Potash vs. Soda — What's the Difference?

Potash () includes various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. The name derives from pot ash, which refers to plant ashes or wood ash soaked in water in a pot, which was the primary means of manufacturing the product before the Industrial Era.

Any of various forms of sodium carbonate.

An alkaline potassium compound, especially potassium carbonate or hydroxide.

Chemically combined sodium.

See potassium carbonate.

See carbonated water.

See potassium hydroxide.

Chiefly Northeastern US, Eastern Missouri, & Southwestern Illinois See soft drink. tonic

Any of several compounds containing potassium, especially soluble compounds such as potassium oxide, potassium chloride, and various potassium sulfates, used chiefly in fertilizers.

A refreshment made from carbonated water, ice cream, and usually a flavoring.

The water-soluble part of the ash formed by burning plant material; used for making soap and glass and as a fertilizer.

(Games) The card turned face up and discarded at the beginning of faro.

(chemistry) An impure form of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) mixed with other potassium salts.

(uncountable) Sodium bicarbonate (usually baking soda).

. Chiefly used in the names of compounds of the form "... of potash".

(uncountable) Sodium carbonate (usually washing soda).

A class of potassium minerals, of similar applicability to potassium carbonate, such as being a fertilizer. (ie. potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide)

(uncountable) Sodium in chemical combination.

To treat with potassium.

(uncountable) Carbonated water (water impregnated with pressurised carbon dioxide, originally made with sodium bicarbonate).

The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle substance, KOH, having strong caustic and alkaline properties; - hence called also caustic potash.

Any carbonated (usually sweet) soft drink.

A potassium compound often used in agriculture and industry

A glass, bottle or can of this drink.

(card games) The first card in the dealing box in the game of faro, which is discarded to leave 51 cards in play.

Sodium oxide or hydroxide.

Same as sodium, used in terms such as bicarbonate of soda.

Same as soda water.

A non-alcoholic beverage, sweetened by various means, containing flavoring and supersaturated with carbon dioxide, so as to be effervescent when the container is opened; - in different localities it is variously called also soda pop, pop, mineral water, and minerals. It has many variants. The sweetening agent may be natural, such as cane sugar or corn syrup, or artificial, such as saccharin or aspartame. The flavoring varies widely, popular variants being fruit or cola flavoring.

A sodium salt of carbonic acid; used in making soap powders and glass and paper

A sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring;