Abstract: An aqueous neutral to mildly alkaline metal bicarbonate solution is disclosed. The solution comprises metal bicarbonate dissolved in the solution, the metal bicarbonate comprising bicarbonate anions and metal cations. In addition there is a pH adjusting agent in the solution in an amount whereby the solution is at a neutral to mildly alkaline pH. Also disclosed is a process of preparing an aqueous neutral to mildly alkaline metal bicarbonate solution comprising bicarbonate anions and metal cations. The process comprises reacting a compound selected from the group consisting of metal carbonate, metal carbonate hydroxide, metal oxide, metal hydroxide and any mixture thereof with an effective concentration of a pH adjusting agent to produce the aqueous neutral to mildly alkaline metal bicarbonate solution, wherein the pH adjusting agent is present in an amount whereby the solution is at a neutral to mildly alkaline pH.