What is bicarbonate?
Bicarbonate is made from limestone and saltwater. Its chemical formula is NaHCO₃, and its proper name is sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate. Bicarbonate is one of the sodium salts of carbonic acid. When bicarbonate comes into contact with water, it breaks down into sodium carbonate (soda, Na₂CO₃) and carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
What can bicarbonate be used for?
Bicarbonate can be used to make bath bombs, scrubs, and so-called "no 'poo" shampooing. No 'poo is short for "no shampoo": Wet your hair and massage 1-3 teaspoons of bicarbonate mixed with a small amount of water into your scalp. Let it sit for a minute and then rinse with water. The final rinse water should be one litre of water mixed with half a decilitre of apple cider vinegar and possibly a few drops of essential oil. Perform the no 'poo wash weekly. Bicarbonate can also be used in bath bombs, toothpaste, deodorant, foot baths, and salt scrubs.
Salt scrub with bicarbonate
Create a simple salt scrub by mixing 1 part sea salt (lightly crushed) with 1 part bicarbonate and a few drops of essential oil. Gently scrub moist skin in a circular motion.
Unclogging drains with bicarbonate
Clogged drains can be remedied with this eco-friendly and inexpensive method. Pour 1 decilitre of bicarbonate and the same amount of salt into the sink or shower drain. Pour 1 decilitre of vinegar onto the bicarbonate. It will fizz. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then pour in 2 litres of boiling water. Repeat if necessary.
Going away? Prevent bad odours with bicarbonate
If a drain will not be used for a while, you can pour bicarbonate into it. When you return, rinse thoroughly.
Fresh and eco-friendly odour control in the litter box with bicarbonate
Sprinkle a little bicarbonate into the litter box to counteract bad or stale odours.
Pleasant scent in the bathroom with bicarbonate
Mix a few drops of essential oil with bicarbonate and place it in a small bowl in the bathroom.
Fresh scent in the fridge with bicarbonate
Place a bowl with 2 decilitres of bicarbonate in the fridge. Stir occasionally and replace the bicarbonate if the odour returns. For a fresh scent, add a few drops of lemon essential oil.
Clean the freezer and fridge with bicarbonate
Sprinkle some bicarbonate onto a damp cloth and wipe down a defrosted freezer or fridge.
Clean the oven with bicarbonate
Make a paste of bicarbonate and water. Scrub the oven with the paste and then wipe it clean with a cloth.
Shiny clean thermos with bicarbonate
Pour a few tablespoons of bicarbonate into the thermos and fill with boiling water. Shake well and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse with water.
Clean carpets or mattresses with bicarbonate
Since bicarbonate removes bad odours, you can create an eco-friendly carpet cleaner. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet and shake it out. Sprinkle bicarbonate over the carpet or mattress. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum up the bicarbonate.
Restore yellowed plastic to white with bicarbonate
Mix 1 decilitre of bicarbonate into 4 decilitres of warm water. Wash the plastic with the solution and let it dry on the surface for about 20 minutes. Wipe the solution off with a warm cloth. Repeat if necessary.
Bicarbonate in skincare
Crearome's bicarbonate is approved for use in organic cosmetics, natural cosmetics, and skin and hair products certified by NATRUE and BDIH (COSMOS).
Bicarbonate is biodegradable
Crearome's bicarbonate is biodegradable and approved by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation as an eco-friendly choice. It is also approved as a KRAV-certified acid/base/salt.