2d ago

Fabric softener is a scam

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You don't need to go up to 400°F to decompose baking soda into washing soda. Decomposition starts around 122⁰F (50⁰C) and is complete at around 250⁰F (120⁰C)
Depending on the thickness you put in the pan you may want to put the oven around 300⁰F so to speed up the process.
You can safely go to higher temperature as it won't ever be overcooked.
::: spoiler details https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate
Heating to transform (baking soda) sodium bicarbonate into (washing soda) sodium carbonate does remove moisture but also removes carbon dioxide :
When sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) is heated, it undergoes a decomposition reaction to form sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
The reaction can be represented as :
2NaHCO₃ + heat → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂
:::
- You can also do it in a pan on the stove top. Basically just heat up the baking soda over medium-ish heat. Once it gets hot enough, it'll "bubble" as the carbon dioxide and water is driven off as gas. Once it stops "bubbling", it's done. It's a bit faster than the oven method, but it's more active since you have to stir it regularly.
  You can also weigh the powder before and after heating it to see if it's fully converted* to washing soda. The resulting washing soda should weigh about 1/3 less than the starting amount of baking soda.
- I also wonder about the cost of using the oven, and whether it's cheaper than just buying washing soda.
  
  P = = oven average power ~1kW=1/1000MW
  C = = electricity cost ~50 to 200 $/MWh
  Δt = = process time duration ~1.0h
  Total = P x C x Δt
  ... so, a few cents maximum, right ?
  ... it's more the time and effort you put in !
  
  When you put it that way, it's not nearly as expensive as I thought.

378 comments