14 Household Uses For Soda Ash

Soda Ash is baking soda's stronger, harder-working cousin. While both are natural mineral compounds, soda ash is far more alkaline and is designed specifically for cleaning purposes but unlike baking soda, it is not suitable for consumption.

Also known as sodium carbonate, soda ash is a fine powder that dissolves easily in water. With a pH of around 11, it is exceptionally effective at cutting through grease, lifting stains, softening water, and tackling stubborn grime around the home.

At Green Goddess, we use only our Premium Soda Ash in a number of our natural cleaning and laundry products because of its powerful cleaning ability and versatility. Whether you're dealing with dirty laundry, greasy surfaces, or tough household cleaning jobs, soda ash is one of the most useful natural cleaning ingredients you can have on hand.

Here are our top fourteen ways to use soda ash around the home.

14 Household Uses For Soda Ash

1. Make Your Own Natural Laundry Powder

Soda ash is one of the key ingredients in our homemade laundry powder recipe. It helps soften water, boost cleaning power and remove stubborn dirt and grease.

See our recipe here.

2. Help Control Mildew and Black Spot on Roses

Mix ¼ cup soda ash, 1 cup milk and 3 litres of water and spray onto affected plants. This traditional garden remedy may help discourage fungal problems such as mildew and black spot.

3. Freshen Dish Cloths and Tea Towels

Soak dish cloths and tea towels in a solution of 1 tablespoon soda ash to 1 litre of very hot water for at least 30 minutes. This helps lift grease, remove odours and freshen fabrics before washing as usual.

4. Clean Slimy Paths and Driveways

Sprinkle soda ash over slippery paths, pavers and driveways. Lightly dampen with water and leave for at least 12 hours before brushing away. Best applied during fine weather.

5. Restore Tarnished Silverware

Line a bowl with aluminium foil and add ½ cup soda ash to 3 litres of hot water. Soak silverware for around 15 minutes or until tarnish begins to lift. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry.

6. Tackle a Dirty Oven

Sprinkle soda ash over the base of your oven, dampen with water and leave overnight. In the morning, remove the loosened grime and finish cleaning with Green Goddess Glass and Stainless Spray Cleaner.

7. Deodorise Chopping Boards

Sprinkle soda ash onto chopping boards and scrub well to remove lingering food odours. Rinse thoroughly before using again.

8. Freshen the Toilet

Add 2 tablespoons of soda ash to the toilet bowl and leave for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a toilet brush. A simple way to help keep your toilet fresh and clean.

9. Help Control Whitefly and Mites

Mix ½ cup soda ash with 6 litres of water and spray onto affected plants. Avoid spraying during the heat of the day and always test on a small area first.

10. Pre-Soak Dirty Laundry

For heavily soiled clothes, dissolve ½ cup soda ash in 3 litres of hot water and soak garments before washing. Excellent for greasy work clothes and stained fabrics.

11. Remove Lichen

Mix ½ cup soda ash with 1 litre of warm water and spray directly onto lichen. Leave to work before gently removing the dead growth.

12. Keep Drains Clear

To maintain free-flowing drains, pour ¼ cup soda ash down the drain every couple of weeks and flush with hot water. For stubborn blockages, pour 1 cup soda ash down the drain followed by 3 cups of boiling water. Repeat if necessary.

13. Clean Rubbish Bins

Wash indoor and outdoor rubbish bins with a strong solution of soda ash and hot water to help remove grime, grease and unpleasant odours.

14. Remove Mould from Outdoor Furniture

Sprinkle soda ash onto mouldy outdoor furniture, add a little water and scrub. Leave overnight, scrub again and rinse thoroughly with a hose. This can help remove mould and freshen outdoor surfaces.

A Few Extra Uses

Add a small amount to mop water for cleaning hard floors.

Use to remove greasy build-up from barbecue trays and outdoor cooking equipment.

Clean garden pots and seed trays before reusing them.

Use as a water softener in areas with hard water.

Help remove greasy stains from concrete surfaces.

Important: Soda ash is a powerful cleaning product and should not be consumed. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin and keep out of reach of children.