18126. Sodium carbonate

Letter 18126

Sodium carbonate

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I have a Quicksilver plate purchased in England. Directions say it is to be used with Household Soda Crystals (Sodium Carbonate). What is that in American English? I have baking soda, but I always thought that was Sodium Bicarbonate. Can anyone help?

Lee Berkley
- Allentown, PA

First of three simultaneous responses -- ++

One of the common names for sodium carbonate is washing soda.

Lee Gearhart
- East Aurora, NY

Second of three simultaneous responses -- ++

Try washing soda. Sodium carbonate is NaCO₃.xH₂O, where x is a number over 8!

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist - UK

Third of three simultaneous responses -- ++

Hi, Lee Berkley. In American English:

sodium carbonate would be "Washing Soda [link is to product info at Amazon]"
sodium bicarbonate would be "baking soda" (as you suggested).

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

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Ed. note: For more about electrolytic cleaning of silver, please see letters: 4785, 14623, 16626, 19396, 19814, and 34314.

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