Before understanding how to prepare Soda ash, we first need to be clear about what Soda ash is? What is it used for? So that we can prepare it better.

What is Soda ash?

Soda ash is a safe and simple natural compound with white granular appearance and is a key ingredient in various industrial processes as well as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Soda ash is also widely used in the fabric sector as a functional dye, which is used to tint fabrics in order to produce a variety of colours and is fade resistant.

How do you make soda ash?

Soda ash is relatively easy to prepare and you can prepare it yourself at home. All we need is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and a burner such as a stovetop, oven or even a microwave. The procedure is as follows: preheat the oven to 300°F and wait for the oven light to go out. Once the light goes out, the oven is at the proper temperature. Do not place trays in the oven until it reaches temperature first, in order to avoid burning the product as the oven heats up. Place it on the rack in the middle of the oven. Set the timer for 60 minutes. Let it bake.

There is no reason to open the oven during this process. When the timer rings, remove the pan and let it cool. It should still be white. If you burn it and it turns brown, it will need to be remade. Once cooled, transfer the soda ash to a storage container.

High pH soda ash is ideal for dyeing materials as it retains a large number of different colours and shades. This means you don't have to think about colours fading or even ending up distorted after the actual dyeing. To colour textiles using soda ash, first wash the fabric in high water. After that, mix the soda ash and dye together, stir the colour mixture until it is really well blended and then pour it onto the fabric. Let the material penetrate the colour for 30 minutes. Finally, wash the cloth in cold water and dry it.