Sodium Carbonate (also known as soda ash or washing soda) is an alkaline mineral salt used to raise pH and improve cleaning efficiency.
It is commonly used in laundry powders, dishwashing products, and heavy duty cleaning systems as a builder that supports surfactant performance in hard water.
In personal care, it is mainly a process helper for pH adjustment in specific alkaline systems and should be used carefully because it increases pH quickly.
FEATURES
- Raises pH quickly – effective alkaline adjuster for high pH systems.
- Builder performance – supports cleaning power, especially in hard water conditions.
- Water soluble salt – dissolves readily for dosing and adjustment.
- Cost effective – strong performance with low material cost.
BEST FOR
- Laundry detergents
- Dishwashing products
- All purpose cleaners
- High pH wash off systems
- pH adjustment (alkaline direction)
FORMULATION GUIDELINES
| INCI | Sodium Carbonate |
|---|---|
| Type | Alkaline salt (pH adjuster/builder) |
| Solubility | Water soluble |
| Use Rate | 0.1–2% typical as a pH adjuster. Higher levels are used in detergents and cleaning powders depending on the cleaning target. |
| pH Impact | Strong pH lift. We recommend adding in small steps with continuous pH checks. |
| Temperature Tolerance | Stable under normal processing. |
| Pro Tip | Always pre-dissolve sodium carbonate in water before adding to a batch for smoother dosing. For surfactant systems, adjust pH near the end after viscosity is close, because pH can shift viscosity and clarity. Avoid using sodium carbonate to “fix” a formula that needs buffering. If pH keeps drifting, add a buffer system instead of repeated correction. |
| Appearance | White powder or granules |
| Stability Notes | Can increase irritation risk in personal care if the final pH is too high. Always set a safe target pH for the product category. |
| Storage | Keep sealed, cool and dry. Protect from moisture and humidity. |
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