Old-school $5 cleaning product that cleans grime with no scrubbing

Old-school $5 cleaning product that cleans grime with no scrubbing main image Old-school $5 cleaning product that cleans grime with no scrubbing image

Rediscovering the $5 Cleaning Powerhouse: Washing Soda

Say goodbye to scrubbing—this old-school cleaning product does the hard work for you!

Burnt-on grime and stubborn stains in the kitchen are every cleaner’s nightmare. But what if you could avoid the back-breaking scrubbing altogether? Enter washing soda, a tried-and-true solution that costs just $5 a kilogram and has been quietly sitting on the sidelines, waiting to make your cleaning routine a breeze.

What Is Washing Soda?

Washing soda, made from natural sodium carbonate, has been a household staple long before modern cleaning products flooded the market. Free of harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances, it’s an eco-friendly, versatile cleaner you can use around the house.

This all-purpose powerhouse softens water, boosts detergent effectiveness, and can even be the key ingredient in homemade cleaning sprays. But one of its standout uses? Tackling baked-on food and grime without breaking a sweat.

The "Unsung Hero" of Kitchen Cleaning

Professional cleaners swear by washing soda for its grime-busting abilities. A popular cleaning tip shared by Instagram account @thecleangroup highlights the magic of liquid soda crystals, a liquid form of washing soda that simplifies even the toughest cleaning tasks.

Here’s their foolproof method for cleaning oven trays:

  1. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda across the surface of the tray.
  2. Add half a cup of liquid soda crystals.
  3. Fill the tray with boiling water.
  4. Place the tray on the stove and let it simmer for 30–45 minutes.

Once the grime starts to lift, rinse it off—and voilà! Your oven tray will look brand new with minimal effort.

Beyond the Kitchen

Washing soda isn’t just for oven trays. Its versatility makes it a must-have for other tough-to-clean items, like air fryer baskets, sinks, and even bathroom surfaces.

Fans Are Amazed by the Results

After seeing the dramatic transformations, many are rediscovering washing soda’s potential:

  • "What a transformation!"
  • "Wow! Looks like new!"
  • "I never think to use soda crystals—this is a game changer!"

Why You Should Give It a Try

Washing soda isn’t just effective—it’s economical, eco-friendly, and easy to use. Whether you’re deep-cleaning the kitchen or tackling other tricky stains around the house, this $5 gem deserves a spot in your cleaning arsenal.