Calcined soda

Soda is a substance that is familiar to almost everyone, since it is widely used in everyday life. Most of us are familiar with baking soda, but she still has sisters: caustic and soda ash. What are their differences and how to correctly apply this excellent cleaning agent, you will learn from this article.

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Features of different types of soda

Differences in properties are determined by differences in molecular structure in chemical formulas:

• Baking soda is bicarbonate sodium or sodium bicarbonate with the chemical formula NaHCO3.
• Calcined soda is a sodium compound with the chemical formula Na2CO3.
• Caustic soda has the formula NaOH.

Important! The weakest alkaline reaction is baking soda. The stronger alkaline properties of calcined, and caustic soda - a strong alkali, it is also called caustic soda.

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History of production and use of soda

Even the ancient Egyptians used natural soda extracted from lake water as a detergent, and also used it for cooking glass. Calcined soda in nature is found in large quantities, mainly in salt formations in the form of underground ground brines, as well as brine in salt lakes. Sodium carbonate is also found in the ash of some seaweed.

Important! More than 60 deposits of soda ash are known on the earth. Large reserves of sodium carbonate are concentrated: in the USA, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya, etc. Soda lakes are found in Transbaikalia and western Siberia. Lake Natron in Tanzania is also very famous.

Sodium carbonate is also found in the form of a number of minerals. In the United States, natural soda accounts for more than 40% of the country's demand for this fossil. There are no large deposits of sodium bicarbonate in the territory of the CIS, therefore no calcined soda is extracted from minerals, however the first industrial method of obtaining this powder appeared in Russia.

Important! In 1764, a Russian chemist, Swedish-born Erik Gustav Laxmann, suggested that soda be prepared by sintering natural sodium sulfate and charcoal. In 1784, at his own glass factory, Laksman made soda production according to his method, but, unfortunately, this method was not developed further.

Nowadays, sodium carbonate is produced in 4 ways:

1. Based on natural soda.
2. Processing nefilinov.
3. Ammonia method( from sodium chloride).
4. Carbonation of sodium hydroxide.

Important! The production of sodium carbonate from natural raw materials - the industry is relatively new( appeared in the late 1940s).And at the moment it is the main competitor of the ammonia production method, due to high ecological purity and great economic benefits.

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What is soda ash?

Calcined technical soda( sodium carbonate) is a dry loose substance of white color. It is manufactured in the form of grades "A"( granules) or "B"( powder).

Important! Technical soda ash should be made in accordance with the requirements of the standard approved by the established procedure( GOST 5100-85).

The application of soda ash occurs in the following directions:

• Sodium carbonate grade "A" is used for the production of vacuum tubes.
• Calcined soda brand "B" is used in the chemical industry:
  • For the production of fatty acids and synthetic detergents;
  • When cleaning brines in the production of chrome, barium, phosphoric, sodium salts;
  • As a carbonate-containing raw material for the production of glycerol, allyl alcohol.
• In the leather, pulp and paper, oil, paint and varnish industries.
• In the iron and steel industry - the production of cast iron.
• In the production of consumer goods.
• In the food industry - as an emulsifier, acidity regulator( food supplement E500).

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The main differences between soda ash and baking soda

Baking soda is a weak alkali with a pH of 8.1( pH 7 is neutral), and calcined soda is a strong alkali having a pH of 11. Due to its chemical properties, the use ofthese two products are different. Nutritional soda is usually used in cooking( as a baking powder), in cosmetology, as a folk remedy for the treatment of various diseases. To clean the surfaces of dirt it is rarely used, as it has a very weak effect.

Quite another matter - soda ash. It has a strong cleaning and greasing property, and therefore it is quite logical to use soda ash at home as a universal water-softening cleaning detergent for:

• Washing dishes - exceptions are only aluminum items.
• Cleaning of sinks, bathtubs, sanitary ware, tiles, kitchen surfaces.
• Washing of floors.
• Machine and hand wash.
• Soaking linen and cotton fabrics with hard water.
• Prevention of scale formation in washing machines( instead of "Calgon").
• Elimination of pipe blockages.
• Cleaning of faience, porcelain, ceramic, enamelware.

Important! When using soda ash at home, it is necessary to adhere to safety and precautionary measures, since it is a chemical product and belongs to the third class of danger.

The drug should be stored where there is no access to children and animals, and also separately from food. To work with sodium carbonate, you need to purchase rubber gloves, especially for those who have sensitive skin. When using soda ash for washing, observe the time mode, since the chemical can dissolve the fabric.

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Use of soda ash at home

The use of soda ash at home is advisable in the form of a solution with a temperature of 10 to 100 C.

Application dosage:

• For washing and boiling: 10-1 of detergent is needed 20-100g( 1,5-7 tbsp soda) at a water temperature of 30-100 ° C.
• To soak: for 10 l of water at a temperature of 30-40 C add 30-100 g of soda ash( 2-7 tbsp.).Wash the linen for 2-4 hours.
• For water softening: add 20-50 g of sodium carbonate( 1.5-3.5 tbsp) to 10 l.
• When washing dishes: for 1 liter of water, add 5-15 g( 1-3 tsp) of the product.
• Dirty surface and plumbing wipe with a sponge soaked in a solution of sodium carbonate( for 1 liter of hot water - up to 3 tablespoons of the product).

Important! After surface treatment with soda, rinse it with clean water to avoid splashing, and then wipe the surface dry.

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Calcined soda - instructions for use

Sodium carbonate is the basis for the production of non-phosphate modern powders. They effectively remove dirt and do not harm nature. To enhance the effectiveness of your simple detergent, use soda ash at home in this way:

1. 3 tbsp.l.soda ash( with heavy soiling or hard water up to 5 tbsp.) - add the inside of the drum of the washing machine.
2. Wash at a water temperature of 50-100 ° C.

Important! Do not wash with soda clothes with a special coating or membrane surface.

You can prepare with your own hand detergents based on soda ash. To do this, use the following recipes.

Homemade detergent

Washing powder, prepared according to this recipe, can be used for both manual and machine washing.

You will need the following ingredients:

• 150 g of soap( well-dried soap shavings, powdered).
• 200 g of soda ash.
• 200 g of borax.

All components are thoroughly mixed, add flavored essential oils( if desired), and store in a tightly closed jar.

Important! Use detergent at this dosage: 1 tbsp.l.for 1 kg of laundry.

Homemade gel for washing

In order to make a gel for washing yourself, you will need:

• 50 g of soap shavings( preferably without additives).
• 45 g of soda ash.
• 1 liter of water.
• Essential oils( optional).

Preparation:

1. In boiling water, dissolve the soap chips.
2. Mix thoroughly, bringing it to a homogeneous state.
3. Add sodium carbonate to the soap solution.
4. Mix thoroughly until soda is completely dissolved, otherwise - stains may remain on colored and dark underwear.
5. After the solution has cooled, add essential oils.

Important! Keep the gel in a tightly closed jar and use at this dosage: 1 tbsp.l.for 1 kg of laundry.

Choose essential oils by properties. For example, tea tree eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender have antibacterial and repellent properties. If you want to give a pleasant soothing aroma to the laundry, then use citrus, lavender, chamomile, jasmine, etc. oils.

. Instructions for washing the floor.

The use of calcined soda at home is also advisable in order to clean the floor thoroughly. To do this, follow these instructions:

1. 3 tbsp.l. Sodium carbonate dilute with 5 liters of warm water.
2. Wash the floor with a cloth and a soft rag.
3. Wipe surface with clean water.
4. Dry the floor.

Important! Do not use sodium carbonate for surfaces susceptible to alkalis.

Instruction for the elimination of pipe clogging

To eliminate pipe clogs, use soda ash as follows:

1. 2 tbsp.l.soda ash dissolve with a glass of hot water.
2. The prepared solution is slowly poured into the sink.
3. After 10 minutes rinse with hot water.

Important! To get rid of the plaque in the siphon, use the following remedy: 3 tbsp.l.of sodium carbonate, pour into the drain hole. There also pour vinegar or a diluted essence with a quantity of 100 g. After 5 minutes, the runoff will be cleared.

Instructions for cleaning the bath

To clean the bath, purchase the necessary components:

• Calcined soda.
• Industrial bleach.
• Baking soda.
• Vinegar.

Also purchase the following materials and tools:

• Cleaner container.
• Soft brush.
• Rubber gloves.

Important! When cleaning the bath do not use metal objects, as you can scratch the surface of the sanitary ware.

Proceed as follows:

1. Prepare the first portion of the cleanser by mixing two types of soda in equal proportions - 2 tbsp.l.will be sufficient.
2. Add some water to the powder, bring it to a mushy state.
3. Dampen the bath.
4. Wipe the wet plumbing, prepared with a mixture.
5. Leave the mixture for 15 minutes.
6. Prepare the following composition: mix one quarter of a glass of vinegar and bleach.
7. Apply the mixture on the first layer of soda.
8. Leave on for 30 minutes.
9. With a brush or sponge, rinse with plenty of water.

Important! Cast iron bath is well cleaned with a composition of soda ash and laundry soap( in equal proportions).Prepare the prepared mixture with a small amount of water and apply to the surface of the bath. After an hour, rinse with water. If the bath is heavily soiled, add a little ammonia to the substances listed above and increase the pot life.

Calcined soda is a very effective and economical detergent. Unlike more expensive cleaning products, sodium carbonate is an environmentally safe substance, does not contain phosphates and does not pollute nature, so use soda at home, and you will not only save money and time, but also save your health.