Bicarb Soda (Natural Sodium Bicarbonate)

Bicarb soda is sodium bicarbonate – a mildly alkaline mineral compound with a pH of around 8. It’s part of the same natural mineral family as washing soda (sodium carbonate) and borax (sodium borate), but it’s the gentlest of the bunch. That makes it perfect when you need something more mild.

In cleaning, bicarb works in a few clever ways. Its alkaline pH helps neutralise acids and odours, making it ideal for deodorising bins, fridges, and even carpet smells. It also acts as a mild abrasive, giving your pastes a bit of scrubbing power without damaging delicate surfaces like ceramic, stainless steel, or tile grout.

When it’s used alongside an acid (like citric), you get that familiar fizzing reaction – great for bath bombs or toilet fizzers, not so great for actual cleaning (we’ll get to that myth later).

Chemically speaking, it breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, and sodium carbonate – all of which are safe, biodegradable byproducts. That’s why it’s been trusted for generations in everything from baking to baby care to low-tox cleaning.

Besides baking cakes and treats (yes, it’s the same food-grade stuff), bicarb plays a quiet but essential role in loads of DIY cleaning recipes. You’ll find it in recipes like:

• Toilet bombs and shower steamers – where it reacts with citric acid to release fragrance and clean the bowl
• Natural carpet freshener – sprinkled with essential oils to lift odours from fibres
• Scouring pastes – adds body, bulk, and cleaning boost
• DIY bin powder and fridge fresheners – for absorbing smells and moisture

It’s also handy for soaking up spills (especially oil), freshening shoes, and making fizzing fun for kids bath tme. Small but mighty, and always ready when needed.

My bicarb is naturally mined in the USA, then refined to a USP (food) grade standard – though I only sell it for cleaning. It’s fragrance-free, biodegradable, low-tox, and comes in a compostable brown paper bag. Safe for you, your family, and your drains.

• Store in an airtight container – it clumps quickly if exposed to air.
• Avoid inhaling large amounts of powder

Let’s clear this up: bicarb and vinegar are not a cleaning duo. Yes, they fizz. Yes, it looks fun. But what you’re seeing is a neutralisation reaction that turns both ingredients into salt water. You’re cancelling out the cleaning power of each. Use them separately – bicarb for deodorising or scrubbing, vinegar for cutting grease or limescale.

The only time I mix an acid with an alkali is in toilet bombs, where the fizz helps disperse fragrance – not clean.