Yes, you can make it at home. No, you can not make it up ahead of time, (ask me how I know!).
Sadly hydrogen peroxide is something like bleach in that it degrades over time and is not easy to make at home.
Great tip about peroxide and washing soda! Thank you! I think I’ll try that after I run out of my current tub of OxyClean.
Washing soda is a highly alkaline chemical compound which can be used to remove stubborn stains from laundry. It also has numerous uses around the house, and it is used in a range of industrial applications as well. Washing soda should not be confused with washing powder, which is a powdered soap used as a detergent; it is also not the same thing as baking soda, although the two compounds are closely related.
The chemical formula for washing soda is Na2CO3, and it is also known as sodium carbonate. It is a salt of carbonic acid, a chemical which produces a wide range of salts collectively known as carbonates. One common source of washing soda is the ashes of plants; for this reason, it is sometimes called soda ash. Sodium carbonate can also be extracted from sodium chloride, also known as table salt.
In laundry, washing soda accomplishes several things. The high alkalinity of washing soda helps it act as a solvent to remove a range of stains, and unlike bleach, washing soda does not usually stain. It is also used in detergent mixtures to treat hard water; the washing soda binds to the minerals which make water hard, allowing detergent to foam properly so that clothing will come out clean, without any residue. Sodium carbonate is also used by some textile artists, since it helps dyes adhere to fabric, resulting in deeper penetration and a longer lasting color.
Around the house, washing soda can be used to descale things like coffee machines and bathroom tiles which may accumulate mineral deposits as a result of exposure to hard water. It can also be used to strip floors of wax so that they can be refinished, and for other touch cleaning jobs like scrubbing the stove. However, you should wear gloves when cleaning with washing soda, because it is very caustic and it can cause severe skin damage. Incidentally, the best way to treat a chemical burn is with baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, as it is a buffer and it will neutralize both acids and alkalis. Apply baking soda to the site of the burn for several minutes, flush the wound with water, and seek medical attention.
Many markets carry washing soda, typically with other laundry products. Some companies make mixed detergents with washing soda which are specifically formulated for hard water, and you can also find washing soda on your own. Since sodium carbonate can be dangerous, make sure to keep washing soda out of the reach of children and pets, and clearly label the container to indicate that it is caustic.
Making Your Own Washing Soda [Sodium Carbonate] Out of Baking Soda [Sodium BiCarbonate]
Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) slowly turns into washing soda (Sodium Carbonate, a.k.a. soda ash) when heated above 140 degrees F. The carbon dioxide released is what makes things rise. If you heat baking soda to 400 degrees, it’ll turn into washing soda in about an hour.
Baking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) drives off carbon dioxide and water and leaves sodium carbonate:
NaHCO3 Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
You need to preheat the oven to 400F and it’s two hours. Just spread it thin on a pyrex baking dish.
Do in small quantities – carbon dioxide is released.
Washing soda is sodium carbonate and has a Ph of 11 (be careful when using). Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and has a Ph of 8.
Use 400F or higher and make sure the powder is exposed to this temperature for long enough. Heating in this procedure can be safely overdone, as long as the container is safe. The resulting sodium carbonate is anhydrous, which is more potent than monohydrate form. This form is hygroscopic, and also readily absorb carbon dioxide gas from air, so keep it in a air-tight container.
“OxyClean is just washing soda and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts.”
I didn’t know that. Hydrogen peroxide is fairly inexpensive, so this sounds like a much more economical version.
Keep several bottles of hydrogen peroxide (yes, they expire quickly) on hand to get skunk smell off the dog. Use it straight with a big sprinkle of baking soda and a squirt of dishsoap to cut through the oil.