Soda Ash light 99.2%Min. (Na2CO3)

What does soda ash do for fabric dye?

Soda ash (SA), also known as sodium carbonate, is a workhorse in the dye studio. It is an easy way to add alkalinity to a dyebath to modify its shade. For example, when added to a madder dye bath, soda ash will cause it to redden. It is also an easy way to raise the pH of an indigo vat or scour silk fibers.

What does soda ash do to clothes?

Soda ash changes the pH of the fiber-reactive dye and cellulose fiber so that the dye reacts with the fiber, making a stable connection that holds the dye to the fiber. It actually activates the fiber molecules so that they can chemically attach to the dye.

Can you dye fabric without soda ash?

Without it the dye will not be permanently bonded with the fabric, and will continue to wash out with each washing.

Soda ash light (Na2CO3) is used in dyeing cotton and other cellulose fibres such as linen, rayon, tencel or hemp, to increase the pH (alkalinity) of the reaction. The ideal pH depends on the fibre and the individual dye colour. Soda ash changes the pH of the fibre-reactive dye and cellulose fibre so that the dye reacts with the fibre, making a permanent attachment that holds the dye to the fibre.

Soda ash is most commonly used in:

• Manufacture of glass, where it reduces the melting temperature of the sand used in glass formation and helps in the 'workability' or shaping of glass articles such as tableware and float glass,
• Making soaps and detergents, where it is employed as a builder, or filler, to give a smoother surface,
• Production of chemicals such as sodium silicate, sodium bicarbonate and percarbonate, and sodium chromate and dichromate,
• Pulp and paper manufacture, water treatment, effluent treatment, metallurgy and drugs.