Off-the-shelf Sodium Carbonate in USA?

[reddesert]

It is possible to punch a product name and a post/ZIP code into a search engine to see where it's sold in your area. I've done this with A&H Washing Soda and Bell's Poultry Seasoning with success, as my nearest supermarket carries neither and doesn't seem interested in starting to.

I agree that washing soda has not been seen in most US supermarkets in some time. I found borax in the laundry section of a Target a few years ago, not sure if they still carry it.

More importantly, I would like you to share which developer recipe uses Bell's Poultry Seasoning!

 

[nosmok]

I agree that washing soda has not been seen in most US supermarkets in some time. I found borax in the laundry section of a Target a few years ago, not sure if they still carry it.

More importantly, I would like you to share which developer recipe uses Bell's Poultry Seasoning!

I use the Bell's in carefully temperature controlled stand development of the film on the outside of a whole raw chicken! It's really good when it reaches halfway or a little more along the density scale (and what's inside is delicious too).

 

[chuckroast]

It is possible to punch a product name and a post/ZIP code into a search engine to see where it's sold in your area. I've done this with A&H Washing Soda and Bell's Poultry Seasoning with success, as my nearest supermarket carries neither and doesn't seem interested in starting to.

You could try https://perplexity.ai

 

[Kino]

Well, what do you know? Strolling through the grocery store in a nearby town, I found a box of Arm and Hammer Washing Powder. Claims to be 100% pure Sodium Carbonate and water... wouldn't that make it Bicarbonate?

 

[reddesert]

No. Carbonate ion is CO3--. Bicarbonate is HCO3- (this is a historical use of the "bi" prefix). Sodium carbonate anhydrous is Na2CO3, sodium carbonate monohydrate is Na2CO3 * H2O, and sodium bicarbonate is NaHCO3.

 

[PicklesFrog]

i found some washing soda in an asian super market in the cleaning section.

 

[David Lindquist]

Local Raley's supermarket in Jackson CA has Twenty Mule Team borax and Arm and Hammer washing soda. Latter described as "Sodium Carbonate and water"

And in the freezer section, Sigma-Aldrich Glycin, 100 grams for $19.95.
Joking about that last one.

David

 

[drpsilver]

05 Jun 2026

You can purchase soda ash/sodium coronate from Dhama Tasing Company in Petaluma, CA. One can buy quantities from 1 lb to 25 lb ($2 to $23, 2019 prices). They ship to anywhere in the US.

Dharma Trading Co.
1805 South Mc Dowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
ph: (707) 283-0390
web: www.dharmatrading.com

Regards,
Darwin

edit: corrected units

 

[gbroadbridge]

05 Jun 2026

You can purchase soda ash

That's a good one also for Cyanotype chems