodium carbonate.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.
They start as different forms of the same base compound. When you heat baking soda, it releases carbon dioxide and water vapor. What’s left behind is sodium carbonate — washing soda.
Same ingredient. Stronger form.
Washing soda is:
More alkaline
Better at cutting grease
More effective in laundry and dishwasher detergents
Helpful in hard water
Why Make It Yourself?
You can buy washing soda. But making it yourself means:
You know exactly what it is
No added fillers
No anti-caking agents
No mystery processing
It costs less
And honestly, it takes almost no effort.
Ingredients
Baking soda
That’s it.
How to Make Washing Soda
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Spread baking soda in an even layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 1 hour.
Let cool completely.
Transfer to a labeled airtight jar.
You do not need to stir it while baking. As long as it’s in an even layer, the heat does the work.
How Do You Know It Worked?
After baking:
It will look slightly duller.
It will feel less fluffy and more grainy.
It may clump slightly.
That’s normal. It means the conversion happened.
What Can You Use Washing Soda For?
Homemade laundry detergent
Dishwasher powder
Grease-heavy cleaning
Boosting laundry in hard water
Stripping towels
Cleaning stovetops
It’s not something you want to use on delicate surfaces, but for heavy-duty cleaning, it’s powerful.
Important Note
Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda.
That means:
Avoid prolonged skin contact.
Don’t inhale the powder.
Keep it away from children and pets.
It’s not dangerous when used properly, but it’s stronger than baking soda.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those old-school skills that feels empowering.
You don’t need a specialty product.
You just need to understand what you’re working with.
Sometimes “making it yourself” isn’t about reinventing the wheel — it’s about realizing the wheel was simple all along.
How to Make Washing Soda
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.Spread baking soda in an even layer on a baking sheet.Bake for 1 hour.Let cool completely.Transfer to a labeled airtight jar.You do not need to stir it while baking. As long as it’s in an even layer, the heat does the work.
What Happens When You Bake Baking Soda?
- Heating baking soda releases carbon dioxide and water vapor.What remains is sodium carbonate, also known as washing soda.Washing soda is more alkaline and stronger than baking soda, making it better for laundry, grease removal, and homemade cleaning products.
How to Tell It’s Ready
- Texture will be less fluffy and slightly grainy.It may clump slightly.Color remains white.
How to Use Washing Soda
- Homemade laundry detergentDishwasher detergentGrease-heavy cleaningHard water laundry boosterStripping towels
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in a dry place.Keep away from moisture.
Safety Notes
- Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda.Avoid prolonged skin contact and avoid inhaling the powder.Keep out of reach of children and pets.