What is Baking Soda?

Baking Soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a naturally occurring mineral salt compound. It is one of the most versatile ingredients you can have at home and has been used for generations in the kitchen, for homemade cleaning products and in homemade personal care. The INCI is Sodium Bicarbonate.

Baking Soda is a white, fine powder that dissolves in water and has a slightly alkaline pH, around 8 to 9. Due to this alkaline action, it neutralizes acidic odors and helps raise the pH of acidic mixtures. An indispensable ingredient for those who experiment with DIY cosmetics, bath bombs, deodorant or natural cleaning products.

Benefits of Baking Soda

Neutralizes odors
Baking Soda reacts with acidic odor molecules and neutralizes them. This is why it is so popular in homemade deodorants and why it keeps air fresh in an open jar in the refrigerator.

Versatile in DIY
One of the most used ingredients in DIY cosmetics. For bath bombs, deodorants, scrubs, toothpaste, shower fizzies and as a pH adjuster in aqueous formulas.

Absorbs moisture
The fine powder structure absorbs moisture and provides a dry feeling. This makes Baking Soda nice in homemade deodorants and foot powders.

Adjusts pH
In water-based DIY formulas you can use Baking Soda to adjust the pH of an acidic mixture upward. Ideal when working with fruit acids or when you want to activate a natural preservative combination that requires a specific pH.

100 percent natural
Our Baking Soda is a natural mineral salt compound, without additives.

How to use Baking Soda?

In a bath bomb
Combine Baking Soda with citric acid and optionally a little Carrier Oil and Essential Oil. The classic ratio for a well-fizzing ball is 2 parts Baking Soda to 1 part citric acid (for example 200 grams Baking Soda and 100 grams citric acid).

In a DIY deodorant
Baking Soda is a popular ingredient in homemade deodorants because of its odor-neutralizing action. Combine with arrowroot powder or cornstarch, a butter or oil as base and optionally a wax. Working dosage of Baking Soda is usually between 10 and 25 percent.

In a face or body scrub
Add a small amount of Baking Soda to a DIY scrub for a light cleansing effect. Due to the fine crystals, it also works as a mild exfoliant.

As pH adjuster in DIY formulas
Make a solution of 10 percent Baking Soda in water (10 grams in 90 grams water) and add drop by drop to your DIY cream or gel until the desired pH is reached. The ideal skin pH is around 5.5, so adjust carefully and in small amounts and check with pH strips.

In household use
Baking Soda is excellent for degreasing pans, surfaces and for removing odors from the garbage bin or refrigerator. Do not use on aluminum surfaces, as this can cause corrosion.

In a mouthwash or toothpaste
A small amount of Baking Soda can be incorporated into homemade toothpaste for a fresh mouth feeling. Note: with placed retainers after braces, Baking Soda can affect the adhesive.

Tips when using Baking Soda

• Store Baking Soda in a dry place, away from moisture. In well-sealed packaging it keeps for years.
• Always work with grams and percentages for accurate results in DIY formulas.
• Do not use on aluminum surfaces.
• For bath bombs: make sure all your ingredients are dry before mixing them, because the reaction between Baking Soda and citric acid starts as soon as moisture is added.

Points of attention

Baking Soda is alkaline while the skin is naturally slightly acidic. In some people, prolonged or frequent use on sensitive areas such as the armpits can cause some irritation. When in doubt or with sensitive skin, first test on a small piece of skin and adjust the dosage in DIY formulas based on what your skin finds comfortable.

Keep out of reach of children.