Study Guides/Chemistry/Uses of Washing Soda
Study Guide · Chemistry

Uses of Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)

Washing Soda is a common household chemical with many industrial uses. In Class 10 Chemistry (Acids, Bases, and Salts chapter), it is an important topic.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is washing soda? Write its formula and uses.

Answer

Washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃·10H₂O). It is alkaline in nature and is used as a water softener in laundry, in manufacturing glass and paper, and for removing grease and stains.

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Key Facts

Chemical Name: Sodium Carbonate.

Formula: Na₂CO₃·10H₂O.

Nature: Alkaline (basic) salt.

Main Use: Water softener and cleaning agent.

What is Washing Soda?

  • Chemical Name: Sodium Carbonate
  • Chemical Formula: Na₂CO₃·10H₂O (it has 10 molecules of water of crystallisation)
  • Nature: It is a basic/alkaline salt.
  • It is made from baking soda (NaHCO₃) by heating it.

Uses of Washing Soda

  1. Laundry/Cleaning: Used as a water softener in washing clothes. It removes the hardness of water by reacting with calcium and magnesium salts.
  2. Glass Manufacturing: Used in making glass, soap, and paper.
  3. Removing stains: Used to clean grease and stains from household surfaces.
  4. Textile Industry: Used in the manufacture of textiles and dyeing.
  5. Paper Industry: Used in the manufacture of paper.
  6. Removing water hardness: Reacts with CaSO₄ and MgSO₄ (hard water salts) to make water soft.

Questions and Answers

What is washing soda? Write its formula and uses.+

Washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃·10H₂O). It is alkaline in nature and is used as a water softener in laundry, in manufacturing glass and paper, and for removing grease and stains.

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