What is Bicarbonate of Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
Bicarbonate of Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO₃) pH 8 to 9 originates from the minerals nahcolite and trona, which are refined into soda ash (a.k.a. calcium carbonate), then turned into baking soda (a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate), among other things.
Most of it comes from the United States, which contains the world’s largest trona deposit. There is no risk of depletion anytime soon:
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming alone contains 56 million tons of pure layered trona, plus 47 billion more tons mixed with other minerals. We’re only tapping trona at the rate of 15 million tons per year; the Wyoming Mining Association estimates that we have enough on hand to last more than 2,000 years.
Bicarbonate of soda is an alkaline or base substance and is very good at powering through grease and dirt, but not enough to make it corrosive. This makes it a great cleaning ingredient for all around your house.
Baking Soda’s deodorising power is a due to its ability to neutralise odours, rather than just covering them up. Most unpleasant odours come from either strong acids or strong bases. Baking Soda deodorises by bringing both acidic and basic odour molecules into a neutral, more odour-free state.
5 Ways to Use Bicarbonate of Soda for Cleaning
These are 5 of my favourite ways to use Bicarbonate of Soda for cleaning around your home.
Bath and Sink Scrub
This is great for giving your bath or sink a good deep clean.
YOU’LL NEED:
- 50g Bicarbonate of Soda
- 1 Tbsp Castile Soap
- Warm water
HOW TO:
- Combine everything together to make a soft but not too runny paste.
- Use with a non-abrasive un-sponge to clean bathroom surfaces.
- Rinse with warm water
- You can finish off with a general spray
Deodorise trainers
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda into the shoes. Shake the shoes around to distribute the powder.
Leave the bicarbonate of soda in the shoes for a few hours or overnight, this will allow the baking soda time to absorb the odours.
Shake the powder out of the shoes.
DIY air freshener
Bicarbonate of soda is well known for its ability to absorb odours naturally which makes it perfect for making a homemade DIY air freshener.
YOU’LL NEED:
- Small jar
- Bicarbonate of Soda
- 20 drops Essential Oils
- Small piece of cotton fabric
- String
HOW TO:
- Fill the glass jar about a ¾ full with bicarbonate of soda.
- Add the essential oils.
- Cover the top of the jar with fabric and fix with string.
if you have pets, be aware that not all essential oils are safe around cats and dogs.
Toilet Cleaner
Bicarbonate of Soda is a great general purpose cleaner and is perfect for cleaning the loo.
- Flush the toilet to wet the sides of the bowl, or spray with plain water.
- Sprinkle bicarb soda around the toilet bowl and leave for half an hour (or overnight is good too).
- Scrub out with your toilet brush.
For a quick loo cleaning routine check out The Perfect Simple Loo Cleaning Routine
Oven Cleaner
Cleaning the oven isn’t one of my favourite tasks but this makes it much easier.
YOU’LL NEED:
- Bowl
- 6 Tbsp Bicarbonate of Soda
- 3 Tbsp water
HOW TO:
- Mix the water and Bicarb into a paste
- Spread the mixture on the surfaces of your oven (don’t put any on the heating elements)
- Leave for at least 30 mins or overnight if possible
- Wipe clean with warm water
- To give it a bit of extra sparkle you can finish over with a wipe over with the general multi purpose vinegar spray
I hope you found these useful and can see how versatile bicarbonate of soda is to have around the house. And, if you want to know what else bicarbonate of soda can be used for check out Dri-Pak website for lots of useful information.
Bicarbonate of Soda is so useful. I have used to unblock my sink before. Thanks for the list, I shall try it on my husband’s trainers!
These are great tips! In fact I’m going to try the toilet one tonight! Ours are terrible thanks to very hard water and poor cleaning from the previous owners!
The shoes are a good idea too, my sons stink!
Citric Acid is best for removing stains and then Bicarb as a general cleaner 🙂
OMG the oven! My oven is always bad and a job I dread. This sounds like would work for me. Desperate to get it nice and clean. Some great tips.
It is a fantastic product. I’ve used it to clean our mattresses before. I’ll have to experiment and use it as a trainer deodoriser.
I sometimes use a mixture to clean my oven or my toilet but I didn’t realise you could use bicarb to make a DIY air freshener. Will definitely be giving this a go.
Its such a great little gem as there are so many uses for bicarb and we always have a stash under the sink.
Wow who knew that bicarbonate of soda could be so handy around the house. thanks for all these brilliant tips x
I have used Bi Carb soda a few times however I don’t think I have ever use it on trainers, great tip!