Because it’s a base, baking soda is a master at absorbing smells. Acidic odors (like rotting fish or sweaty gym socks) get neutralized by the alkaline baking soda. It doesn’t just cover them up—it chemically destroys them. That’s why you leave an open box in the fridge.
And it’s also why it can soothe a bee sting (which is acidic) but make a wasp sting worse (which is basic). If a wasp nails you, don’t grab the baking soda—grab vinegar. Pro tip: remember that before you go camping.
PPT - pH Scale and pH Indicators: Exploring Acids and Bases PowerPoint
The Real Reason You Shouldn’t Drink It Straight
Some folks swear by a teaspoon of baking soda in water as an antacid. And yes, it works—it neutralizes stomach acid fast. But please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t chug it like a soda. Too much can cause your stomach to explode like a science fair volcano, and you don’t want that on your rug.
Also, if you have high blood pressure, skip it—baking soda is loaded with sodium. It’s basically salty medicine that can turn your gut into a carbon dioxide bomb.
