Soda Ash What is it? What does it do?

SODA ASH

No, it's not what's left after burning a case of rootbeer. Soda Ash is soft and grayish white in color. It is found in either powder form or lumps. Soda ash (actually sodium carbonate) has been mined since early times. Way back in early Egypt there is evidence that soda ash was "mined" around the edges of dried up alkaline lakes. It was refined somewhat, and then used in the making of glass, and soap. Early Romans used it for pharmaceuticals (medicine) for such things as cholic and skin rashes. They also used it for making glass and bread.

Today, soda ash is used in the making of glass, paper, photographic products, textiles, dyes, petroleum refining and many more.

In the production of glass, for every 100 tons made, 25 tons of soda ash is used. That makes glass one quarter soda ash!

Milk bottles used to be made of glass!