What is the difference between sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, and bicarb soda?
They are all the same thing — three names for the identical compound, NaHCO₃. In Australia the most common everyday name is bicarb soda or bicarbonate of soda. In the United States the term baking soda is more common. Sodium bicarbonate is the chemical name. Our product is food grade, meaning it meets the purity standard required for culinary use and is also suitable for cosmetic formulation, bath bomb making, and natural cleaning applications.
What is the correct ratio of sodium bicarbonate to citric acid for bath bombs?
The standard starting ratio is 2 parts sodium bicarbonate to 1 part citric acid by weight — written as 2:1. This is the most widely used ratio in bath bomb making and produces a well-fizzing bomb with a slightly alkaline bathwater pH that is comfortable on skin. At this ratio all of the citric acid is neutralised by the bicarbonate. Some makers use a 3:2 ratio (e.g. 60g bicarb to 40g citric acid in a 100g bomb) for a slightly softer fizz and more neutral pH. Experiment to find the texture, fizz level, and skin feel that works for your recipe.
Why does my bath bomb mixture fizz prematurely when I'm making it?
Premature fizzing during bath bomb making is caused by moisture activating the acid-base reaction between sodium bicarbonate and citric acid before you want it to. Common causes include high humidity in your workspace, wet hands, adding too much liquid binder at once, or oil with water content. Work in a dry, air-conditioned space when possible, use 99% isopropyl alcohol or witch hazel as your binder (both have minimal water content), add liquids slowly and carefully, and work quickly once liquids are added.
Can I use this sodium bicarbonate for baking?
Yes — our Sodium Bicarbonate is food grade and pharmaceutical grade purity, making it fully suitable for culinary use as a leavening agent in baking. It is identical in purity and function to the sodium bicarbonate sold in supermarkets for baking, but available in larger bulk quantities at better value for households and small food businesses that use it regularly.
Is sodium bicarbonate the same as baking powder?
No. Baking powder is a mixture of sodium bicarbonate plus a dry acid (usually cream of tartar or sodium acid pyrophosphate) and a starch. It is a self-contained leavening system that activates with moisture alone. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is the pure compound alone — it requires an acid in the recipe (buttermilk, vinegar, lemon juice, citric acid) to produce CO₂ and leaven. For bath bombs you want pure sodium bicarbonate — not baking powder, which contains additional ingredients that would interfere with the formulation.
Can I use sodium bicarbonate in cold process soap making?
Sodium bicarbonate is not typically used as a direct ingredient in cold process soap recipes — it does not participate in saponification. However it has one useful application in cold process soap: a diluted spray of sodium bicarbonate solution (approximately 1 teaspoon dissolved in 250ml of water) applied to the surface of freshly poured soap can help reduce soda ash formation during the cure phase by neutralising the surface before the ash can develop. Many experienced soap makers use this technique with good results.
Is bulk sodium bicarbonate available for wholesale or business use?
Yes — we stock Sodium Bicarbonate in bulk quantities suitable for small businesses, cottage industry bath product makers, cleaning product formulators, and high-volume household users. Contact us to discuss pallet orders and commercial quantities. Fast dispatch from our Melbourne warehouse to all states across Australia.
How should I store sodium bicarbonate to prevent clumping?
Store in an airtight sealed container in a cool, dry location away from moisture, steam, and acids. Sodium bicarbonate absorbs moisture from the air and will clump if exposed to humidity. Keep it physically separated from citric acid in storage — if stored together in a humid environment, the two can slowly react even without direct mixing. If your sodium bicarbonate has developed minor lumps from moisture exposure, it is still usable — break up the lumps and sieve before use in bath bomb recipes.
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