We all know Saint Marc laundry detergent!
Especially our grandmothers from elsewhere.
This famous product consists of soda crystals.
It is also much less aggressive than washing soda.
But its use and effectiveness are very close.
It is a very effective product for stripping, cleaning and scouring.
Its strong point? The price!
It was my grandmother who gave me all her tips for enjoying all the benefits of this simple product.
Here are 8 surprising uses for washing soda at home . Watch:
It is known under 3 different names:
St Marc detergent, washing soda or caustic soda.
As we have already said above, Saint-Marc washing powder is much less aggressive than soda washing powder.
Nevertheless, their uses are similar.
But they have nothing to do with baking soda, make no mistake.
Washing soda is nothing but the liquid version of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).
The latter comes in the form of flakes that are diluted in water.
It is ideal for cleaning, cleaning, degreasing...and all this without emitting gas that hurts the lungs.
But be careful, never use it without wearing gloves, because it attacks and dries out the skin.
If your tiles are dull due to limestone, clogged or stained, a little washing with washing soda is the solution.
Dilute a little of this detergent in lukewarm water and rub your floor with this mixture before rinsing with clear water.
And hop ! The tiles are like new.
Be careful, some modern tiles are covered with a protective layer. Do not wash them with this method.
As a precaution, do a little test in a corner.
Before repainting wood that has already been painted, it must be stripped so that the paint adheres well.
How?
Coat the wood with a brush dipped in liquid washing soda.
Leave on for a few minutes before scraping. The paint peels off on its own!
After a while, the paint dulls.
Whether on an old radiator, an old wall or on a wooden piece of furniture, sometimes you have to give it a little something new.
To restore the shine to the paintwork, clean it with a barely damp sponge dipped in a little washing soda diluted in lukewarm water.
Rinse and dry.
Dirt, stains and other dull spots are gone .
No need to buy a steamer to remove the wallpaper.
I have simpler and more economical:St Marc laundry detergent!
Dampen the wallpaper with a sponge dipped in washing soda diluted in lukewarm water.
Let it act for a few minutes...and oh miracle!
The wallpaper peels off easily.
Did you know this is the best known use of washing soda?
A clogged sink?
Soda is your ally.
Mix it with water in the clogged toilet and let it act overnight.
The next day, rinse thoroughly. Normally, the pipe is unblocked and returns to its normal use.
If not, try again.
Warning:close the door tightly at night while it works to avoid breathing the vapours.
When an unpleasant odor escapes from the pipes, a little cleaning is required.
Throw half a teaspoon of washing soda flakes down the pipe and run hot water.
Leave on overnight and rinse.
The next day, the smells are just a bad memory.
If there's one place that can be greasy, it's the kitchen.
And in particular the oven, the hood, the hobs and the splashback behind it.
Again, mix some washing soda with lukewarm water and clean the oily areas with this mixture.
Rinse with clean water.
The fat is literally gone.
If the scale clogs your coffee maker or teapot and the scale is very encrusted, use the washing soda.
Pass a little water and soda through the device and let it act for a few hours.
Rinse with clean water.
It also works to descale a washing machine !
Put a glass of soda in the machine and spin it empty at 40 or 60°.
Despite its virtues, soda remains an aggressive chemical.
It should not be used without protection:gloves, goggles and mask for the most fragile.
- Put on gloves to avoid burns to the skin. Soda can cause 3rd degree burns.
- Put on goggles to protect your eyes from splashes.
- Wear a mask especially if you have breathing problems. Open the window of the room you are working in.
- Do not mix. We don't mix it with anything but plain water!
- Store it out of the reach of children and pets.
- In case of contact with the skin, rinse immediately with clear water. Also know that diluted white vinegar neutralizes the effects of soda.
- If swallowed, call the poison control center. Above all, do not vomit, it will burn the esophagus while ironing.
