– by thespruce
Cleaning Uses
Very alkaline in nature with a high pH, baking soda is one of the top eco-friendly cleaning ingredients and is used in several cleaning products, especially green cleaning ones. You can find it in laundry detergents, cleansers, mold control products, cleansers, carpet fresheners and cleaners, dishwashing soaps, automatic dishwasher detergents, air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, floor cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, and stain removers.
It is known for its fantastic deodorizing, whitening, brightening, cleaning, and gentle scrubbing abilities. Due to its powder form, it is also great at absorbing grease and spills. In addition, it has bactericidal and stain removing abilities as shown in one dental care study published in the “Journal of Periodontology” and another in the “Journal of Clinical Dentistry,” respectively. If it can work on your teeth, it definitely will work on other surfaces, too. You can also mix up your own green cleaning creations with it.
Other Uses
In addition to its use in cleaning products, baking soda can be found in several products, such as personal care products (e.g., bath products, toothpaste, deodorants, cleansers, soap), drugs (e.g., skin treatments), baked goods, and cat litter. Baking soda is also taken for heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach resulting from such problems. In addition, you can use it to adjust the pH of your swimming pool.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), baking soda is also considered a biopesticide, which are pesticides derived from certain kinds of natural materials.
Regulation
When baking soda is used in personal care products, food, or drugs it is monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For other uses, such as pesticides and cleaning products, it is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Health and Safety
Unlike some other chemicals used in cleaning products, baking soda is a pretty safe chemical. You can even take it internally as an antacid as noted on the Arm & Hammer baking soda box. However, the directions warn that the baking soda should be completely dissolved in water first and not taken when you are full.
Warning
The only real safety concern with baking soda is that it can cause eye irritation and redness according to the International Chemical Safety Card. Flushing the eyes with water for several minutes and then seeing a doctor is recommended if it gets in your eyes. Other than that, baking soda is very safe.
Environmental Effects
No data shows baking soda to have negative environmental effects. However, it is indeed mined from a material called trona, which is found in Wyoming, and then processed into baking soda. A secondhand environment impact is its carbon footprint from mining and processing it.