Is Baking Soda The Same As Bicarbonate of Soda?

Wondering if baking soda is the same as bicarbonate of soda, or if it’s something else entirely? Here’s all you need to know.

There are so many reasons people become interested in green cleaning. For some, it’s about cutting down on harsh chemicals, especially if your skin or lungs are easily irritated.

For others, it’s the cost, the packaging waste, or simply wanting fewer bottles under the sink. Often it’s a mix of all of those things.

Making your own natural cleaning products can feel empowering, but it can also feel a little daunting when unfamiliar ingredients start cropping up online or in books. Particularly when you see either bicarbonate of soda or baking soda as a key ingredient.

If you have spent some time wondering what these are, and if they are the same thing or not, then don’t worry. I have all the answers for you.

Is Baking Soda The Same As Bicarbonate of Soda?

Baking soda is exactly the same as bicarbonate of soda. It’s just a different name for sodium bicarbonate that is used in different parts of the world.

Baking soda is the American term for bicarbonate of soda. Meanwhile, people in the UK and Australia tend to refer to baking soda as bicarbonate of soda. This is often shortened to bicarb.

In practical terms, this means that if you’re following an American green cleaning recipe and it calls for baking soda, you can confidently use bicarbonate of soda. You’ll get the exact same result – it’s the exact same fine white powder, with the exact same mild abrasive qualities and odour-absorbing abilities.

What About Baking Powder?

Baking powder is where things start to sound similar but behave very differently.

Baking powder is not the same as bicarbonate of soda/baking soda. Baking powder is a mix of bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and cornflour that is used in baking. Because of those extra ingredients, baking powder doesn’t work as a cleaning agent.

Whilst baking powder does contain bicarbonate of soda, it is the presence of these other ingredients that render baking powder completely ineffective at cleaning as soon as you add water. This is because, when water is added, the chemical reaction that helps cakes rise is triggered, and there’s no cleaning power left to speak of.

It’s an incredibly common mistake to make as the name is so similar. It’s also really easy to accidentally grab baking powder when you are rooting around in your kitchen cupboard.

Don’t worry, it’s not a disaster if you’ve used baking powder instead of bicarb to clean with. Nothing bad is going to happen, it just won’t be as effective if you have used actual bicarb!

See my full post on can you clean with baking powder for the full explanation, if you would like to know more.

What About Washing Soda – Is That The Same As Bicarbonate Of Soda?

Washing soda causes even more confusion, mostly because it’s also a white powder and is also used for cleaning. As such, lots of people wonder if you can swap the bicarb for washing soda, particularly when they’ve run out of bicarb.

It doesn’t help that the chemical name of soda crystals is sodium carbonate. This is very similar to the chemical name of bicarbonate of soda, which is sodium bicarbonate.

The names may be similar. The powders may look alike. And they sometimes come in similar boxes. I can see why people assume they’re interchangeable. However, washing soda is not the same as baking soda/bicarbonate of soda. Washing soda is the US English term for what we in the UK call soda crystals.

Soda crystals are much more alkaline and far stronger than bicarb. That makes soda crystals great at tackling grease and heavy stains – something that bicarb isn’t so good at. In fact, here are 15 uses for soda crystals to help get you started.

It’s also very important to note that you should never put washing soda/soda crystals in your food. Despite the similar name and appearance, washing soda/soda crystals have a different chemical composition than bicarbonate of soda, and can be harmful to your health if consumed.

A Quick Recap

For a quick recap:

• Baking soda IS the same as bicarbonate of soda.
• Washing soda is NOT the same as baking soda/bicarbonate of soda.
• Baking powder is NOT the same as baking soda/bicarbonate of soda – keep it for baking with.

Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right ingredient to clean with.

Bicarbonate of soda is gentle enough to be used in cooking, deodorising and everyday cleaning. Soda crystals are more of a heavy-duty cleaner. I find that once you’ve got that straight, following any green cleaning recipe becomes far less intimidating.

How To Use Bicarbonate of Soda In Your Cleaning Routine

Bicarbonate of soda is a great ingredient to have to hand because it’s simple, affordable and versatile. It has great scouring and natural deodorising properties. And when it comes to your laundry, it can help keep your white clothing whiter for longer. It also keeps for ages, which means less waste and fewer last-minute shopping trips.

Here are a few ways to use it around your home:

• To help deodorise a stinky fridge, simply add some bicarbonate of soda to a bowl. Place the bowl in the fridge to help neutralise bad odours. For best effects, mix it every week, and replace the bicarbonate of soda every 3 months.
• Add a scoop to your laundry (around one tablespoon) to help keep whites white. For best results, pop it in the laundry detergent drawer alongside your laundry powder, or add it directly to your drum. It works without any optical brighteners or synthetic fragrances found in many conventional products, making it a good choice for people with sensitive skin.

Want to know more? Here’s almost everything you could ever need to know about cleaning with bicarbonate of soda, including more ways to clean with it.

More Green Cleaning Resources

For more green cleaning recipes (written in British English, with British measurements), then check out my guide to natural cleaning products to DIY. It’s packed full of natural cleaning recipes, tips for beginners, and information on ingredients, to help demystify the world of green cleaning.

And if you’d prefer a quick introduction to the world of green cleaning, try my post on easy green cleaning tips for beginners. It contains everything you need to know to dip your toes into the world of natural cleaning!