{"product_id":"soda-ash-sodium-carbonate","title":"Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoda ash (sodium carbonate)\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most useful helpers in natural dyeing. It cleans (scours) cotton and linen before dyeing, it is used with alum when mordanting plant fibers, and it shifts madder toward redder tones. It is also used to raise the pH of indigo vats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 g (1.76 oz), 100 g (3.5 oz) and 400 g (14.1 oz).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow much soda ash to use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScouring cotton and linen:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–5% WOF with a little pH-neutral soap. Simmer for about an hour, then rinse well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWith alum on cotton and linen:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5–2% WOF together with 12–15% alum, after a tannin bath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMadder:\u003c\/strong\u003e a small pinch in the rinse or dye bath shifts color toward red and pink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to scour cotton and linen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeigh the dry fabric and weigh 2–5% soda ash.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDissolve the soda ash in hot water in a large pot, add a drop of pH-neutral soap and the wet fabric.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimmer for about an hour, stirring now and then. You will see the water turn yellow or brown as oils and starch come out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse well. The fabric is now ready to mordant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eImportant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not use soda ash on wool or silk.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is too alkaline for protein fibers; wash them with a pH-neutral soap instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen mordanting, dissolve soda ash and alum separately: they fizz when combined.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWear gloves; soda ash is mildly irritating to skin and eyes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelated:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en-ca\/blogs\/news\/how-to-prepare-fiber-fabric-for-natural-dyeing\"\u003eHow to prepare fabric for natural dyeing\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/en-ca\/blogs\/news\/a-guide-to-mordanting-cellulose-fibres-cotton-and-linen\"\u003eMordanting cotton and linen\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/en-ca\/products\/cellulose-mordant-kit-cotton-linen\"\u003eCellulose mordant kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is soda ash used for in natural dyeing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScouring cotton and linen, helping alum bind to plant fibers, shifting madder toward red, and raising the pH of indigo vats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I scour wool with soda ash?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is too alkaline for wool and silk. Use a pH-neutral soap instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much soda ash do I need to scour fabric?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2–5% of the dry fabric weight, so 2–5 g for 100 g of cotton or linen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead the guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en-ca\/blogs\/news\/soda-ash-for-natural-dyeing-chalk-gum-arabic\"\u003eSoda ash, chalk and gum arabic guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWork out exact grams for your fabric with our free \u003ca href=\"\/en-ca\/pages\/natural-dye-wof-calculator\"\u003enatural dye calculator and WOF chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is soda ash used for in natural dyeing?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Scouring cotton and linen, helping alum bind to plant fibers, shifting madder toward red, and raising the pH of indigo vats.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I scour wool with soda ash?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. It is too alkaline for wool and silk. Use a pH-neutral soap instead.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How much soda ash do I need to scour fabric?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"2–5% of the dry fabric weight, so 2–5 g for 100 g of cotton or linen.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"themazi","offers":[{"title":"50 g (1.76 oz)","offer_id":46226896847082,"sku":"SodiumCarbonate52","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 g (3.5 oz)","offer_id":46226896879850,"sku":"SodiumCarbonate50","price":8.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400 g (14.1 oz)","offer_id":46226896912618,"sku":"SodiumCarbonate51","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/1990\/2109\/products\/image_da949faa-a8a0-49a9-af82-da2200cab152.jpg?v=1684439564","url":"https:\/\/themazi.com\/en-ca\/products\/soda-ash-sodium-carbonate","provider":"themazi","version":"1.0","type":"link"}