Washing Soda

In the states I could buy Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, but I've been to Asda and Tesco here and I can't find washing soda. I've looked in the laundry isle but to no avail. Do you know where it can be found?

http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/#/brands/dri_pak_in_asda.html

Some shops do their own brand also.

I've never heard of washing soda before.
Does it have some sort of specialised use? (or why is it better than something else?)

It softens water and helps degrease things.  It's also better for the environment than other boosters.  It's also great to freshen drains.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate#Domestic_use

Thank you! I will look for Soda Crystals next time I'm at the store. I was purely looking for the words "washing soda" before.

I want to make my own laundry detergent using washing soda and borax. I've read on another forum here that Boots makes their own brand of borax.

newcomer link: http://theecofriendlyfamily.com/2009/08/laundry-detergent/ [nonactive]

I make my own laundry soap using nearly the same recipe and buy most of my ingredients from this site...

http://www.summernaturals.co.uk/

Borax is banned in Europe but you can find Borax substitutes that work just the same. I did once find something labelled as Borax in an Asian grocery store so that might also be worth a look (also great for large containers of Baking Soda/BiCarb Soda and white vinegar).

The one thing I had problems sourcing was the soap. I was using Dr Bronners bar soap but its pretty expensive here. I'm now using the soap flakes from the above site and they're working well plus no grating needed. No scent though but you can always add a few drops of essential oil if you wanted.

Washing soda/soda crystals should be available in the laundry section of any store carrying washing supplies.

I've read on another forum here that Boots makes their own brand of borax.

They used to, but not many Boots stores sell it any more (if any - I'm not sure). I worked in a large Boots store in Bristol between 2001 and 2010 and we sold it at first, but stopped stocking it 3 or 4 years ago.

It doesn't seem to be listed on the Boots website either, but you could try asking at the pharmacy counter and seeing if they can find out if it's still made (they should have a booklet listing all Boots healthcare/household-related stock that can be ordered)

Oh soda crystals!  I saw this yesterday & couldn't think what 'washing soda' was, but I know soda crystals - you really can find that just about anywhere, grocery stores, Wilkinsons, etc.  It might be with the laundry stuff or it might be with general cleaning products.

I use them together with vinegar & hot water to give sink drains a good clean & freshening! 

Apparently, I'm not alone on that:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?p=464366

Fascinating thread! I'm trying to de-chemicalise my life a bit and love the idea of making my own laundry powder.