Sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash, is an industrial chemical with multiple uses. Here are some of the most common uses of sodium carbonate:
-
Cleaning agent: Sodium carbonate is a component of many dry soap powders and is used as a cleansing agent for domestic purposes like washing clothes. It has detergent properties through the process of saponification, which converts fats and grease to water-soluble salts (specifically, soaps) .
-
Water softening: Sodium carbonate is used for lowering the hardness of water.
-
Manufacturing: Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacture of glass, soap, paper, and sodium compounds like borax.
-
Food industry: Sodium carbonate finds use in the food industry as a food additive (E500) as an acidity regulator, anticaking agent, raising agent, and stabilizer. It is also used in the production of snus to stabilize the pH of the final product.
-
Skincare and haircare: Sodium carbonate is used in skincare and haircare products to regulate pH levels. It can be found in products such as exfoliants, shampoos and conditioners, bath oils and salts, and moisturizers.
-
Fabric washing: Sodium carbonate is a very good fabric washer and is necessary to clean stains.
-
Fire extinguishing: Sodium carbonate delays combustion reactions so it can be used to extinguish a fire by releasing carbon dioxide.
-
Other uses: Sodium carbonate is also used as a relatively strong base and as an abrasive and foaming agent in toothpaste. It is also used as a wetting agent in the brick industry.
It is important to note that while sodium carbonate is less likely to cause chemical burns than lye, care must still be taken when working with it, as it is corrosive to aluminum cookware, utensils, and foil.
