Soda ash can be bought in two variants — as light soda and as heavy (washing) soda. Both are sodium carbonate in the form of a fine powder and at first glance they look like identical raw materials. There is, however, a certain difference, and it shows above all in volume and use. We will look at what the two variants have in common, how they differ and how to make your own laundry powder from them.
About this article
This article compares the two variants of soda ash that you will find in our range — light soda and heavy washing soda. We will go through their shared properties, the difference in density and particle size, their use in cleaning and laundry, and finally we will show you two recipes for homemade laundry powder — a basic one and a stronger one for white laundry.
Main benefits
- Excellent for cleaning
Both variants are used for cleaning purposes — they remove odours as well as dirt, and they disinfect.
- Softens water
Soda alone helps to soften water and is the basis for homemade dishwasher tablets.
- Help with a clogged drain
In combination with citric acid it helps with clogged drains.
- Degreasing in the kitchen
In the kitchen, soda also helps with degreasing.
- Heavy soda for stains
Heavy soda is popular in laundry detergents and for stain removal — it dissolves easily in water and releases heat.
- It looks after your washing machine too
Besides your laundry, heavy soda also takes care of the washing machine itself and, up to a certain degree of water hardness, helps against limescale build-up.
Properties of both sodas
So what is the difference between these two raw materials?
Both raw materials are:
- sodium carbonate (soda ash), a fine powder,
- with the same molecular weight (105.99),
- with the same degree of solubility (max. 33.2% at 35.4 °C),
- they create the same pH (a 1% solution in pure demineralised water creates a pH of 11.4).
It might seem that these are identical raw materials, but there is still a certain difference. It lies in the density and particle size. Light soda represents 0.77 grams per cubic centimetre and heavy soda has a weight of 1.06 grams per cubic centimetre, which in practice means that a kilo of light soda is larger in volume than a kilo of heavy soda. In addition, light soda is a monohydrate (Na2CO3-H2O) and heavy soda is a decahydrate (Na2CO3-10H2O).
What soda is used for
Both variants are an excellent raw material used for cleaning purposes. In combination with citric acid it helps with clogged drains. Soda alone helps to soften water, it is the basis for homemade dishwasher tablets, removes odours, dirt and disinfects. In the kitchen it also helps with degreasing.
Heavy soda has become a popular variant precisely because of its use in laundry detergents and for stain removal (it dissolves easily in water and releases heat). In addition to removing stains and cleaning laundry, it also takes care of the washing machine itself and, up to a certain degree of water hardness, helps against limescale build-up.
Light soda — how to make laundry powder?
Try a more ecological washing alternative yourself and make your own laundry powder at home. Its preparation is not only simple and ecological, but it will not burden your wallet either.
To make the powder you will need:
| Raw material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Powdered heavy soda | 400 g |
| Laundry soap | 100 g |
A stronger powder for white laundry
If you want real power for your white laundry, we have a recipe for that too:
| Raw material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heavy soda | 2000 g |
| Grated laundry soap | 200 g |
| Sodium percarbonate | 1000 g |
| TAED | 50 g |
| Essential oil | 10 – 15 drops |
Preparation and dosage
- Grate the soap
We mix the raw materials — in the case that the recipe includes soap, we grate it finely and mix it with the soda.
- Add a fragrance
You can also add a few drops of essential oil according to your own preference.
- Store the powder
We store the powder in a glass container so that it does not dry out.
- Dosage 2 – 3 tablespoons
For one load of 5 – 6 kg of laundry, use 2 – 3 tablespoons of laundry powder.
- Extra bleaching 1 tablespoon
If you want to increase the bleaching effect (we recommend this only when washing white laundry), add one tablespoon of sodium percarbonate.
TIP: the use in the recipe is indicative and you can modify it depending on the hardness of the water. If you have harder water, you can increase the proportion of soda, but it is necessary to monitor its effect, because at a high dosage it can cause greying of clothes.
Frequently asked questions about light and heavy soda
Practical questions about both variants of soda ash — the differences, the shared properties, use in the laundry and the dosage of homemade powder.
What is the difference between light and heavy soda?
The difference lies in the density and particle size. Light soda represents 0.77 grams per cubic centimetre and heavy soda 1.06 grams per cubic centimetre — a kilo of light soda is therefore larger in volume than a kilo of heavy soda. Light soda is also a monohydrate (Na2CO3-H2O) and heavy soda a decahydrate (Na2CO3-10H2O).
Do both sodas have the same pH and solubility?
Yes. Both have the same molecular weight (105.99), the same degree of solubility (max. 33.2% at 35.4 °C) and they create the same pH — a 1% solution in pure demineralised water creates a pH of 11.4.
Which soda should you choose for the laundry?
Heavy soda has become a popular variant precisely because of its use in laundry detergents and for stain removal — it dissolves easily in water and releases heat. In addition to your laundry, it also takes care of the washing machine itself and, up to a certain degree of water hardness, helps against limescale build-up.
How does soda help with a clogged drain?
In combination with citric acid, soda helps with clogged drains. Soda alone also softens water, removes odours and dirt, disinfects and, in the kitchen, helps with degreasing.
How much homemade laundry powder should you use?
For one load of 5 – 6 kg of laundry, use 2 – 3 tablespoons of laundry powder. If you want to increase the bleaching effect (we recommend this only when washing white laundry), add one tablespoon of sodium percarbonate.
Why did my clothes go grey after washing?
The use in the recipe is indicative and you can modify it depending on the hardness of the water. With harder water you can increase the proportion of soda, but it is necessary to monitor its effect — at a high dosage it can cause greying of clothes.
You will find light soda ash, heavy washing soda, sodium percarbonate and TAED among the cleaning products and basic raw materials at Handymade.
