Ingredients are the cornerstone of our products and our business. We strive to use ingredients and formulas that are safer for people and the environment. We consider the entire ingredient lifecycle, from sourcing and manufacturing to use and disposal. Third-party certifications from MADE SAFE® and Leaping Bunny hold us accountable and help us identify ingredients that align with our standards. We list every ingredient we use on the label of each product and on our website.
Our Meet Your Ingredient series is our effort to provide additional information about our products so you can make informed decisions. This entry is all about washing soda, which we use to make our Laundry Powder and Oxygen Brightener.
What is washing soda?
Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate or soda ash, is a grainy white powder that is chemically similar to baking soda, but more alkaline and slightly more abrasive. It is commonly used as a laundry booster and water softener to help detergents penetrate deeper into fabrics.
How is washing soda made?
Washing soda is primarily made through two methods: mining natural mineral deposits and synthetic manufacturing from sodium chloride and lime.
Washing soda is derived from naturally occurring trona ore. The raw ore is mined, heated, and filtered with water to remove impurities, resulting in sodium carbonate. In the United States, most trona ore is mined in the Green River Basin in Wyoming, which is home to the largest deposit of trona in the world. We source our washing soda from this region.
Sodium carbonate can also be synthesized through the Solvay process, in which sodium chloride is treated with ammonia and carbon dioxide to create sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and ammonium chloride. The resulting baking soda is heated to produce sodium carbonate (washing soda), while the ammonium chloride byproduct is treated with lime to make ammonia and calcium chloride.
What is washing soda used for?
Washing soda is a versatile and effective cleaning agent. It acts as a water softener and stain remover:
- Water softener: Water hardness refers to the concentration of dissolved minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) in water. Dissolved minerals react with soap and detergents, making them less effective at removing dirt and soil. Washing soda treats hard water by binding with calcium and magnesium, allowing cleaners to work more effectively.
- Stain remover: Sodium carbonate is highly alkaline, with a higher pH level than baking soda and borax. This helps washing soda break down tough stains like grease, oils, and fats.
At Meliora Cleaning Products, we use sodium carbonate to make our Laundry Powder and Oxygen Brightener.
Health impact of washing soda
Washing soda is used in laundry products as a safer alternative to synthetic additives used in conventional products to enhance performance.
Sodium carbonate is rated “A” (low concern) in the EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning and is approved by MADE SAFE®, a human health and ecosystem-focused certification for household products.
Like all ingredients in home cleaning products, sodium carbonate should be handled with care. When used as directed, our Laundry Powder and Oxygen Brightener are safe for regular household use.
After working with larger quantities of washing soda without gloves you may notice a drying effect or a slippery feeling on your fingers if they get wet. This is similar to other caustic materials and usually milder than strong caustic solutions such as bleach. As a caustic (highly alkaline) substance, direct contact can irritate eyes and should not be ingested or inhaled. If you experience prolonged exposure to washing soda, wash any exposed skin thoroughly and breathe clean air. If you continue to have issues, contact a health professional.
Environmental impact of washing soda
Sodium carbonate is a natural, biodegradable substance that is considered safe for ecosystems and the environment when used in moderate amounts, such as for home cleaning. It breaks down readily in water to form sodium and carbonate ions, which further react with water to create hydroxide ions, creating an alkaline solution, which is useful for cleaning.
As is the case with all materials, producing and processing washing soda affects the environment. Washing soda is produced from either mining natural minerals or chemical manufacturing:
- Mining trona ore requires machinery, facilities, and processing to purify the sodium carbonate. While trona is a natural resource, it is not renewable and can eventually be depleted.
- Manufacturing sodium carbonate involves chemical processes that release highly alkaline discharge and generate significant greenhouse gas emissions.
By sourcing washing soda domestically from Wyoming, we reduce the need for chemical processing or excessive, international, transportation in our supply chain for this ingredient.
Washing Soda
Also known as: Sodium Carbonate, Soda Ash
INCI Name: Sodium Carbonate
CAS Number: 497-19-8