What is meant by saying that washing soda has detergent properties?

Describe how washing soda is produced starting from sodium chloride(common salt). Write equations of all the reactions involved.

State whether an aqueous solution of washing soda is acidic or alkaline? Give reason for your answer.

Give two important uses of washing soda (or sodium carbonate).

What is bleaching powder? How is bleaching powder prepared? Write chemical equation of the reaction involved in the preparation of bleaching powder.