How to Make Washing Soda From Baking Soda
Washing soda, or sodium carbonate, is a salt with many useful applications. According to the Mineral Information Institute, it works as a water softener, and it's stain-removing capabilities make it an important component in laundry detergents. Dyers use washing soda as a fixing agent to help cloth absorb and retain dye, and paper makers use the salt to aid in the breakdown of plant fibers.
Although washing soda is not always easy to find, you can find baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, at any grocery store. When you expose baking soda to high heat over an extended period of time, it loses water and carbon dioxide and becomes washing soda.
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Things You'll Need
- Stainless steel pot with a heavy bottom
- 4 oz. baking soda
- Centigrade thermometer
- Airtight container
Instructions
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Pour the baking soda into your pot and place on the eye of the stove.
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Cook on high and frequently check the baking soda's temperature. You should see steam rising and condensation gathering around the edge of the pot at about 100 degrees Centigrade.
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3
Cook until steam no longer appears, and the temperature has reached about 200 degrees Centigrade. At this point, your baking soda will have released water and excess carbon dioxide and become washing soda.
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Allow the washing soda to completely cool and store in an airtight container.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your workspace well-ventilated.
Never leave your workspace unattended.
Wear gloves when working with washing soda; it may irritate sensitive skin.
References
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Comments
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do you add water to this or cook it dry?
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How much water do you add to the pot with the baking soda to make washing soda? Answer please. thank you
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You can also bake it in the oven on a cookie sheet.
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Swanberg
Nov 04, 2009
You say to COOK the baking soda on the stovetop to remove any moisture. Do you mean to cook the DRY soda in a pan? Wouldn't it burn? If there is more involved please explain.
