Different grades of bicarbonate of soda?

[WelshMoth]

I bought 2 boxes of bicarbonate of soda from Home Bargains - I make my own carpet freshener. I thought I’d top up my cooking bicarbonate of soda pot whilst I was decanting, but this stuff is quite grainy - there’s same texture as salt and not the usual soft powder texture.

What have I bought? Is bicarbonate of soda sold in different textures?!

Have you bought soda crystals rather than bicarbonate of soda?

A pestle and mortar would probably sort the texture. I don't know but I would guess there might be food grade bicarb and industrial grade. Could it be industrial grade and not passed fit from human consumption?

Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda):

• Chemical Name: Sodium bicarbonate.
• Primary Use: Baking, also used for cleaning and deodorizing.
• Texture: A fine, powdery substance.
• Effectiveness: Mild alkali, less effective for breaking down grease compared to soda crystals.

Soda Crystals (Washing Soda):

• Chemical Name: Sodium carbonate.
• Primary Use: Cleaning, laundry, water softening.
• Texture: Granular, with larger particles than bicarbonate of soda.
• Effectiveness: Stronger alkali, effective at dissolving grease and cleaning, says Good Housekeeping.
• Note: Soda crystals are not safe for use on aluminum.

In essence: Bicarbonate of soda is a general-purpose household product with a mild alkali effect, while soda crystals are a stronger alkali specifically designed for cleaning and laundry applications.

my Understanding is there is food grade and cleaning grade BoS
Dont eat it

There is a risk that cleaning grade has traces of other chemicals or is even mixed with other things to give it a different texture.

The Home Bargains bicarb of soda is definitely not food grade. There's usually a warning on the box somewhere.

Thanks everyone. I’ve been buying it for years in larger sizes - never realised that there were cleaning grades only.