Purposes of Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical that is acombination of one atom of sodium and two atoms of carbon. It is a very stable compound and is nonlethal. This has caused it to become useful in many capacities to people. The uses of sodium bicarbonate are many and they range from personal use to commercial work.

Cooking

• Sodium bicarbonate can be used in cooking, particularly in baking. It is used to help dough rise when it is cooking. It does this by releasing the carbon dioxide in the dough. There are some food compounds that can induce this reaction, due to having sodium bicarbonate. These include cream of tartar, lemon juice, yogurt, buttermilk, cocoa and vinegar. Baking powder itself has a high amount of sodium bicarbonate, but if you cannot find sodium bicarbonate, you can always use one of these other options. However, baking powder will leave no taste, so it may be preferable.

Medical Uses

• Sodium bicarbonate is used for a variety of medical purposes. It can be taken to treat acid indigestion and heartburn. It can be found in many antacid products. Simply take it orally and it can help calm your stomach. Sometimes sodium bicarbonate will be used intravenously to help treat acidosis. It is also used intravenously to treat hyperkalemia, and to treat overdoses of aspirin. The reason it helps with aspirin overdose is because it creates an alkaloid environment in your stomach, while aspirin needs an acidic environment to work. It's been used to treat bug bites as a paste. However, there are some adverse reactions to sodium bicarbonate, including metabolic alkalosis edema, congestive heart failure, hyperosmolar syndrome and hypertension.

Hygiene

• Sodium bicarbonate has also uses for personal hygiene. If you have no toothpaste, you can make effective toothpaste using sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide. Sodium bicarbonate is also used in many wet and dry deodorants. Its absorbing power helps to absorb much of the sweat and the smell that comes from daily perspiration. It has also been used in many antidandruff shampoos.

Cleaning Agent

• Sodium bicarbonate has been used to help clean more effectively. Making a paste with baking powder can help clean many stains on floors, counters, and any other surface area in your house. Using sodium bicarbonate with warm water can help get tarnish off of silver. It can also be used to remove pesticides from any plants you may have grown in your garden, including vegetables and fruits. Many laundry soaps contain high amounts of sodium bicarbonate. It will be used during the rinse cycle and it will help soften your clothes and remove any stained colors.

Other Uses

• Sodium bicarbonate has many other uses. For example, it has been used to put out small grease or electric fires. Do not pour it on fires in deep fryers as this will only make them worse by splattering the grease. It is used in dry chemical fire extinguishers for use in kitchens. It has also been used to clean paint. This process is called sodablasting. Pools and spas also use sodium bicarbonate to raise the pH levels. Many booksellers use it to get smells out of their used books. It's also used in laboratories due to how it reacts with acids and bases. It is also safe to use. Some athletes drink it dissolved in water, thinking it will help their performances. In fact, it will actually hinder their performances.