Hi all,

Had occasion to set up my electrolytic deruster again today (commonly
known as a benchtop 12V power supply, a big Rubbermaid tote, and an old
piece of sprinkler pipe bodged together with some wire and alligator
clips) and I noticed that I'd apparently used it enough that my supply
of washing soda was getting low. I don't remember where I purchased it
last time but I don't remember it being unusually hard to find. Well,
after hitting two grocery stores and several chain hardware stores, I
was starting to get a bad feeling. Arm and Hammer's web site was
useless as they don't show any local retailers to me and their "contact
us" form doesn't seem to actually work.

So I stopped by a local pool service place and the guy was happy to sell
me a quantity of soda ash but I'd have to bring my own container as they
only stock it in large bags (although depending on price I'd be happy to
buy one of those as well.)

Question is, I know that they are both ostensibly sodium carbonate. Is
there any meaningful difference in washing soda intended for use as a
detergent ingredient (in case I'd want to use it for same) and soda ash
used as a pH balancer for swimming pools, e.g. additives, allowable
levels of impurities, other? Or is it really just two different names
for the same thing?

I'm definitely going back to the pool supply but wondering if I should
get a small container or just grab a 5 gal. bucket and get a lifetime
(or at least a decade's worth) supply.

nate

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