Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsArrives smelling like rubber!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2019
UPDATE: This same seller (Quality Producer Direct) sells baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) under a different label (Pure Organic) -- I think it is actually the same manufacturer under yet *another* different brand name -- and that product is packaged in a metallized resealable zipper bag. In this case, the bag is kraft paper on the outside, and a metal aluminized foil on the inside, with a ziploc-style opening, which reseals well. Now THAT product I recommend! The metallized foil and zipper (when properly closed) have kept out all smells that might get absorbed without imbuing any of their own and the baking soda arrived perfectly pure and scentless -- and it has so far stayed that way. (I've decanted some for storage in a sealed mason jar, just in case of future packaging failure.) You can get that product in various sizes; the 5lb. bag is available here: https://smile.amazon.com/Bicarbonate-Pure-Organic-Ingredients-Eco-Friendly/dp/B076KSBF69/ . The following review still staunchly applies to this listing (in the sealed gasketed bucket) and the other product it links/mentions, though!
I purchased this sealed bucket of baking soda (10 lb., 1 gallon size) expressly because I wanted baking soda that was not pre-adsorbed with ambient odors. Too often have I purchased a box or bag of baking soda, only to open it and find that the powder inside arrives smelling like laundry detergent, spices, cleaning chemicals, and so on. Since I am using baking soda in large part to adsorb smells, and I also have severe chemical sensitivities, I need baking soda that arrives truly unscented. My hope was that this sealed HDPE bucket would do the trick.
Unfortunately, no. Some HDPE lids have a built-in inert gasket material -- almost like a band of caulk -- that seals them. This is not the case here. Instead, the manufacturers chose to use a lid with a separate rubber gasket. This gasket smells strongly of rubber -- and as a result, the baking soda with which it was sealed *also* smells strongly of rubber. It's possible that I could remove this gasket, but the damage is already done -- the baking soda is contaminated with off-gassed rubber VOCs.
Baking soda that arrives smelling noticeably like tires, to me, defeats the purpose of the extra expense of a sealed bucket. I cannot recommend this product. I would also suggest avoiding the similarly-packaged 10 lb. bucket of baking soda labeled with the "Earthborn Elements" brand, as the manufacturer's address and seller are the same, and the packaging appears to be identical. For reference, here is a link to that product: https://www.amazon.com/Earthborn-Elements-All-Natural-Pharmaceutical-Deodorizing/dp/B07BNXB9X9
Very disappointing.
