Sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃, is the inorganic compound with the formula Na₂CO₃ and its various hydrates. All forms are white, water-soluble salts. All forms have a strongly alkaline taste and give moderately alkaline solutions in water. Historically it was extracted from the ashes of plants growing in sodium-rich soils.
It is mainly used as a bleaching agent. Sodium carbonate causes the ions which cause the hardness of the water to precipitate thus yielding soft water.
It is an important chemical used in production of glass, Soda ash is mixed with sand and heated to extreme temperatures and then suddenly cooled. This is how glass is produced.
When reactive tints are used in textile industry sodium carbonate causes the bonding between the paint and the yarn.
In food industry it is used as an acid stabilizer, and an anti-caking agent.
It is also used in the production of bricks as a wetting agent and in the production of toothpaste as a foaming agent increasing oral PH as well enabling abrasion for enamel cleaning.
