“THE CHEMISTRY OF BAKING SODA. HOW UNIQUE IS IT? ”

Baking soda or sodium hydrogen carbonate ( NaHCO3 ) is a common chemical element used for baking. When baking soda is used for baking, carbon dioxide (CO2), gas is formed. This is because, when heat is generated during baking , baking soda is broken down and CO2is produced, making the dough of bread or cake to rise. This is why cakes and breads have bubble like patterns on them.

We might think that baking soda is only used for raising the dough that we make for our cakes and breads. Baking soda is actually used for deodorizing acid based odours , washing ,cooking vegetables and reducing acne and scars. First of all, why baking soda is used for deodorizing and how does it work? Baking soda is alkaline as its pH is about 8.1. Therefore, it neutralizes and absorbs acid based odours. Examples of odours that can be removed by using baking soda are, refrigerator odour, pet odours, laundry odour , garbage odour and footwear odour. These odours are simply removed by just sprinkling baking soda at the place of the odour . In other words, baking soda acts as absorbent that absorbs bad odours.

Baking soda can also be used for washing and removing stains and dirt from kitchen utensils. Stains and dirt on kitchen utensils contain a substance called lipid or fat. Since baking soda is alkaline, it saponifies the lipid softens it. When the stain or dirt is loosened by the baking soda , it can be easily removed and washed by just using water. During the process of removing dirt and stains, baking soda reacts with the water used and brakes down into HCO¯3 and H+ ion in water. These negatively charged ions will attack the positively charged portions of the stain or dirt making it more easier to be expelled.

Baking soda can be used to cook vegetables. Baking soda is actually used to soften hard vegetables. How does baking soda work on vegetables ? Well, vegetables are made up of fiber and cellulose. Baking soda is alkaline , so it softens the vegetable’s fiber layer .

Speaking about reducing acne and scars, baking soda definitely can make that wonder happen too. Acne is caused by fungal infection and bacterias from hair follicles when hair falls onto the face. So, baking soda which is alkaline helps to neutralize the acidic environment surrounding the bacteria and fungi destroying the cell walls of the bacteria and fungi .In this case, baking soda can be used on the hair before shampooing. Moreover, for treating scars due to acne or pimples, baking soda is mixed with water and simply applied to the face . Baking soda acts as a natural exfoliant and has the ability to remove acne scars and blackheads left by pimples.

In a nutshell, baking soda or sodium hydrogen carbonate is not only used for baking or cooking but it is a versatile element which can be used for cleaning and keeping our skin scar free and flawless.