Washing Soda v. Baking Soda

[GregC]

My LMF brown soloution says to use "washing soda" to stop the rust. I bought a box today and it says "contains sodium bicarbonate" - when I compared it to a box of baking soda, I found that baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.

So, what is the difference between washing soda and baking soda?

Is there a differenc at all?

 

[Black Hand]

Sodium bicarb is sodium bicarb. My guess is that washing soda may have additives, but its' just a guess. Baking soda is all I use to neutralize the cold brown solution, easy to get and cheap. I make a thick paste with some water and rub it on in several applications with a paper towel. Stick the parts in the tub and rinse with hot water (don't soak). Dry with paper towel and while warm I coat the parts with deer tallow (first deer I shot with a smoothbore I built, Good JuJu) and let them sit overnight.
Black Hand

 

[Birddog6]

From what I understand, Baking Soda is food grade (injestable) & supposedly bagged & stored more carefully and inspected differently than washing soda. But basically they are the same thing.

:thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

My LMF brown soloution says to use "washing soda" to stop the rust. I bought a box today and it says "contains sodium bicarbonate" - when I compared it to a box of baking soda, I found that baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.

So, what is the difference between washing soda and baking soda?

Is there a differenc at all?

PER GOOGLE: Washing Soda: All-Purpose Cleaner
A chemical neighbor of baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more strongly alkaline, with a pH around 11.

 

[11th corps]

I have something at home called 20 mule team borax natural laundry booster. Is this washing soda?

 

[GregC]

I guess it probably is. The arm and hammer washing soda that I bought was on the shelf right next to the Borax. Both boxes said "laundry booster" on the box.

 

[11th corps]

Widowbender
What are you browning? I am browning the barrel on my T.O.W. trade gun. How are you browning the small parts (trigger guard etc.)?

 

[GregC]

I am browning a Tulle Fusil barrel.

The small parts I did not brown. I tried the screws but it was tough using the LMF. Instead I got some Birchwood Casey Super Blue and Blued the lock and screws. After bluing I rubbed most of the blue off with steel wool. It gave it a nice patina finish .... sort of a grey color with dark spots in it.

 

[BillinOregon]

Yep, two different critters that you don't want to get mixed up. Washing soda is often used to attack plant and wood fibers and break them down preparatory to using them in papermaking. It is strongly alkaline and you sure don't want to ingest the stuff.

 

[flashpanner]

And how do you guys feel about dryer sheets?? Are we doing laundry here? :crackup:

 

[MikeChapin]

The Sodium Carbonate in washing soda will neutralize more acid per weight than Sodium Bicarbonate. That is about the only difference. If you don't have any washing soda use bicarb. With the amount of acid left on a barrel you probably will not see much difference between the two.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Always add an anti-stat sheet when you toss your pistols in the dryer. :crackup: :crackup:

 

[dlemaster]

Will dryer lint plug the touch hole??
If I put my .50 cal pistol in the dryer will it come out .36 cal? I don't have a .36 mould! :crackup:

Regards, Dave

 

[mattacton]

I have something at home called 20 mule team borax natural laundry booster. Is this washing soda?

No, it isn't Borax is generic term for various sodium borate compounds, each of which are effective as a laundry booster or a additive in making fiberglass

Sodium carbonate (or bicarbonate) is a different compound entirely. If you need a good neutralizer, use the sodium (bi)carbonate. It's great at neutralizing pH, better than the borax for your use.

If you need the washing soda/sodium carbonate, look again in the grocery aisle, or I'd check a hardware store - you never know what Ace or True Value might stock.

 

[CrackStock]

I had a gunbuilder tell me that washing soda is a good wash to prep a stock before using aquafortis. He says that it removes all oils from your handling while working which cause the cells to fail to react to the reagent.

Worth a try -- if I can ever find the washing soda. I have been looking for months and cannot find it anywhere.

CS