Sodium Acetate ~ Used to turn Ferrous Sulfate into Ferrous Acetate; used in the Mordanting Recipe for Cotton and Linen without Tannin (see below)
Sodium acetate, NaCH₃COO, also abbreviated NaOAc, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. We use Sodium Acetate to turn Iron into an easier digestible version of itself, Iron acetate. Similar to 'Iron Water' but you can control the amounts. Iron acetate is not as harsh on the fibres and can be easier digested by nature or your septic tank when turned into rust. Once made, it has no shelf life and needs to be used immediately.
For mordanting Cellulose fibres, please choose one of the following recipes on our blog:
How to mordant linen and cotton fabrics successfully – AppleOak FibreWorks
How to mordant Linen and Cotton successfully without Tannins – AppleOak FibreWorks
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Basic recipe:
1part Ferrous Sulfate
1part Sodium Acetate
Mix and dissolve in Water. I find that it makes the iron stronger and we only use 1% of Iron acetate on most recipes. Warm water will also intensify the reaction.
