Do Soda Crystals And Borax Have The Same Effect When Doing Laundry?

Soda crystals and borax are some of the best laundry products that simplify your life by getting clothes cleaner than just using detergent alone. However, they will produce these results only if you understand how to use them properly. One question you might have is whether soda crystals and borax produce the exact same effect when doing laundry. It turns out they are actually quite different. Zachary Pozniak, COO of New York's Finest Dry Cleaner and a YouTuber at The Clean Clean, explained that soda crystals, also known as washing soda, increase the pH of water and break down stains, while borax tackles mineral buildup from hard water.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, the expert also shared insight on the chemical composition of these products. Reviewing this information will help you better understand the science behind how they work. Soda crystals, Pozniak shared, is "sodium carbonate, which is highly alkaline and helps to increase the pH of the wash water." As for borax, Pozniak explained that it is essentially a water softener. This makes the product ideal for those washing laundry in hard water.

As you now know, washing soda crystals and borax have different functions. They should not be used interchangeably when doing laundry. While speaking exclusively to House Digest, expert Zachary Pozniak shared more insight on how these products can help improve the cleanliness of your clothes in their own ways. He explained that washing soda "primarily enhances the cleaning power of your detergent by breaking down stains and dirt." Consider using the product when you need to tackle stains that just won't budge. "It works well in lifting tough stains and improving detergent performance," Pozniak continued.

One of the mistakes many people make when using borax is assuming that its sole purpose is to act as a laundry stain fighter. Luckily, Pozniak revealed the role it actually plays in a wash cycle. "It binds to minerals in the water, allowing detergents to penetrate fabrics more effectively and preventing mineral buildup on clothes," the expert shared, explaining how borax softens hard water. Now you know when to use either product to produce your cleanest load of laundry yet. This should minimize the risk of making laundry mistakes that will make stains worse.

Before using borax or soda crystals as part of your laundry washing routine, take some time to research the different ways to use the products. Zachary Pozniak shared his own advice on this, which should make things a bit easier. "You should use about a 1/4 cup of each depending on what you are trying to achieve," he said while speaking exclusively to House Digest.

You can also mix these cleaning ingredients with other products for other purposes. "Both can be used as laundry boosters, but they are often combined in recipes for enhanced cleaning power," Pozniak said. "For example, a common mixture is 2 parts washing soda, 1 part baking soda, and 1 part borax, which can be added to the wash to improve overall cleaning performance."

He also recommended sodium percarbonate, which you might know as powdered bleach. This can be used as a laundry booster to get whites brighter and color correct stains. On the other hand, baking soda is what you should use to tackle stubborn odors. Beware of the precautions Pozniak shared regarding borax and soda crystals before mixing them with any of the aforementioned products. "Both should not replace your regular laundry detergent but should be used in conjunction with it," he explained. "Overuse of either can lead to premature breakdown of textiles."