Soda ash changes the pH of the fiber-reactive dye and cellulose fiber so that the dye reacts with the fiber, making a permanent connection that holds the dye to the fiber. (It can also be used with silk, but not other protein fibers such as wool.)
Soda Ash/Sodium Carbonate - 2.5 lbs
Soda Ash is another name for Sodium Carbonate. It has a great many uses below are some examples:
What is soda ash used for?
Soda ash changes the pH of the fiber-reactive dye and cellulose fiber so that the dye reacts with the fiber, making a permanent connection that holds the dye to the fiber. (It can also be used with silk, but not other protein fibers such as wool.)
How do you use soda ash with Procion MX and similar fiber reactive dyes?
There are three choices, depending on what you're doing: add the soda ash before the dye, add it with the dye, or add it afterwards.
Adding the soda ash before the dye is the usual method for tie-dye. First tie the garments, or leave them loose. Make up a solution of 1/2 or 1 cup of soda ash per gallon of water (soda ash dissolves best in warm water, 96 degrees F. or 35 degrees C.), and soak the material from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on your recipe and materials. Then, wearing gloves, wring out the material, and prepare to apply the dye. (Optionally, you may chose to line-dry your soda-ash-presoaked garments, for some dyeing techniques. The soda ash stays in the fabric. Be cautious, as the dust can be irritating to breathe or to the skin.)
Adding the soda ash with the dye is commonly used with dye painting. A possible drawback is the fact that the dyes will retain their ability to dye fabric for only a few hours after the soda ash is mixed into them. (Procion MX dyes without soda ash will stay good for at least a week after mixing, at normal room temperature.)
Adding the soda ash after the dye is the usual method for immersion dyeing and low water immersion dyeing.
Baking Soda versus Soda Ash
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, does not produce as high a pH as does sodium carbonate, or soda ash. Bicarbonate generally produces a ph around 8, while carbonate can raise it to 11.
Using bicarbonate with fiber reactive dyes, you will have to use more dye, because so much of the dye you use will be wasted at the low pH; alternatively, your dye will not be nearly as well attached to the fiber, and will be much less washfast as a result. It really does work best to use the correct pH. Soda Ash is the only way to go in order to save your dye.
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