It is highly likely that you have heard of soda ash if you have ever tried tie-dying your favorite piece of cloth. Not sure what it is and what role it plays in the overall tie-dying process? Well, you must find out. Stick to this article as here we are going to guide you in detail about what is soda ash for tie-dye.

You must not associate it with baking soda because they are not the same. Before you think of anything else, let’s get straight into it and see what it actually is.

What is soda ash?

When it comes to naming it chemically, the soda ash is identified as sodium carbonate. It’s commonly found in households because of its use in the laundry. Now you may have a little idea of what it is, but you need to know a lot more about it and how it relates to tie-dye.

What soda ash has to do with tie-dye?

Soda ash is a key element used in the tie-dye process. In simpler terms, we can say that the soda ash helps the fabric in a way that it absorbs and produces brighter and more colorfast results.

Knowing the use of it, it seems like we must use it for our next project. But wait a minute, from where did you get the soda ash and how to use it with tie-dye? No fears, you are in good hands with us. Just continue reading the blog, and you will have all the answers.

How to make soda ash for tie-dye?

As easy as boiling water! Yes, we are not cracking jokes here. Most probably, you already have all the things at your home that are required to make soda ash for your upcoming tie-dye project. The only element that you need is baking soda. Don’t tell us you don’t have it in your kitchen cabinets.

So how do you prepare it with baking soda? Here is what you have to do.

To make soda ash by using the baking soda, you have to heat up the baking soda at 149°C for at least an hour. You can make this in the microwave oven for ease. Moreover, if you don’t want to dwell upon the making process, you can purchase the soda ash online or from the nearest store.

To use the soda ash properly, make sure you handle it carefully before you start. With that, we mean to use disposable gloves and a mask so that it does not affect the skin in any way. Having said that, soda ash is safe to use and does not pose any serious threat, yet it is always a good idea to follow safety protocols.

Other than that, note that soda ash does not help in tie-dye if you are doing it on synthetic fiber. It works best with cotton and is preferred for the tie-dying process.

How to use soda ash for tie-dye?

Supposing that you have made the soda ash, or you have bought it from the store, now comes the instructions for using it the right way. Typically, there are three ways you can use it. Let’s get into it one by one.

1. The first method is to use the soda ash before you actually begin the tie-dye. To do that, first prepare the solution by mixing soda ash into the water and then soak the piece of garment into it. Keep it soak for 10 minutes or a maximum of one hour, and then proceed with the dye.
2. The next method is to use soda ash during the dyeing process. In this method, you mix the soda ash with the dye directly and apply it to your fabric.
3. The other option is to use soda ash after you have dyed your clothes. For this, you add the fabric in water and soda ash solution straightaway after the dyeing process. This method is not preferred because the dye could bleed before it gets engrossed.

How much soda ash to use for tie-dye?

By now, we have prepared the soda ash. We are ready to apply it, but how much do we need to add? As it is a chemical, quantity matters a lot; more or less, it will create an impact in the end. As a rule of thumb, we prefer to use one teaspoon of soda ash for the same amount of dye powder in one cup of water. However, this may not apply in all cases, and it is best if you test and try yourself.

Conclusion

Soda ash is a chemical agent that does a great job when it comes to giving you the best effects out of the tie-dye process. Readily available at low cost, soda ash can be used to attain perfect and long-lasting tie-dye results. If you weren’t getting the desired results before, try using the soda ash and see the outcome for yourself.