Pre-soak for stained or dingy items
What you’ll need
- Soda Crystals
- Bucket
- Rubber gloves
Method
- Begin by examining the care label on your clothing to determine the recommended washing temperature.
- Dissolve 200 grams of Soda Crystals in a sink or bucket filled with hot water.
- For stains caused by proteins such as blood, vomit, or milk, allow the water to cool since hot water can fix these stains.
- Soak the garments for at least an hour before placing them in the washing machine.
- After washing, inspect the items before using the dryer, as the heat can fix any remaining stains. If the stain persists, repeat the process or try an alternative method.
Use for: Stains and laundry stripping
Soda Crystals are especially good at naturally removing stains such as tea, coffee, blood, oil, grease, and ink from clothes.
Whilst Soda Crystals are a natural cleaning wonder, there are some things that should not be cleaned with them because of their abrasive properties (can scratch delicate surfaces).
Polished/Waxed/Lacquered Surfaces:
Due to its abrasiveness, Soda Crystals should not be used on fibreglass or polished/waxed surfaces as they may cause damage. The same applies to lacquered or varnished surfaces as Soda Crystals can damage the lacquer and leave a dull finish.
Aluminium:
Soda Crystals should not be used on aluminium products, such as aluminium pans, utensils, or window frames. This is because Soda Crystals can corrode aluminium and will discolour them.
Store Soda Crystals in a labelled airtight container in a cool and dry place, out of reach of kids and pets. Get a container with a tight seal, such as our glass jars to maximize its shelf life, but it also makes it easier to scoop out when needed for cleaning.
Whilst Soda Crystals are a very environmentally friendly and safe Natural Cleaning ingredient, it is important to bear in mind that it is still a chemical. As such the powder can still cause damage and irritation if handled incorrectly.
It is not edible, should not be inhaled, and can damage eyes (flush the exposed areas with large quantities of water). Wear gloves when cleaning with Soda Crystals as prolonged contact with the skin when used in high concentrations can also cause irritation.
B&M Pro-Tip 1:
Soda crystals are a fantastic, safe solution for tackling all sorts of fabric stains, from ink to red wine and even grass. Just make sure your fabric is colourfast first! It’s easy to check: simply wet a small spot on your garment and blot with kitchen roll. If any colour shows up on the paper, it’s not colourfast.
B&M Pro-Tip 2:
This Pre-soak solution is ideal for laundry stripping and works wonders on whites, lights, and colourfast items like bath towels and bed sheets that can be washed in hot water without fading. If your towels and sheets are looking a bit dingy, feeling scratchy, and stiff, give them a four-hour soak to deep-clean and remove built-up grime until the hot solution cools. Give them a stir now and then to help release the buildup into the water. Then, wring out your items and pop them through a full wash cycle without detergent or softener.