Bicarb – Useful, Gentle, and Often Misunderstood
Bicarb soda is probably the most familiar green cleaning ingredient out there. Most people already have it in the cupboard, and many are using it regularly.
The issue isn’t that bicarb doesn’t work. It’s that it’s often expected to do far more than it was ever designed to do.
Once you understand what bicarb is actually good at, it becomes a reliable, sensible part of your cleaning routine instead of a frustrating one.
What is bicarb?
Bicarb soda is also known as baking soda or sodium bicarbonate. All three names refer to the same ingredient.
It’s a naturally occurring mineral compound with a mild alkaline pH of around 8. Compared to other DIY cleaning ingredients, bicarb is very gentle.
That gentleness is its strength.
Why bicarb is so commonly used
Bicarb works well for jobs where you need neutralising rather than stripping or cutting.
It’s especially good at:
- absorbing and neutralising odours
- soaking up moisture
- providing very mild abrasion
- supporting deodorising recipes
This is why it’s often used for bins, fridges, shoes, carpets, and light scrubbing where you don’t want to damage surfaces.
Where bicarb falls short
Because bicarb is mild, it has limits.
It’s not designed to:
- cut heavy grease
- replace proper laundry or dishwashing products
- disinfect surfaces
- deal with deep grime or build-up
When bicarb is asked to do these jobs, people often assume green cleaning doesn’t work. In reality, the wrong ingredient is being used for the task.
Bicarb compared to other DIY ingredients
Bicarb sits at the gentle end of the DIY cleaning spectrum.
Borax is stronger and better suited to laundry and deodorising where a bit more power is needed. Washing soda is stronger again and used for heavy grease and build-up.
Each ingredient has a role. Bicarb’s role is not to be the strongest. It’s to be the safest and most forgiving.
The bicarb and vinegar myth
One of the most common green cleaning habits is mixing bicarb and vinegar together.
The fizz looks impressive, which makes it feel like something powerful is happening. What’s actually happening is a neutralisation reaction. The acid in the vinegar cancels out the alkalinity of the bicarb.
Once the fizz settles, there’s very little cleaning power left.
This doesn’t mean either ingredient is useless. It just means they work better on their own, for different jobs.
Bicarb is useful for deodorising and gentle scrubbing. Vinegar is useful for descaling and dealing with mineral residue. Mixing them together takes away what makes each one effective.
When bicarb really shines
Bicarb is at its best when it’s used with intention.
It’s ideal for:
- freshening bins and fridges
- deodorising carpets and soft furnishings
- soaking up spills
- gentle scrubbing without scratching
- adding body and mild abrasion to cleaning pastes
Used this way, it’s simple, predictable, and effective.
A note on sourcing and eco credentials
Bicarb can be produced synthetically or mined naturally from ancient dried lake beds. Naturally mined bicarb is refined without heavy chemical processing and is biodegradable, low-tox, and safe for household drains when used for cleaning.
Its versatility also means fewer products are needed overall, which reduces packaging and clutter.