Chemical substitution

[ronlamarsh]

Is there an emergency substitute for sodium carbonate that is a common household item ie baking soda?

 

[ann]

washing soda,
you can use arm & hammer washing soda

 

[phfitz]

You can 'pan fry' baking soda in a sauce pan, with the lid on, at med. temp to make dehydrated sodium carbonate. It will fell really light when swirling it around in the pan while it's out-gassing then it will feel like sand when it's done. Let it cool down with the lid on and store it in a zip-lock bag to keep it dry. Sound silly, works well.

 

[Maine-iac]

Is there an emergency substitute for sodium carbonate that is a common household item ie baking soda?

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and pH Plus (swimming pool stores) are not substitutes for sodium carbonate; they ARE sodium carbonate. Both are much cheaper than the stuff you buy from chemical supply houses, and both work just fine in any photographic formula that calls for them.

Larry

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

There is a molecular difference between sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). As to whether it matters in this application, I don't know, but as pointed above, heat can transform bicarbonate into carbonate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_Bicarbonate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_Carbonate

 

[juan]

I agree on the Arm & Hammer washing soda - I've used it for about three years. I buy it at my local supermarket.
juan

 

[dancqu]

There is a molecular difference between sodium carbonate
(Na2CO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). As to whether
it matters in this application, I don't know, but as pointed
above, heat can transform bicarbonate into carbonate.

The bicarbonate is an acid salt of carbonic acid;
it retains an H. The carbonate is the normal salt of
carbonic acid. As might be expected the acid salt,
although alkaline, is not so much so as the
normal salt. They are not interchangeable.

Place a teaspoon of bicarbonate in hot water then
bring the solution to a boil. When the effervescence
has ceased the carbonate remains. Dan