Commercial oven cleaners are essentially liquid Soda Crystals. You can make a powerful paste to cut through carbonized grease.
You cannot substitute Soda Crystals in a cake recipe. Sodium carbonate is bitter, toxic, and will ruin the chemical leavening process. Baking soda requires an acid (like vinegar or buttermilk) to create carbon dioxide bubbles for rising. soda crystals baking soda
While they look similar (both are white powders) and have similar names, Soda Crystals and Baking Soda are chemically different and have very different strengths. Soda crystals are highly alkaline
The short version:
Soda crystals are highly alkaline. They are too harsh for skin and should never be eaten, but they are incredible at dissolving grease, oil, and tough stains. Yes, but only one way
Best used for:
Yes, but only one way. You can turn baking soda into soda crystals by heating it in an oven at 200°C (400°F) for about an hour. The heat drives off carbon dioxide and water, leaving sodium carbonate. This homemade washing soda works well for cleaning, but never reverse the process.