Soda ash has the chemical name sodium carbonate. It is also known as washing soda. Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline powder and has chemical formula is Na2CO3. Soda ash exists in mineral form as it hydrates salts and has several deposits all over the globe. Soda ash is hygroscopic solid but remains stable at room temperature. It is highly water-soluble but weakly acidic. When it is heated at a very high temperature or mixed with acids, it decomposes to emit toxic fumes of disodium oxide.