Common Names: Washing Soda, Soda Ash
Function: Water softener, alkalinity booster, cleaning agent
EWG Rating: 1 (Lowest Concern)
What It Is
Sodium carbonate is an inorganic, naturally occurring mineral salt with a high pH. It is used across multiple industries, including cleaning, glassmaking, and water treatment. In household products, it is known for its ability to boost cleaning power and neutralize odors.
What It Does in Laundry
In laundry detergent, sodium carbonate serves three key functions:
- Water softening: Binds to calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, allowing surfactants and enzymes to work more effectively.
- Alkalinity boost: Raises the pH of wash water to break down acidic stains like grease and food residue.
- Odor neutralization: Helps eliminate stubborn smells by shifting the pH environment.
It is especially useful for improving performance in areas with hard water or for tackling heavily soiled laundry.
Safety and Environmental Profile
- Biodegradability: Inorganic and not subject to biodegradation; breaks down naturally in the environment.
- Human safety: Considered non-toxic when used as directed. May cause eye or skin irritation in concentrated form but is diluted in-use.
- Environmental impact: Low. Does not bioaccumulate and is not classified as hazardous to aquatic life.
Source and Production
Sodium carbonate is commonly produced from trona, a naturally occurring mineral mined from ancient lake beds using low-impact techniques. The trona is processed through mechanical refinement and heating, without the use of toxic solvents or petrochemical inputs. This method yields a non-toxic, high-purity mineral that performs effectively while maintaining a low ecological footprint – making it one of the more environmentally responsible sources of alkaline cleaning agents.
This profile is part of Orchard’s Ingredient Glossary, written to provide information on every component we use.