Difference Between Washing Soda and Soda Ash

There is no difference between washing soda and soda ash.

Both of these are just synonyms. Therefore, both names refer to sodium carbonate that has the chemical formula Na₂CO₃. Let us discuss more details about this compound.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Washing Soda
3. What is Soda Ash
4. Side by Side Comparison – Washing Soda vs Soda Ash in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Washing Soda?

Washing soda or soda ash is the chemical compound that has the chemical formula Na2CO3. The chemical name of this compound is sodium carbonate. The most common form of this compound occurs as a crystalline decahydrate. It readily effloresces to form a white powder. This white powder is the monohydrate form of this compound. The pure form of sodium carbonate is hygroscopic.

Difference Between Washing Soda and Soda Ash

Figure 01: Sodium Carbonate Powder

The names washing soda or soda ash comes with its domestic use. It is useful as a water softener in laundering because it can compete with magnesium and calcium ions (which cause the water hardness) to avoid the bonding between these ions and the detergent that we use. However, washing soda cannot prevent from scaling. Moreover, we can use this compound to remove dirt such as grease, stain, oil, etc.

Key Difference Between Washing Soda and Soda Ash

Figure 02: Baking soda – We can use Baking Soda to produce Washing Soda easily via baking it

We can buy washing soda from stores easily. However, we can make it at home as well. There, we can simply bake baking soda (for half an hour at 400 Fahrenheit) to convert it into washing soda. We can do this because there is only a slight difference between baking soda and washing soda; baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, so, if we heat this compound, it yields sodium carbonate, water vapour and carbon dioxide.

What is Soda Ash?

Soda ash is sodium carbonate that has the chemical formula Na2CO3, and thereofore, it is a synonym for washing soda.

What is the Difference Between Washing Soda and Soda Ash?

There is no difference between washing soda and soda ash. Washing soda or soda ash is the chemical compound that has the chemical formula Na2CO3.

Summary – Washing Soda vs Soda Ash

There is no difference between washing soda and soda ash. They are just synonyms. Both names refer to sodium carbonate that has the chemical formula Na2CO3. Let us discuss more details about this compound.

Reference:

1. “Sodium Carbonate.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 July 2018. Available here
2. O’Connell, Mary, et al. “How to Make Washing Soda If You Can’t Find It In Stores.” Nature’s Nurture, 4 Dec. 2016. Available here