Its chemical formula is Na₂CO₃.
It is also known as “washing soda crystals”, especially in stores.
This compound has been widely used in many fields for centuries. For example, in Ancient Egypt about 4,000 years ago, it was used to make glass.
Today, it is used in the food industry as an additive regulated under the number E500(i). It is also used in making soap, detergents, and in various other fields.
It can replace the calcium carbonate I mention in several recipes on this site. Sodium carbonate (also called washing soda crystals) is used in the same proportions. However, results may vary slightly, especially when it is used to make lake pigments.
You can find it in stores as an eco-friendly household product, but you can also make it yourself from a more common ingredient: baking soda.
Sodium carbonate is not toxic to the environment, but it can be irritating. So it’s best to avoid any direct contact and, above all, not to ingest it.For your safety, it’s recommended to wear a mask and rubber gloves, and to work in a well-ventilated area—either outdoors or with the windows open and the kitchen extractor hood running—to avoid inhaling the fumes.
Keep a close eye on the baking soda in the oven, as it should not burn.
Once the powder has cooled, store it in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets.
