Sodium carbonate occurs naturally on earth, but may also be manufactured by mixing sodium chloride (salt) with ammonia. You can buy sodium carbonate at most grocery, pool or hardware stores. The grey-white powder or solid white powder is odorless and tasteless.
Washing soda has significant economic importance because of its applications in manufacturing glass, chemicals, paper, detergents and many other products. It has been used since ancient times.
Washing soda and baking soda are both natural substances made from a mineral called trona. Processing trona produces sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Both are white crystalline powders.
It is used as a food additive, recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is widely used as an ingredient in glass products, dish soap and floor cleaners for many reasons.
Many products include Sodium carbonate.
As a food additive, sodium carbonate is commonly included in noodles to give them a springy texture. It's also an ingredient in sherbet powder.
