Can You Mix Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda?

can you mix rubbing alcohol and baking soda

With a tough cleaning job on schedule, it is common to worry. And this worry takes individuals towards experimenting with different cleaning products.

However, when it comes to mixing different cleaning agents (especially commercial), generally, it is not safe.

Even if you use household chemicals and powders for cleaning purposes, never intend to mix them. Especially if you have Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda on your desk.

But why aren’t Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda meant for mixing? Here we have answers for the same:

What happens if you mix Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda?

The two most common chemical compounds available in our home pantry are Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda.

Both of them come in handy for endless jobs and undoubtedly do each of them wonderfully. But when it comes to mixing them both together, these chemicals aren’t meant for the task.

When you mix Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda together, it releases a toxic chemical known as Peracetic acid. When an individual comes in contact with the least amount of this chemical, he/she may feel irritation in the eye, nose, and skin.

Or, if the concentration is strong and exposure is long, it can lead the damage to mucous membranes and different internal organs.

As both Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda as their standalone are dangerous, toxic, and potentially fatal, they together can lead to hazards.

Baking Soda and Rubbing Alcohol reaction

Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda are both standalone chemicals, and thus mixing them leads to a Chemical reaction.

Baking Soda (NaHCO₃) + Rubbing Alcohol (C3H8O) = Peracetic acid (C₂H₄O₃)

Can you mix Rubbing Alcohol Vinegar and Baking Soda?

Using Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar together as a solvent is a common household practice. This mix of solutions comes in handy for cleaning glass, hard tiles, chrome, and other similar surfaces.

Unlike other chemicals, Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar does not react negatively but instead, make up for each other’s weaknesses.

However, for the idea of adding Baking Soda into this solution, always back out. Vinegar as a standalone can mix well with Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda; however, mixing all of them together can release toxic gases.

Thus, one should refrain from experimenting with all these three ingredients together. 

Is Baking Soda soluble in Alcohol?

Baking Soda is fully soluble in water, though it is slightly soluble with Alcohol.

What should you not mix with Baking Soda?

Baking Soda, which is pure Sodium bicarbonate, is a leavening agent. It comes in extremely handy from cooking to cleaning and multiple other household purposes.

Due to its weak base (sodium hydroxide) and weak acid (carbonic acid), it does not react harshly with other such substances and chemicals.

Though when it comes to solvents like Rubbing Alcohol, avoid mixing or using Baking Soda alone.

How to prepare a cleaning solution with Baking Soda?

A cleaning powerhouse, Baking Soda is a blessing for tough stains and long-kept residues.

This powdery white substance can cut through grease, leaving the base squeaky clean, and fresh.

If you have a packet of Baking Soda at home, you can literally drop all those chemical-rich cleaning products.

Here, is how to prepare a cleaning solution with Baking Soda at home:

  • For cleaning kitchen countertops, greasy chimneys, and other such surfaces, mix Baking Soda and Vinegar. Apply a thin layer over the required cleaning surface and leave it for at least 15 minutes. Later, sprinkle some water over, and using a scrubbing pad, scrub all through the dirty space. Finally, wash it with clean water.
  • For cleaning glass windows, take a damp microfibre cloth and sprinkle some Baking Soda on it. Now wipe the glass window with the same cloth and then follow it with a cold-water wash. On the one hand, Baking Soda will remove all the dirt and grime, though it won’t leave scratches on the glass.
  • For cleaning fabrics like mattresses, carpets, and couches, sprinkle a thin layer of Baking Soda over the cleaning section. For minor cleaning, leave it for nearly half an hour, though for major cleaning, extend the time up to 2 hours. After 2 hours, with the help of a vacuum cleaner or an upholstery attachment, clean all the Baking Soda. You will notice clean, odorless, and stain-free results thereafter. If you are concerned about Baking Soda’s smell on your couch or mattress, use a few drops of essential oil for that.
  • For cleaning drains, take two tablespoons of Baking Soda and half a cup of white vinegar. Pour both of the ingredients one after the other into the drain and let it sit for half hour. Follow it up with a hot water wash. Within no time, you will acquire a fresh and odorless drain.

Can I Use Baking Soda for skin whitening?

Is Baking Soda safe for the skin? When it comes to personal usage of Baking Soda, individuals across the world swear by it.

From using it for treating acne marks to whitening the dark armpits, there are a number of usages of Baking Soda you may find on the internet. However, in reality, one much refrain from using any such chemicals directly on their skin.

Skin which is healthy is also slightly acidic. Using Baking Soda on the same can remove the skin’s protective layer and hamper its pH balance. It can even leave skin prone to breakout, irritation, and infection.

That is why until you are in for a dermatologist session and an expert suggests you do so, avoid using Baking Soda on your skin.

Wrapping up…

On moving towards the end of this article, we strongly condemn mixing Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda.

When having these two excellent standalone ingredients, consider using them alone or with ingredients that are suitable for mixing.

However, always keep your research right if two ingredients aren’t meant for mixing, they can lead to a toxic chemical reaction.

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