Wondering where to buy soda crystals for cleaning? Here are my go-to places in the UK to shop for this green cleaning staple, including where to buy plastic-free soda crystals.
Soda crystals are one of the most useful ingredients to have in your natural cleaning cupboard. It can help you make homemade laundry detergent, boost the cleaning power of your washing machine, clear blocked drains, and even remove stubborn tea stains from cups. There are myriad uses for soda crystals around the home.
If you’re ready to give this versatile cleaning staple a try, then the good news is that soda crystals (often referred to as washing soda) are widely available in the UK.
You can often pick them up in supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda or Sainsburys in the laundry or household cleaning aisle, often near laundry boosters or stain removers. You can also find as well as in many hardware and DIY shops, such as B&Q. Dri-Pak is the most widely stocked brand in UK, so look out for their signature green coloured packaging.
If your local shops don’t stock them, buying online is usually straightforward. Here are some of my favourite places to buy soda crystals, including a plastic-free option.
Where To Buy Soda Crystals
If you are struggling to find soda crystals in the shops near you, then here are my favourite places where you can buy soda crystals online:
Ethical Superstore
Dri-Pak is the main distributor of soda crystals in the UK. You can pick up 2 kg of Dri-Pak soda crystals online at Ethical Superstore for just £4.58 (£2.29 per kg), or 6 kg for £13.05. Standard delivery costs £4.95 and is free when you spend over £60 at Ethical Superstore.
Big Green Smile
Dri-Pak soda crystals can also be bought online at Big Green Smile in 1 kg bags for £2.35 (£2.35 per kg). Do note, though, that Big Green Smile has a minimum total order value of £34.95, with a delivery charge of £3.95. Orders over £55 are delivered free of charge.
Because of that minimum order value, it can make sense to wait until you need to restock other green cleaning products before placing an order.
&Keep
Dripak packages all of its soda crystals in plastic bags. If you’re looking for a plastic-free option, then ethical and sustainable retailer &Keep sells soda crystals in plastic-free, resealable packaging. The bag is then home-compostable when you’re done.
It costs a little more – £3.50 per 750g (this works out at £4.67 per kg). But if you don’t mind paying that bit extra to avoid plastic, then it’s a good, sustainable and zero-waste option. &Keep offers free shipping on orders over £40, or £3.95 for orders for below £40.
Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the &Keep mailing list.
Amazon
While I personally try to avoid Amazon because of concerns around tax practices, labour issues and environmental impact, it is sometimes the most accessible option for people. If that’s the case for you, soda crystals are available there as well.
It sells six packs of Dri-Pak soda crystals. This link is the cheapest I’ve been able to find soda crystals on the site.
Can You Make Your Own Soda Crystals?
Occasionally readers ask whether soda crystals can be made at home. The answer is yes, if you already have bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda) to hand, which can be easier to buy in bulk.
The process works by heating bicarbonate of soda in the oven. Doing this releases the carbon dioxide and water molecules bound up in the bicarbonate, leaving you with sodium carbonate -otherwise known as soda crystals.
To make soda crystals from bicarbonate of soda:
- Place around 250 g of bicarbonate of soda on a shallow baking tray, spreading it out to form an even layer.
- Bake in an oven heated to 200°C (400°F/gas mark 6) for around one hour.
- After an hour, stir the bicarbonate of soda and spread it back out to form an even layer.
- Pop the tray back in the oven for a further hour.
- After an hour, leave the tray to cool completely. It should have a coarser texture and a yellow tinge to it to indicate that the bicarbonate of soda has turned to soda crystals.
- Store in a labelled airtight container, out of the reach of children and pets.
With current energy prices, making soda crystals this way isn’t always the most economical or energy-efficient option. For most people it’s simpler to buy them. Still, it’s a handy method to know if you already have bicarbonate of soda in bulk.
If you do try it, make the most of the oven heat by filling it with as many trays of bicarbonate of soda as will comfortably fit.
Sign Up For The Moral Fibres Substack
Get all the latest articles from Moral Fibres straight to your inbox, once a month, free of charge through Substack. You can also upgrade to be a paid Substack subscriber, where you’ll receive an additional two exclusive articles a month. Sign up now:
