Soda / bicarb

[LeaBees]

Hi,
Is there a reason sodium bicarbonate is the recommended cleaning agent for tools etc?
Not wanting to blindly do things because it’s the way its always been done, I’m trying to understand why not just fairy liquid or some more modern detergent? I imagine soda/bicarb was all that was available back in the day.

Thanks

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Hi,
Is there a reason sodium bicarbonate is the recommended cleaning agent for tools etc?

It's not - you want washing soda

 

[Norton Caff]

Washing soda is good for getting propolis off

 

[gmonag]

Washing Soda is Sodium Carbonate.
N.B. Do not confuse with Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda), Soda Pop (Coca Cola) or Soda Bread!

 

[Jules59]

Propolis is tenacious and will not wash off with washing-up liquid, but the alkaline nature of sodium carbonate makes it very effective.
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) will also dissolve away propolis but is much more expensive and volatile.
I found petrol won't work on propolis.

 

[pargyle]

Washing Soda is Sodium Carbonate.
N.B. Do not confuse with Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda), Soda Pop (Coca Cola) or Soda Bread!

Or Soda all else for that matter ....

 

[LeaBees]

Propolis is tenacious and will not wash off with washing-up liquid, but the alkaline nature of sodium carbonate makes it very effective.
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) will also dissolve away propolis but is much more expensive and volatile.
I found petrol won't work on propolis.

Thanks @Jules59 . A rational reason. And yes, I did mean washing soda.

 

[user 819]

Washing soda simply has the ability to break down propolis, I add 2 or 3 chlorine tablets as well with my washing soda.

 

[elainemary]

This is good to have in your cupboard for propolis removal, especially on clothes and I sometimes use to spray on awkward corners on large gummed up items that are hard to clean by soaking in washing soda. Use one per season at £7

https://www.thorne.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1956

 

[drex]

My wife chucked out a load of Ariel washing powder, and rather than waste it I nabbed it for the apiary. Marvellous at removing wax and propolis. With a bit of bleach it is all I use . Much more efficient than washing soda.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

My wife chucked out a load of Ariel washing powder,

When I was on the boats SWMBO used to prefer OMO and usually kept it handy on the windowsill, but when I was home on days off she used to put it in the cupboard under the sink for some reason

 

[pargyle]

My wife chucked out a load of Ariel washing powder, and rather than waste it I nabbed it for the apiary. Marvellous at removing wax and propolis. With a bit of bleach it is all I use . Much more efficient than washing soda.

That will be the washing soda in it then !

 

[coffindodger]

When I was on the boats SWMBO used to prefer OMO and usually kept it handy on the windowsill, but when I was home on days off she used to put it in the cupboard under the sink for some reason

 

[North End Bees]

Not wanting to blindly do things because it’s the way its always been done, I’m trying to understand why not just fairy liquid or some more modern detergent?

Make up a bucket of each and you'll soon find out why most beekeepers use washing soda instead of plain fairy

 

[AubMar]

When I was on the boats SWMBO used to prefer OMO and usually kept it handy on the windowsill, but when I was home on days off she used to put it in the cupboard under the sink for some reason

Was wondering if you ever got to the bottom of the reason for this behavior, and apologies for the pun!!!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Washing soda simply has the ability to break down propolis, I add 2 or 3 chlorine tablets as well with my washing soda.

Since this thread has already corrected one chemical description it's worth pointing out Chlorine is a gas under normal temperatures and pressures.

 

[Poly Hive]

Caustic Soda is vicious stuff. We used in in water based drilling mud and by crikey if you had a cut you knew about it. One guy wanted to take off the aluminium oxide on his hard hat so left it overnight to soak. In the morning on pulling up the welding rod supporting the hat out of the solution, there was only the rim left. It's not stuff to mess with *** can and does fight back.

PH