Soda Ash shelf life

[delfury]

Hey everyone,
I was wondering about Soda Ash once it has been mixed for soaking the shirts.  I have excess left over from my last batch of shirts that I dyed.  How long will this mix last? 
Do the chemicals break down and its no longer useful or is it similar to the dyes - can last up to 3 weeks if kept in cool dry place??

I dont want to just throw it out if I can still use it for my next batch of dying.

Thanks in advance for your advice!   

[Jeau]

In my experience and with my moderate knowledge of chemistry, it should keep indefinitely.  As for the dyes though...three weeks is pushing the limit...you might want to check them on scrap fabric first (allowing it to fully react, then fully rinsing it) to make sure they haven't hydrolyzed.  You wouldn't want to ruin your project!  Have fun!   

[delfury]

Thanks for the info and the tip on the dyes.  The book I got with the (Procion MX) dyes said 3 weeks but I didn't intend to let them sit that long.  A week at most.  My plan is to do a batch of shirts every week to build up my inventory for the next faire.

[tiedyejudy]

If you have a place to keep the dyes cool, such as a spare fridge not used for food, the dyes will keep a long time.  Just remember to bring them to room temperature before dyeing, or they won't react.  I got a cheap fridge a couple of years ago, and had space in the garage to put it.  I can usually store dyes for 1-2 months in it with no color loss.  Note:  I do not mix soda ash with my dyes, so they stay dormant until I use them.
As for soda ash, I keep a bin in the garage and add to it from time to time as the supply diminishes.  It does just fine, so don't worry about chemical break-down or reaction.

Judy

[delfury]

Well with it being summer, there is no "cool" place anymore, but like I said I don't plan on letting the mixed dye sit for very long anyways.
Thanks for the great info!  I knew I'd get the answers that I needed by asking my questions here.  I googled trying to find info on the soda ash but the best I could come up with were "data sheets".

[pburch]

Some dyers warn that soda ash doesn't keep well in one-gallon plastic milk jugs: they are so thin that the soda ash ends up eating through after a few weeks. I've never had a problem with a bucket, made of thicker plastic. I cover it to keep the rain out, and add more water if there's significant evaporation. (Warning, buckets can be dangerous for toddlers.)

Paula

[delfury]

Thanks Paula.  I kinda figured that gallon "milk" type jugs might have that problem, seeing as how the soda ash mixture is under-going a chemical reaction that causes it to heat up.

I actually acquired some thicker 10 gallon buckets from a local restaurant that seems to be working just fine.  I wasnt sure about putting an air tight lid on it, again due to the chemical reaction so I have it covered with a large, folded towel. 
No toddlers in the house to worry about tho