When I started making my own laundry soap about 9 years ago in 2012 I just grabbed all the ingredients from my local box store. I never paid much attention to who made what or where their testing was done. I just got what I needed and went to town on making it. Since then I’ve become a lot more aware of things and how they are tested or made. Which is why I’m sharing with you my DIY washing soda recipe I use. It is 100% cruelty free and that’s exactly what I was on the hunt for when I started to research this last time.
Because there aren’t many recipes out there to make your own cruelty free laundry soap I thought I’d share mine (you can find it here) along with how I make my own washing soda to go with it.
Below I’ll share some things you might be wanting to ask or thinking about then I’ll jump right into the recipe I use and the brand I use for mine to make sure it’s truly cruelty free.
Why make your own washing soda
I have found it really hard to find a brand that is curtly free, but I was able to find a baking soda brand that is. So I use that baking soda and turn it into washing soda so I can then use it in my homemade laundry soap and have it be eco friendly, non toxic and cruelty free. And I know exactly what’s in mine.
What’s the difference between the two?
Penny from Penniless Parenting Explains it way better than I can and is where I originally found this recipe. I just tweaked it to fit my oven and my needs.
“The difference between baking soda and washing soda is water and carbon dioxide. Seriously. Baking soda’s chemical makeup is NaHCO3 (1 sodium, 1 hydrogen, 1 carbon, and 3 oxygen molecules). Washing soda’s chemical makeup is Na2CO3 (2 sodium, 1 carbon, and 3 oxygen molecules). When baking soda is heated up to high temperatures, it breaks down to become washing soda, water steam, and carbon dioxide.”
-Penny, Penniless Parenting
What’s Happening for us non science-y types
When your heating up your baking soda some chemical things are happening that change the ph of your baking soda to bring it to the ph of washing soda. It also become inedible so be careful not to handle with your hands (wear cloves) or use a tool to help transfer it and don’t eat it.
Baking Soda ph 8
Washing Soda ph 11
How to tell the difference
I find it almost impossible to notice a difference but there is a slight difference and I want to explain what each one should look like… kinda
Baking soda is more of a dusty powder and will clump together.
Washing soda is a bit more grainy and heavier (not very noticeable) and doesn’t really clump together.
Ingredients
- 2-4 cups baking soda
*I use Bakers Corner from Aldi. You can find their Animal Welfare Policy here. It’s at the very bottom where they disclose they don’t test on animals. I also called and emailed to double and triple check.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 450F.
- Spread 2-4cups of baking across a large baking sheet.
- Bake for 1.5 hours. Stir well at the halfway mark. The baking soda needs to get to 400F to turn into washing soda.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container or use with my homemade laundry soap.
I’m currently working on a list of recipes you can use washing soda for so be back soon to grab all those recipes.
I hope this help you to make your own washing soda with out the testing of animals. Especially if you can’t find any to purchase online. Also be aware that arm and hammer brand is NOT cruelty free. They do test on animals. So using their washing soda isn’t a cruelty free option. But don’t beat yourself up to much if you didn’t know that. I didn’t at one point either.
Until next time, live a life you love!
Xo Jessica!
