Bicarbonate of soda, also known as 'baking soda', should be in every house. It is very versatile, and can be used in baking as a leavening agent, as well as for cleaning and odor removal. It acts as an antacid for heartburn, soothes skin irritations (insect bites/sunburn), scrubs surfaces and unblocks drains. It also freshens refrigerators and laundry. For specific recipes, see below. This bicarbonate of soda is food grade and packaged in a biodegradable ziploc bag - feel free to rinse and re-use the bag.

Helpful recipes with baking soda (taken from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/baking-soda-benefits-uses#household-uses):

1. Mouthwash

Baking soda may freshen your breath by increasing the pH levels of saliva, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth. Make your own baking soda mouthwash: Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of baking soda to half a glass (125 ml) of warm water, mix to dissolve and swish as you would do with any other mouthwash.

2. Odor neutraliser

For a smelly fridge: Fill a cup or small bowl with baking soda and place it in the back of your fridge.

As an air freshener: Place 1/3 cup (74 g) of baking soda in a small glass jar. Add 10 – 15 drops of an essential oil of choice and stir or shake gently. Cover the jar with a small piece of cloth and secure with a ribbon or elastic band. Place it in whichever room you want. Give the jar a shake when the scent starts fading. Note that commercial air fresheners often release industrial chemicals into the air. This baking soda recipe is a much safer alternative.

3. Whitening agent for laundry

Baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten and clean your laundry. As an alkali — a soluble salt — it can help remove dirt and stains by interacting with acids in stains when dissolved in water. Add ½ cup (110 g) of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, so you may need less detergent than usual.

4. Kitchen and bathroom cleaner

Baking soda mixed with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar may help control the growth of mold and bacteria. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of lemon juice or vinegar and a bit of water. Apply the paste to the relevant surface and scrub thoroughly using a sponge or cloth. Because it is edible, you may use it in ovens and microwave ovens, stained coffee cups, on kitchen tiles, tarnished silverware, countertops and in clogged drains. Use it in a similar way to clean bathroom tiles and showers.

5. Carpet stain remover

A combination of baking soda and vinegar may help remove carpet stains. Mixing baking soda and vinegar creates a lot of fizzing, which may help break down tough stains. Here’s how to remove carpet stains: Cover the carpet stain with a thin layer of baking soda. Fill an empty spray bottle with a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water and spray it over the baking soda layer. Wait until the surface dries. Scrub the baking soda loose with a brush and vacuum the residue. If there’s some baking soda residue left on the carpet, wipe it up with a damp towel.

6. Pesticide remover for fruits and veggies

A baking soda wash is a very effective way to remove pesticides from fruits and veggies without peeling them. It was found that, soaking apples in a solution of baking soda and water for 12 – 15 minutes, removed nearly all of the pesticide residue. However, pesticides that have penetrated the fruit or veggie skin will not be removed.

7. Burnt pot cleaner

To clean a scorched pot, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the pot. Add enough water to cover the burnt areas and place the pot on the stove-top. Bring the mixture to a boil and empty the pan as usual. If the pot is still not clean enough, add a little bit of dishwashing liquid to the pot and gently scrub to clean.

8. Shoe deodoriser

Freshen up smelly shoes as follows: Add 2 tablespoons (9 g) of baking soda into 2 cheese cloths or thin pieces of fabric. Secure the cloths with a rubber band or string and place one in each shoe. Remove the baking soda bags when you want to wear your shoes.

9. May help treat heartburn

Baking soda water may help relieve heartburn by neutralising stomach acid. To try it, dissolve 1 teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly. However, it’s important to note that consuming high amounts of baking soda may lead to several side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle pain and restlessness. Continued use may also lead to metabolic alkalosis — a condition in which your blood becomes overly alkaline — and heart problems. Speak with a doctor before trying baking soda for heartburn, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

10. May relieve itchy skin and sunburns

A baking soda bath may help soothe dry, itchy and scaly skin that could be related to bug bites, sunburn or skin conditions like psoriasis. To make a baking soda bath, add 1 to 2 cups (220 to 440 g) of baking soda to a lukewarm bath. Make sure the affected area is soaked thoroughly. For specific areas, create a paste with baking soda and a bit of water, then apply a thick layer to the affected area.

Ingredients: Food-grade bicarbonate of soda.